Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-01
HE suouIp RESIGN AT ONCE.

The action OF the Common Council in
the case OF Mr.. Grimes not only leaves
Mr. Crimes a member Of that body, but
Chairman of the Committee on Light.
That this is not satisfactory to the public
goes without saying. Mr.. Grimes ought
20 resign at once, and thus relieve Els
party and the Council Of their embar-
rassment The Republicans as party
have declined TO assume any response
bility In the matter. as was shown by
the absence from the meeting of the Com
mon Council of the four colored members
from jackson Ward. And We should
think that Mr.. Grimes would feel I'M
comfortable sitting in body. the ma
jority of whose members had voted to
expel him.
A number of members OF the Common
Council seem to have assumed that Mr..
Qrimes's offences against the laws were
80 small as not TO warrant expulsion.
This Is a strangely erroneous view. The
position of councilman is one Of honor
not OF emolument or profit, and coun-
Gilman surely forfeits all right to his seat
In such a body, when, for personal GAIN
he violates the law. as Mr., Grimes cid.
Moreover, Mr. Grimes, as chairman OF
the Committee on Light. was giving a
conspicuously bad example to others.
when he. who was chosen as the special
guardian of the citys interests. was HIM
self offending against the law.
Indeed. 1t was not necessary to show
that Mr.. Grimes had broken any law at
all: the Common Council would have been
testified In expelling him merely upon
proof that his conduct was unworthy OF
n councilman. Time and again have ON
GERS of the army and navy been CASH
Tered "for conduct unbecomng officers and
gentlemen" where there WIS no charge
Brought that they had violated the law
Much greater was the obligation of the
Council to expel Mr.. Grimes, because IN
his case II was not denied that he mad
Violated the law, and 1t could not be
questioned that his status In this matter
was unbecoming one who is not only
member of the Common Council, but is
The chairman of the Committee on
Light, and as such is expected to hold
ali subordinates TO a strict accountability.
But. failing In expelling him, the Com
mon Council proceeded to adopt a resolu-
ton, which, while declaring that Mr..
Grimes had violated the law In being
interested In a contract made with the
city. and in permitting city employees 10
give orders upon their wages In payment
OF debts due him." provided that the
"council doth hereby Feprimand and CEN
sure him for the same"
The recommendation Of the investigating
committee, that Mr. Grimes be expelled
required twenty votes to adopt 1t, but as
we have said, these IL failed TO get The
vote I'm @>vor OF that resolution was 1s, to
lvotes( gainst 1t. Thus tho opinion of the
majority Of the Council was expressed
that Mr.. Grimes ought not 10 have a seal
amongst them. and we think he wouio
40 well for himself and show proper
Difference to public opinion by resignins
Mr. Crimes. as was natural. made th'
best possible fight for himself, and ne
Mas won something more than half
victory, and he ought now to relieve tn'
Council OF the embarrassment II VIII FEE
whilst he continues q member Further
more. Mr.. Grimes owes, something to his
party. In short, viewed from any stano
point, he ought 20 resign.