The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-26
TO TAKE ACTION TODAY.
the HOLsE COMMITTEE 10 PASS
UPON THE CHARTER CHANGES.
Ills Understood That the Committee is
About Evenly Divided on the Bill.
Further Arguments Heard.

The House Committee on Counties.
cities. and Towns. met yesterday morn
ing aud the bills rocking to amendments
TO the city charter were taken up. MI.
Enyson. chairman of the committee that
drafted the measures was the first speak
er. He stated that it was nothing unus-
nal for citizens OF a town OF city 10 ask
to have the charter of the MUNICIPALITY
amended or altered. lie then went on To
sa,. mat the Chamber Of Commerce had
considered the bills only from business
standpoint. The fact that the measure
had the endorsement Of the ChdmDei,
the Tobacco Trade, and the Cotton ana
Grain Exchange was. he thought ample
evidence Of the fact that the business IN
terests Of Richmond desired the changes
Mr.. Flivson said the Chamber had not
taken snap-iudgment. The matter OF es-
tabfishing more commissions had Deeh
discussed in public and private ioi many
months. public meeting had peen heid
by the Chamber or Commerce anu p,th
sides Of the question were discussed. MI
FIvson went into an explanation of the
hills and the neeG Of the changes. lie
argued that the fault was with the sys'
tenn bv which the municipal affairs were
conducted, especially the finances
Chairman Digs brought up the question
as to what was decided 10y the Demo
cratic primary last October lie read nom
three Richmond papers locals pubiished
the dav after the election, all OF them
saving that the result was that the peo-
nile were satisfied with the present char
ter and wanted no changes.
Mr. Eilvson replied that tho chambef
Of commerce Was not responsible Tor
WIZ, the papers said. The vote Ia thaf
primary meant that the present com
missions should not be intertered WIFI
il II meant anything at all. The ques-
ton Of more commissions was not Iotsu
unon. Mr. Eilyson suggested that II the
hius are passed a Democratic primary
might he held 10 determine how the DEM
ocrats should vote I'm the general election
when the question OF whether or NOT
the measures shall become effective VIII
be decided
MIR. TURP1N'S VIEWS.
Mr. William NJ Turpin, president OF
the Board Of Aldermen, followed MT.
Fllvson. and made "A very earnest ana
vigorous speech against the bills. start
ing ont. ne said Mr.. ElIyson had made
these bills appear as very innocent nttie
things. while they were most dangerous
measures The sum and substance OF
this matter was whether or not the people
OF Richmond were able 10 govern tht g"
selves. These bills, Mr.. Turpin declared
we're an Insult TO the people OF the city.
He went into an explanation OF the pro-
visions of the acts. and orgued that II
,bev should become laws the people o.
tbfs city Will be shackied and at the
merc,. of n few men. Mr. Turpin remind
ed the committee that Mr.. Ellyson was
MAYOR OF Richmond for several years
and IL was his sworn duty 10 examine
all departments. therefore, he should Fave
discovered the shortage at the gas-works
He told the committee that the city Coun.
ell was not an extravag9nt body lie ap-
pealed to the advocates or the bllls 10
know how the expenses OF the city might
be reduced, but received no reply. Inc
speaker said the Council had granted
many appropriations asked for by bust
ness men, and they had no reason 10
KICK The only appropriation the poor
neople have asked for lately was 5000
10 widen Lester street. and that was re-
fused Mr. Turpin spoke about twenty
minutes His "hOt-ahots" at the opposi-
ton were applaudcd by the spectators UNI
III Mr. Turpin asked them TO make no
demonstration. During his talk the speak
or said: III Mr. Eilyson were
candidate for office now he would not be
supporting these bills.
CHAIRMAN DAWSON.
Mr.. Dawson was selected by the Clay
Ward delegation 10 represent his ward
before the committee. In beginning his
remarks he said that he appeared before
the committee with hesitancy and ditii-
dence. because he was surrounded by
gentlemen who were so much more ex-
perienced IN such matters than nim-
self He said that he was not prepared
10 discuss al length the merits or de-
merits of commissions. but that his posi-
ton I'm the controversy was that the
Democratic voters had. by their vote.
decided that they did not desire any char
ter change. and he thought that their
decision ought TO be final He also said
that he did not believe that II would
be a wise party measure to sgttate at this
time. because he thought II would cause
a split In the party and estrange mum,
Der OF Democratic voters. He referred
"a the coming fall elections. and said that
the Democratic party would need a solid