Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-01
A Card from Chairman Dawson.

10 the Editor OF the Dispatch:
The changes which have been advo-
gated by some OF the members of the
Chamber OF Commerce TO the present
charter OF this city have caused con-
siderable comment from all classes Of
the people. IL Is very natural that this
should be the result OF those sugges-
tons because II Is their object TO make
very radical departure from the me-
iAoIs by which the city has been here
tofore managed. The people OF Rich
moud so FAR as / am advised, have al
ways taken a deep interest In the affairs
o. their own government, and they would
lot Dee true 20 their citizenship or worthy
c, the responsibility of voters If they
ola rr desire and insist upon having
voice. either fOT or against, any new
ana Wrtr.ei experiments.
As have been somewhat active in my
opposition % the methods by which the
Aforementioned changes were to have
Deem made as provided for in the bills
GRATED oy The committee OF gentlemen
rom tte Chamber Of Commerce. / have
nor escaped adverse criticism from those
VINO favored the new move. and. as my
position BIAS heretofore been incorrectly
STATED by The press, l desire. with your
h'Ad indulgence. TO make IL plain.
tton ~ chairman OF the party, it was
improper for me 10 take any part In the
controversy. and one of our daily papers
reported me as having made a very
Illtr speech al the meeting held in the
AaI q the House Of Delegates in oppo-
ton 20 the proposed charter amend
MIS- IN reply 90 these charges, l
nave only this 10 say: When / assumed
the duties and responsibilities OF that
position ] did not relinquish my rights
ana privileges as a citizen. My object.
however throughout the whole Of this
Atht has been to harmonize the party
ava 70 prevent a seemingly threatened
breach On It's ranks before IL became too
we 20 admit Of healing without leaving
G. sears. II the recOnciling of differ
sh.'s in the ranks Of the party OF which
i nave The honor 10 be chairman is not
tAt OF the first and most important
Caues Of that position. ] am frank TO
- have greatly mistaken those duties.
4Lose who know me intimately. who
nave been my associates In party-work
ana who are. therefore. most competent
F" Judge OF the motives which have ac-
'-aiel me in this. and in every other
l~.n' move which l have made, VIII
'"1o'ae the assertion that l have never
sN'"r any lack OF appreciation for the
i-.t'tNiAlrs OF my position, anu tHdt
nave no least endeavored. by faithful
o'sehafge Of my duty. as / have seen it,
20 merit the confidence and approval OF
'Nose who honored me with trust so
t'ei,d have endeavored always to con-
t.-'r. first the interests OF the party,
irsaflless OF my own desires or opinions
me POSITION which / have taken in the
controversy under discussion has been
10 exception TO the rule of public conduct
"n.h mas heretofore been my guide.
"hen the proposed bills first came from
'he hands OF the committee 10 which
they were referred by the Chamber OF
commerce, my knowledge OF the temper
OF The people OF this city was sufficient
70 convince me that they would never sub
H"l 10 them In that shape. and was
tuhciently weather-wise to at once fore
'ei The coming storm. / then advised,
ana j have always advised, those who
were most bitterly opposed to them, TO
express their opposition with temper
Ahce. / have carefully RETAINED from In
eulglng In any remarks that could be
construed as a reflection on any individual
Vf body. and l have imputed only the
oesi motives to those who originated the
measures.
When l appeared before our represen-
'auyes al the meeting held In the hall
OF The House OF Delegates, suggested
,he adyisability OF appointing a commit
se OF I'VE 70 meet the committee named