The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-09-22
PORT III.

that came under mylpersonal observa-
tlon. A small tenement belonging to q
widow had just been vacated. She found
another tenant and was engaged in
cleaning UP the lot for him. Not know
ing the law. she had employed u man,
who was wheeling the debris on the
streets. l warned him that IL he did not
TAX 1t Immediately In he would be fined.
He carried 1t back. and In q little while
l was interviewed by the widow, who
said there were several cart loads of 1t,
II that II was not able to buy boxes
and barrels. and that the tenant whose
trash she was cleaning up went out ow-
Ing her many months rent. / told her I
was sorry, but the law was an %incxora-
BILE one and must be obeyed. The con-
sequence was hat the lot in question
was three weeks in being cleaned up, q
few boxes being put out on stated days.
1 would respectfully mention in passing
that his widow regularly pays her
taxes.
1 have endeavored always to be very
respectful 10 the Council, and 1 feel sure
that there Is only one member Of your
body who has drawn around himself the
awful circle which Is unapproachablc
and nvulnerablc. 20, thou who art max
linus in minimis. when the long roll of
thy wrath again beats, whittier shall l
ilec2"
In conclusion, I present for your con-
sideratlon a grave matter which affects
the legal working of the city governs
ment. l see that at the last meeting
of the Council the oath of Office of Mr..
Montague as third assistant engineer
of the fire department was received and
fled.
! respectfully call you attention to the
following extract from article 6. section
20, Constitution of Virginia: members
of Common Council shall hold no other
office In cities. All laws or city ordi-
nances in conflict with the preceding
section shall be void from and after the
adoption OF this constitution" From the
above 1t is clear that Mr.. Montague is
not a member OF the Council, and as
chief executive Of this city. In pbed-
iencc to the Constitution of the State. it
becomes my solemn duty to warn you
that no public act OF his as Councilman
Is legal. nor was his act at your last
meeting legal, when he presented the
motion, which purely in Difference to
you. l have swc in the foregoing
lines. I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
]. THOMPSON BAIRD,
Mayor.
On motion 50 much of the communi-
cation as referred TO n certain ordinance
" So ~ IL SJlllillil-
tee for amendment.
Mr.. Bacillus objected to the words bad
manners being used in the communica-
ton, and said that he would move that
the communication be accepted with the
words bad manners cXpunged. He
would never agree to it's acceptance
otherwise.
Mr.. Reed said that he was not opposed
to the words being used. It was a
n,1 ~ fnt.t 1nA rn,,NnI1 .. l., - -~1
the resolution, as they did not carry out
their rules Themselves. There were
members on the board who had no right
there. Some who furnished goods con-
ttary to law, others who did not pay
their taxes, and others who had no right
there under the law. He thought that
the Mayor was very mild In his com
munication, and the Council necded q
lacking UP. They had no business call
Ing upon the Mayor 10 know why he did
not do so and SO. He said that tho
Council was becoming q. laughing stock
in the community.
MIR. Crimson said he did not recognize
the Mayors right to accuse him of bat
manners. The Mayor had no ,ight L
criticlse the Council either az 4 body IL
Council or oil the streets.
Mr.. Reed said that he thought a Coun
Gilman should pay his taxes or set out
, L I a. oul W pace " II Hltll q DC CON
tinuously advertising people for lake
and requiring the collector to try an,
collect the same, when he didn't pay hi
own
Afr. King said he did not him The &C
+, tion OF the Council at its last mcetin;
justified the Mayor in using tho VOID
bad manncn:." He said that in defer
ence to h Mayor he considered that Mr.
Montague was as much a member of tn,
| l,,,a -, L. $40 60, a -. -
third assistant engineer of the fire de
partment. and he would so hold until h,
was convinced otherwise. a vote wa!
taken on Mr.. Backus' motion, which wa
LOST to 8.
Mr.. Reed moved that the communica
ton of the Mayor be received and /
was received by a vote of 6 to 1.
MIR. Reed moved that the City Attor
ney be requested to give his opinion 4
the next meeting In regard TO any mem
Der OF the council holding two offices.
NEW BUSINESS.
The Commissioner Of Revenue sug
mitted his account OF the valuable tax,
able property In the city.
On motion it was referred to the Fin.
ancc Committee.
Mr.. Backus moved that the Ordinance
Committee bring In an ordinance pro
hfbitins the city employees from en-,
gaging in other business. He amended
the motion by saying the police and the
paid iiremen be not allowed to engage
in any other business.
MIR. Reed objected, and said that ht
Thought If n man could make n dollar
and attend to his busineEs he fhculd be
allowed to do 50.
y vote was taken on Mr.. Backus' mo.
ton, and 1t was lost by a vote OF I to 3
Mr.. Reed moved that n committee O.
three be appointed from the Council t,