The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-24
MR.. ROUNTREE MAY REMAIN
81 Will FaVOrably Reconsider Ny Res
ignatiOn to the Council He Says,
"AND WILL NOT DESERT UNDER FIRE"
Thus lie Spoke to the G. mmittee From th'
CLAY Ward Branch Of the Democratic
League for Good Government, Last
Nicht-The C,ty's Finances.

Gentlemen. assure YOU that deeply
aanrec.ato this honor. but can give you
10 positive answer tonight. however
you. gentlemen. as a committee may rest
assured that / will give your request my
most favorable consideration, ana VIII
notify you OF my decision later
Thus spoke Councilman Henry w.
Rountree. at his residence last night 10
the committee from the clay ward
branch of the Democratic League l"r
Good Government. who, on behat Oh the
Ciay-ward branch. called upon nm 10
repuest him to withdraw his resignation.
The committee consisted Of Colonel
John B. Purcell. Mr. Mann 5. Valentine.
and Mr. LittoNe Wilson. They were ap-
pointed az the Clay-ward branch meeting
of the league last night as "A result or
the following resolution, which was Of
ferod by Mr. Wilson and seconded by Col
onol Purcell.
MIR. WILSON'S REsOLUTlON
Resolved. That the Clay-ward branch
OF the Democratic League for Good Cow
ernment extend their thanks TO those
members of the city Council. who oy
their active interest and endeavors IN tho
work OF retrenchment and reform IN tho
city OF Richmond have merited the thanks
of the whole city. and that a committee
man from this ward. Mr. II. W. Roun-
tree and earnestly request that he with
draw his resignation now before the Coun-
ell. and continue in his good work until
the expiration OF his term
When this resolution was put before
the meeting Il was carried most unan-
mously. everyone voting In loud and no
uncertain tones. and clearly indicating
that they were thoroughly IN sympathy
with their Councilman. and that they IN
tended to stand by him. When the reso-
luton had been carried applause ana eN-
prcssions of approval were TO De heatd
on all sides. and as soon as the COM
mlttee had been appointed they were IN
structed 70 Immediately walt upon Mr..
Rountrce with the above result.
THE WARD MEETING.
Tho Clay Ward Branch Of the League
Tor Good Government met for organiza-
tion in Monroe Hall last night. A large
body of the city's most representative
citizens were present.
Mr. w. j. Kimbrough was elected
temporary chairman. and Mr.. Luther IL.
jenkins. secretary. Their election was
made permanent later. The bylaws
were adopted, and other routine business
transacted.
Tho following Executive Committee OF
the Ward Branch was appointed
Mossrs. John y. Minor. Il. l.. Winston,
John B. Purcell. W. j. kimbroueh, ..
II. Hankins. Julian Mccarthy W. ).
! Anderson. John b. Scott, william Trek
! Ter. and r. +. Walker
Colonel Purcell. IN a brief and clear adj
dress outlined the object OF the League
for Good Government. lie cited many
things connected with the city govern
ment that were calling for Investigation
and reform. lie clearly outlined the
fight that the League had before II IN
it's efforts at rotronchment and reform.
Attention was called 20 the one per
cent. clause Of the city's charter, bv
which one per cent or the city debt IS
required 10 be set aside as sinking
fund TO redeem the city's bonds. This frnd
is borrowed by the Finance Committee.
who give the city's notes. and when these
come due bonds AT lower rate have to be
issued to meet them. and thus the city
only gets deeper into debt.
It seemed TO be the general opinion that
the reduction OF the salaries Of the city
officials would have tendency 10 cause
these officials 20 endeayor TO stop the
| leaks in the citys finances that natural
| ly occur I'm their departments.
| The attention OF tho meeting was also
| called 20 tho misapproprie tion OF the
| city funds by the Committee on RELIEF
Of the Poor. Without any authority.
they appropriated City dollars 10 buy two
ovorcoats for the ambulance physicians.
and curtaied their contract az the
Powers Taylor Drug Company for medl-
cines 20 that extent.
WAITED OK MIR. ROUNTREE.
The next business was the Offering ana
adoption of Mr.. Wilson's resolution. after
which the meeting adjourned. and the
committee. accompanied by Times rep-
resentatlve. waited upon Mr. Ronntree.
That gentleman had retired when the
committee reached his residence. but IN
response TO n ring OF the bell. he camo
down and Hospitality received them.
Colonel Purcell. after a few brief re-
marks. announced the purpose OF their
visit. and Mr. Wilson read his resolution.
In reply. Mr.. Romtrce answered them
as has been stated above.
Continuing. he told the committee Of
the great opposition he had met with
IN the Council. and IN conclusion added.
'I have laid my personal feelings aside
IN this matter. From all sections Of thu
city. I have been receiving letters askin {
me 20 reconsider my resignation. / have
the city's best interest at heart. and for
that interest I am willing 20 make a
sacrifice while / give you no positive
| oneuyer to-rfrht believe YOU know that