Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-05
Office Of Clerk Of the House Of Delegates
and Keeper of Rolls in Virginia
e''H

January A. 1897.
The FOREGOING is q copy Of a provision
Of an act. entitled an act 10 amend and
re-enact sections 10, o. 81. and g. and SUBJ
divisions and Of section ~ on me char-
Ter of the city Of Richmond. Approved
February %. 1902 j. BELL BIGGER.
Clerk House OF DELEGATES ana Keeper Oh
Records Of Virginia.
This amendment to the city charter was
adopted by the General Assembly at the
time the Lee District was annexed to
the city. and has probably been overlook
ed by most Of our people.
According to our Interpretation Of the
language of the charter, such question
could not be submitted at the election in
May Of this year Cwhen a City Treasurer
only is TO be elected. but would have
to be deferred to the regular city cleo
ton" 20 be held in May. 1895.
Let no member seek TO avoid response
bility in this matter by agreeing to sub
nit this question TO q popular vote In
such event the people Of Jackson Ward
would be as influential in deciding the
question as those of Clay Ward. Fur
thermore. the Jackson Warders would
probably 30 TO the polls in such force 10
support the proposition. they might,
with the aid of a small percentage Of
whites. also carry the election OF Mayor,
commemorative Attorney, City Sergeant,
High Constable Sheriff, etc. and men,
bers Of both branches Of the City Coun-
Gil.
Nothing but trouble could be expected
of a reference Of this question TO the
people II could only be carried at the
polls by the solid colored vote being cast
for it; and the taxpayers Of Richmond
would never be satisfied with decision
reached by any such agency. The fact
that Richmond's parting with this pro-
oerty would impair her credit would not
be taken into consideration by those peo-
pie. Towering far above that conside-
ration would be- with them, the idea
that i'm the hands OF a private corpora
lion. either as lessees or owners, the
eas-works would probably become the
rroployer OF much negro labor. But. even
though a provision should be inserted
IN the lease or contract Of sale that none
but white labor should be employed at
itc works. provision which might have
10 stand the test of the United States
corr.s-thc temptation would still re-
main With the Republicans black and
white. 10 vote faye" because in 50 doing
the Democrats might be cut out OF a
considerable amount of patronage
The influence OF gas companies in the
q.
40 baneiul so debauchng, that We cam
not but dread the prospect of seeing our
a.s-Morks pass out Of the city's control.
or course. II we had any assurance that
tic personnel Of the company organized
TO lease or buy the works would always
remain as when We passed over the works
lo il. we might be relieved from alarm
on this score; but no such assurance
could be given. stockholders would in
time die, and their holdings would pass
10 others. Other stockholders might fail
In business. and tneir holdings might
have 20 be sold at public auction SO We
could not be sure Of the personnel of the
company for a series OF years. But. we are
free % say. that. even If we could be sure
the Dispatch Is opposed 70 the city's part
ing with the control Of her gas-worlis.
We would support any proper movement
20 make the management Of the works
more effective. but we ho,d to the belief
that the interests Of the public would be
le.tor served by municipal ownership
than by private ownership. There has
been cuipable laxlty IN the management
OF the gas-works IN the past; bat II was
q misfortune. the ike Of which has at
tended some banking institutions, manu-
&faciuriDz and mercantile concerns, etc.
~. and was due 10 the same cause.
Rhjlst 50 many cities are seeking to