Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-21
GOES TO THE COUNCIL
STREET COMMITTEE so DIsPOSEs
OF THE CLOPTON MATTER.
DEFENCE OF The CITY ATTORNEY
lie Presents n Letter from Judge
Ingram Showing That Manchester's
Interests Were Not AGccted-Othcr
Items. ..y.
Items

Tho Street Committee OF the Manches-
ter Council met yesterday afternoon at
$50 o'clock 10 investigate a question raised
in a resolution offered by Councilman w.
I. Hart at the last meeting OF the Coun-
Gil, az to whether In a certain land suit
the city's interest had been neglected or
not by Judge William 7. Clopton. City At
torney, and lively session 1t was, with
some show, at least, of bitterness.
All the members OF the committee were
present, as follows: Mathew Morton
chairman. John OBren, ]. r. Green.
w. II. Hart. and II. o. Randlett. Mr..
Harris resolution, which authorized this
meeting, runs as follows:
Resolved, That the election OF City At
torney be postponed until the next regu-
lar meeting. and tho Street Committee
look into the ownership Of certain pro-
perry near the Free Bridge, which belongs
to the city OF Manchester, Va, by con-
demnation, and in suit by the Mayo
Bridge Company this property was award
ed to the said company, and the Street
Committee report back 20 the Council IL
the next meeting"
THE SUIT IN QUESTION.
The suit referred 10 here came up be-
fore Judge Ingram In last Aprlps term Of
the Manchester Hastings Court II was
brought by the Mayo's Bridge and Land
Company against Powell for The recovery
OF a strip of land lying near the Free
Bridge. Judge Clopton represented the
Mayo's Bridge Company. Counsel in each
side agreed for the jury to be dismissed,
and the argument TO be made before Judge
Ingram. This was done, and the case
was decided In favor OF the Mayo Bridge
people. Mr.. Hart claimed before the
Council, and yesterday afternoon before
the committee, that Judge Clopton, IN be-
coming counsel in this case. did no: pro-
tect the city. and allowed her interests 10
DO Jeopardized.
JUDGE CLOPTON'S DEFENCE.
When this charge was made Judge Clop-
ton offered the following letter from Judge
Ingram, In yindication of himself:
Hon. William !. Clopton Manchester. Vat
Dear Sir,-At your request 1 write to
gay that In the suit or the Mayo's brIdge
and Land Company VS.. Powell, recently
decided by me, that the judgment render
ed In this cause I'm no wise Affects the
title OF the city OF Manchester 70 the !
strip of land between Mathew Gilmors's |
property and the street iust this side OF |
the Southern railroad arch.
The property. which was condemned by |
the Free Bridge commissioners for a |
street or entrance TO the bridge, still be- |
longs for that purpose TO the Free Bridge |
or the city OF Manchester, |
and IN my opinion I distinctly so stated. |
and that the judgment awarded the plain
tiff was subject TO the easement OF a /
street, the recovery OF the judgment In
ejectment being subject TO any easement
In the public to use the land recovered
as street or highway
In the decision Of this case the city
neither gained nor lost any OF It's rights,
and whatever rights 1t had before the de-
cision it has now. This, OF course, is an
smpersonal communication.
Hoping this may be satisfactory l re-
main, yours respectfully.
SoHN II. INGRAM
THOUGHT HIMSELF INsULTED
During the course Of Judge Cloptons
remarks, Mr.. Hart understood, as did Dir.
Green also, that what he was saying was
meant as an afrront 20 them, and both
promptly demanded an explanation with
some heat The City Attorney explained
TO their satisfaction that there was no
thing offensive in his remarks, and the
remainder pf the 'session passed on
quietly.
After much discussion a motion was
made 10 refer the whole matter To- the
Council without rec0mIr endation OF any
sort This was adopted. IL was by this
lime quite late. and the Sefnmes-street
gfaduct matter was carried over until
he next meeting Adjournment followed.
AN UNIQUE SITUATION.
The situation is quite unique. Two votes
nave been taken for City Attorney, and
.ach time the same members were pres
mt. and the result was a TIE bstwsen
Judge Clopton and Mr.. Charles l.. Page,
yhose names were each time presented.
Al both these meetings two members
we're absent--Nessrs. John Z. Utz ani
Iar,es Y. Abbott II is not kaown how
hey will vote, and tho friends OF Judge
,iopton and those Of Ar. Page are equal
Y emphatic In their assertions OF final
uccesS
TITLE NOT CLEAR.
A halt has been summarily called In tbs
going on which were 20
ring the ovsrail-faetory TO Manchester,
nd on yesterday morning very grave
ears were being entertained Upon ex-
mining the title TO the lot at Twenty
rst and Decatur streets which the cfey
yas 10 buy TO erect the plant on, Judge
,iopton was convinced that the city
ould not get q good deed TO n. In short.
here was no way open but 10 abandon
This left the city In dilemma. The
yerall people had picked out this lot.
No wanted II above ell others. There IL
mother vacant lot on the next corner
. this which the city hAA 0seten en- sp-