Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-19
BY DIFFERENT ROADS
TOWN AND CITY LIMITS.
AT PLEASURE OF COUNCILS.
Senator Anderson Seeks to Have
Annexation Decrecd by Court
without Jury at Instance of City
Lnyr-Ial&erS.

Two bills of radically different provi-
siors for extending the corporate limits
Of cities have been introduced in the
Legislature and are now in the hands or
the proper committees, one fathered by
Senator George Wayne Anderson IN the
Senate and the other by Delegate w. NV !.
Baker in the House.
In response to a request for the salient
features of his bill Colonel Anderson
said last night that his measure contem-
plated the annexation of contiguous terri
tory on the invitation of the Councils OF
the cities concerned That whenever
Council deemed it desirable 1t may enact
an ordinance defining the territory pro-
posed to be annexed. when the city at
torney shall file in the Circuit Court OF
the county a copy of the ordinance, which
shall be regarded notice Of motion
for an order pei hitting the annexation.
THE DUTY OF THE COURT.
Thai II shall be the duty of the court
to inquire, without jury. whether the
CITY has made provision to give immediate
and adequate police protection to the ter
ritOry in question. and whether the CITY
has passed ordinances setting apart. for
a period of not less than i've years tne
revenues to be derived from taxation III
tho territory, or has otherwise made ade-
ouate provision for the rea sonabie ana
fair extension to the territory OF Its
system of gas. water and sewer, mains.
and for streets and fire protection; which
will not apply, however, in the case OIL
the annexation of town which already
has these conVel7iences.
II the court is satisfied that these re-
ouire1nents have been fairly complied
.l,o icS,l ar
the annexation ordinance.
There are various details modifying
these provisions to conform to the equities
of certain stated conditions. but these
are the broad outlines of the measure
proposed by Senator Anderson.
TWO SUPPLEMENTARY BILLS.
There are two supplementary bills pro-
viding for the boundaries and number OF
wards in cities. and for the representa-
ton of the wards, and reappor-
tionmcnt thereof in the City Councils.
sage.
DELEGATE BAKERS BILL.
The other bill, which was introduced
by Delegate W. w. Baker. and which is
now in the hands Of the Hcrse Committee
on Cities and Towns, provides that:
On a petition in writing. signed by not
less than three-fourths of the legal Vot-
orS ana by the owners OF not less imam
three-fourths lin assessed Value), of the
real estate in any territory contiguous
to any city or incorporated town, the
City Council or the Board of Trustees
may. by ordinance, annex such territory
upon filing copy of such ordinance, with
an accurate map of the territory annexed,
in the office of the clerk OF the court.
1t is provided that no portion less than
the whole of an Incorporated city or town
no cd n f1aa Ia
viCed In this act for the annexation of the
whole of an incorporated city or town
to another city or town.
Any two incorporated cities or towns
may be annexed to each other by an
ordinance passed by two-thirds vote of
the members of the City Council or trus-
tees. providing that existing rights and
liabilities are not affected or prejudiced.
And provided that such ordnance shall