The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-15
LENGTHY SESSION
Of CITY ASSEMBLY [: |: .Y
Manchester BodyDiscusses Fran
chise Of Southern Bell.
IN FAVOR OF HEAVY FINES
Some Members Favor Vigorous Meas
ures, and Regard Old Company as
"Trespasser' Matter to Come
Up Later. However.
Manchester Bureau. Richmond Times,

Manchester Bureau Richmond Times.
no. 1902 Hull Street
j.. a meeting of the City Assembly last
might the much discussed proposition OF
the legality OF the Southern Bell Tele-
phone Company In operating here without
n franchise held the attention of the
members for something over an hour.
finally being sent to The Ordinance Com
sllii,ee. No sooner was the resolution o.
the committee introduced in the Assembly
than letter was read by City Attorney
Judge William /. Clopton from Mr. Hunt
Chipley, superintendent OF the company,
saying that he had received no notice
ether than that seen in the Leader OF
the question being brought up. and also
calling attention to the fact that the
City Council could grant no franchise un-
Ill the Legislature had passed an ena-
tl,ng act to the Constitution. which at
present provided for nil franchises to be
let 10 the highest bidder at a public auc-
ton. Mr.. C. l.. Petit fought vigorously
for the adoption OF the ordinance recon-
sntnded by the Ordinance Committee,
& whereby any telephone company doing
Business in the city without q franchise
should be fined not less than s25 or more
than $3.50 but in view of the facts brought
nut by Mr.. Chipley in his letter it was
deemed wise to wait Until the next meet
jng of the committee. when. II possible
the officials OF the company will be pres
ent.
For over twenty years this telephone
company has been been doing business
In Manchester without franchise. About
SIX months ago the company made ap-
21llcation for a franchise
ION CONDITION. ONLY"
The councilmen said they would not
grant a franchise unless it said that
rates charged in Manchester SHOULD not
be in excess of those for Richmond. To
this the company demurred and with
drew the application.
Mr.. Petit has s'snited his intention
OF taking the company before the Mayor
ms trcspassers.
But the officials Will be in attendance
pt the next meeting Of the Ordinance
Committee and there will possibly be
ZONE wrangiEng then.
Tfe amount of fines collected in the
Mayors Court for ten meetings of Sep
ternber were net s1l5Je5. the largest
amount taken III for years.
Mr.. L. ". Wells. attorney for the
6eaboard Air Line. appeared for informa-
lion relative to the placing OF a light at
Second and Stockton Streets, and making
his railroad pay for it. He was given
the records in the case and will take
the matter, up with his company.
THE MAYORS MESSAGE
Messrs. G.:iz2aTd Sampson and. Gill
We're appointed from the lower body to
act with two members of The Board OF
Aldermen in looking into the message
of the Mayor.
The resolution from the Finance Com
,nittee reducing the bond of the special
city collectors, Charles Wake from
$1,000 to 5000 was passed by the body.
The report of the Water Commission
ers was received and a vote of thanks
extended to Superintendent Sparks.
a resolution by President Wakefield.
that the water for the schools be given
free. was adopted after being fought
hard.
Woodward & Sons were allowed the
privilege of constructing spur track
near tan yard in tie First Ward.
A resolution OF Mr.. Gill to appoint
committee of five to assist the collector
l of delinquent taxes was lost.
Mr. Sampson made a strong speech for
more cars between 6 and A. NJ. and
and P. NJ, and succeeded in having
a resolution instructing the company to
this effect passed.
"A petition from some fifty citizens
pskng that the city purchase old Central
Church, Was referred to q special conf
mittee of five, who will inquire into the
rost and report back. For several months
many have been led to believe that the
property would be sold TO negroes, and
ritizens in the neighborhood are growing.
Indignant and wish the city to bly, the
property.
a n i rs
Lipscon,b enjoyed some two hours or
more yesterday afternoon in hunting in
4 Chesterfield county, aid as 2 result one
of the finest specimens of red foxes seen
for years is hanging in the police station
here.
WENT TO SHOW
All Manchester went to the Horse
Show last night. The small and the
large locked elbows, the rich and the
poor rubbed against each other, the
ktvl SHY dressed had seats bS the side
Of those less conspicuous. and the cars
Of the two lines through the city We're
crowded. On reaching Seventh and
Perry Streets there came a rush. 1t was
The people from Petersburg.
SMALLEST CRIMINAL.
In experience twenty years old in gen.
eral cusscdness fifty. in statue about
seventeen inches. and resembling very
much an alligator bait, Joseph James
Nest, a very dinlinrtive negro. answered
to the charge of being found in the
grocery sore of r. a. Bowen yesterday
morning early. Against the little pick
nninny there was evidence sufficient to
warrant the Mayor In sending him to Jail
for fifteen DAYS. after which he will be
gent TO the refornatory-
And The stick of licorce" never ouiy-
cred when the sentence was pronounced
When Messrs Bowen went 10 their store
yesterday morning they discovered lying
on the counters and other places cans
nj beef aud other things with the heads
cut out of them. About a half hour
laier Joseph James West was found be-
hind barrel.
PERSONALS AND BRIEFS.
Miss Marion Robertson. Of Savannah,
Ca. and Miss Mayme Lyons. OF Peters
burg. arc the guests OF Miss Helen Rob-
srtson. of Woodland Heights
Mrs Whitehead and her sister, Mrs.
Niles. who have been spending the sum
mcr in White Mountains. Mass, nave.
returned TO the city.
Al. ,a,3t,