The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-08

Sucn is Inc schedule or CouncilrnaniC
meetings outlined for this week.
Indications point to a rather dull week
in City Hal! circles. despite that the
Board OF Aldermen will hold Its regular
monthly meeting Tuesday night and In
addition several committees will get
together.
The Board will probably be in session
for some. time as much routine business
has GccMmulated. but no! matters OF i'm.
portance or special interest Will be con.
sidered unless Major otway S. Allen
bringssup his scheme for instituting an
investigation of the body with a view
TO- ascertain ifst there has been any cor
ruption among the members
AS will be remembered. the Comm on
Council defeated a resolution from the
Board: requesting the Legislature to so
amend the charter Of the city as to
give committee OF either branch such
powers as are now enjoyed by joint
body from the Board and the ! lower
branch.
AS a result Of this It would be useless
TO have appointed a committee from the
Board to push an investigation, but 1t
would be competent for tho Board to
Use Its best efforts to have the charter
so amended despite that the Common
Council does not look with favor upon
the scheme. 1t Is not known whether
any effort along this line will be made,
Major Allen refusing to discuss the ques-
ton.
II the statements and opinions of the
attorneys who are members OF the City
Council are to be relied upon as correct,
and they generally are, the Bottom
amendment. adopted by the Grounds
and Buildings Committee last Thursday
night. which requires that the speedway
at Reservoir Park shall not be used on
the Sabbath for the purpose of tests Of
speed or racing, Is Of no effect. In a
pent leaves a loophole which is quite
large enough for a horse and buggy to
pass through.
While the amendment apparently COW
ers the point desired by its Trainer,
namely the prohibition Of the use OF the
speedway on the Sabbath, 1T is the opin--
ION Of Alderman John B. Minor and
Councilman Gilbert K. Pollock. both OF
whom are well-known lawyers. that any
.itizen may continue to use the race
.ourse on the Sabbath. even II the Coun-
I'll adopts the amendment and it finally
becomes a law.
The wording OF the amendment, 1t
Ieerns. leaves a big hole, and practically
kills its efficiency. 1t says that the
speedway shall be open every day In the
week except Sunday for the purpose OF
speeding and racing. 1t says nothing
about jogging running, trottins, pacing
pr walking, and lastly, does not say that
the course shall noty-b be used at all for
any purpose on the Sabbath.
City Attorney Pollard seems inclined
TO view the amendment as does Mr.
Minor and Mr.. Pollock, holding that It is
entirely question of grammar. and not
law, In other words. he thinks 1t Is w
to the keeper of the, speedway to inter-
pref the amendment according to hi.
construction Of the grammar
However, It is probable that Mr.. Bot.
tom WIN strengthen his amendment when
tho matter comes up for consideration In
the Common Council.
1t is hardly probable that the Carnegie
Library Board will take any action al
their meeting Tomorrow afternoon, as
they have no duties to perform and are
now awaiting the action OF. the Council
on their application for money sutIictent
to purchase site for the proposed
library.
Messrs. Curtis, satterheld and o'Neil
Will hold n meeting Wednesday night tc
consider the charges of Incompetence
PRESCRIBED against Mr.. J, r. OGrady
clerk to the Board Of Health.