The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-23
NEW WARDS.

Under the presen. Constitution 1t is
necessary that this city shall DO divided
anew into wards, so that representation
shall be apportloned as equally as prac-
1 ticable. and a committee of the City
Council is now at work preparing an or
Ginance on the subject.
Ante bellum Richmond had but three
wards-Jefferson. Madison and Monroe.
These served all the purposes of that
day and generation, when our population
was nothing like as great as 1t is now,
and when there were none but white vot-
ero to consult. a few years after the
close of the Confederate war our corpo-
| rate limits were extended, and much ter
ritory was annexed from the county of
Henrlco Marshall Ward, in the East
End, and Clay Ward, in the West End
we're then formed. And when at length
the negro was enfranchised, and after
the State and city governments passed
Into Democratic hands. jackson Ward
was created
This ward was not named after either
"Old Hickory" or "stonewall." but after
plain Mr.. Jackson, whose name had been
previously given to Jackson Street.
venerable and much respected member OF
this family for fifty years held posi-
ton in the Office Of the Auditor OF Pub
lie Accounts, and was the owner OF much
property in the neighborhood in question.
His residence, we believe, was q. large,
cld-fashloned house near the northwest
corner OF Leigh and Second Streets.
The freedmen flocked to that section of
the city by thousands, and vastly out
numbered the whites. To make the other
wards OF the city safely Democratic
"shoe string district" was laid off under
the name Of Jackson Ward. For a long
time that ward sent Republican mem
bers to the City Council, but in late years
the Democrats gained control OF 1t, too.
The whites OF Jackson Ward never
relished its being known as negro ward,
and always claimed that that was hurtful
to their property interests. but recognize
ing the political necessity which prompted
the action of the authorities, they nave
borne their burden patiently and patriot
ically. Now, with restricted electorate.
no such necessity exists, and Jackson
Ward, as a corral for negro voters, no
doubt Will be effaced from the map. That
territory will, we suppose, be absorbed
into several other wards. This will be
a noteworthy result OF the redivision Of
the city into wards.
Another good result to be expected will
he the equalization of population, ward by
ward, more nearly than obtains at pres
ent. But lately Clay Ward was split in
two and Lee Ward created-an advance
in the right drection-but still other
changes are demanded, some In the East
End.
The Council committee charged with
the consideration OF this subject has an
important work to do. and we trust It
will do 1t so thoroughly and we'll that
its wisdom may be manifest to all. Per-
sonal and political interests may some
times clash with public interests, but we
hope the latter will be given the right
of way "every time The redvision is
desira ble-necessary, indeedto equalize
representation In the Board Of Aldermen
and Common Council AS matters stand,
that Is III provided for. and the correc-
ton should be applied in the ordinance
which is to be prepared by the commit
90 T. q