The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-10
Cemeteries NOT
TO BE RE0PENED.
Barton Heights Citizens Associ-
alton Reject Petition Of Col
ored Section Holders.
GIVE LENGTHY REASONS.
Fear Mismanagement and Peril
to Health, of Community.
Too Many Inferred.

The Barton Heights Citizens Associa-
ton met last night and denied the peti-
tion OF the lot owners in the colored
cemeteries for the rcopenng OF the
grhveyards closed some time ago by order
OF the Town Council. There were several
spirited talks by come OF the represents
i've citizens and by a few of the coli
ored people for and against the opening
or the cemeteries. There WAC no IlI-fecl-
ing manifested, and the petitioners took
the outcome very calmly and made no
show of feeling that things had pon.
against them The meeting dispersed very
quietly, and there was no talk maaa
pupliciy OF any appeal being made TO the
legislature. though there Is known to
be some movement on foot for that MIR
pose.
Among those who talked on the subject
were Mcssrs. Otway Alien, W. K. Bache.
John E. Rose. w. J.. Ragland Thomas
w. Gardner, Lewis o. Windenberg and
others After all the arguments for and
against the petition had been heard
the following resolution was offered AMI
adopted:
THE Citizens Association of Bar
ton Heights has heard with the ain
pathy the petition which has been
presented for the repeal of the ordin-
ance of the town concerning burtals
In the colored cemeteries in the limits
OF Barton Heights and the addresses
which have been delivered In support
OF this petition.
We recognize the spirit and the
motive OF the petitioners a. thor
oughly creditable and pra!seworthy. III
tSFA Hfrs.rY III.
eteries IN the way Indicated In the
petition without serious incon-
venience and probable peril to the
health Of the community we would
gladly favor some modification OF the
existing law. In view of all the cir
cumstances, however. we are reluc-
family compelled to decline to recon-
mend to the Council the repeal or
any modification OF the ordin/nce as
1t now stands. The reasons which
Influence us In this action are as
follows.
First. All the testimony available
goes to show that already too many
are buried In these grounds. 1t seems
to be unquestioned that again and
again two or three bodies arc in the
same grave. 1t Is estimated that be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 are interrvd
within the limits of these grounds.
Second. The admitted and long
continued mIsmanagemert of the
cemeteries makes IL impracticable to
determine with any degree of GER
tainty Just what, II any. portions of
the cemeteries are free OF grave.
rhere are no available records of
burial, no plats or maps: and we
must rely almost wholly upon the
testimony OF sections and grave
d!ggers. which has been found In the
past efforts Of the town OF Barton
Heights to regulate the burial wholly
unsatisfactory and untrustworthy.
Third Even II we could identify
beyond question any portion of these
grounds which has not been already
used for sepulchres and could open
such portion, this would afford a very
limited. partial and temporary relief,
for the territory. thus unoccuiped
must be extremely limited, and we
should soon be confronted with the
necessity OF taking action similar to
that already taken.
I'VE recognize the excellent work
which the Section Holders Associa-
ton. whose petition we have been
considering. has taken for the inn
provcment and protection OF the GEM
etery grounds and deeply regret that
the way does not seem open to US
TO respond fayorably to their re-
quest"