The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-13

The Board Of Aldermen held last night
the most remarkable session in Its entire
history. the feature Of the session being
the disclosure Of the existence of d pow
crful secret compact by sufficient mem
bers TO defeat every proposition OF an
increase in sulary. however meritorious
The procedure was revolutionary In its
nature. AS was afterward admitted, II
WAS the result OF preconcerted effort
by certain members who determined to
stay what they regarded as a wholesale
raid on the City Treasury. In order TO
sive the combination strength and cohe-
sivenass 1t became necessary for those
participating In 1t to give and taAe; that
4 s&to say. to vote against some PROPOSE
tinns they favored IN order to defeat
others they opposed
Considerable Feeling.
1t was explained after the meeting that
the revolutionary combination was form
ed In the interest of the Taxpayers Of the
city. and that those composing 1t were
willing to face the people at any time
and take the consequences. All the va
riOus ordinances relative to the employees
of the several departments OF tho city
government, the ordinance proposing q
uniform Increase In the salaries of the
police of about ten per cent; that giving
the City Treasurer an extra clerk, and
that increasing the salary of the City
Attorney. all went down In the slaughter.
The ten men whose names are re-
corded as opposing every salary propo-
sltlon did not once weaken or waver
at any stage OF the four hours ses-
sion. but relentlessly voted no" with
n quiet determination that BODIED iii
for prospective bcnefclaries of the
nrd{na rN, Ia
did the surprised advocates protest
and invcigh against the improprIety
of such conpacts and the danger OF
the precedent set. The program had
been made UP. the ten men were
pledged to carry 1t out. and they did
so. Dilatory motions and resort to
obstructive parliamentary tactics were
vain against such an astute parlia-.
mentarian as Mr.. William NJ. Turpin,
president OF the body, who commanded
the combination. Considerable feeling
was cvinced by some Of the members
as the grim legislative tragedy was
played to its predetermined conclusion.
Mr.. Dnbncy led the opposition 10 the
combination, vigorously seconded by
Mr.. Whlttct. Several others became
weary, not to say disgustcd. with the
obstructive tactics of the economy
COIlDlHc anu Alcll ffLIiS CildIUeI, Will
or without consent. Mr.. Grundy and
Mr., Bennett openly expressed their
disapprobatlon, and with some feeling,
the former leaving early and the latter,
in defiance of the body, which refused
to excuse him.
Dabney Defeated.
This revolutionary feaHlrc of the Sc
sion oyershadowcd even the defeat of
Ga Toah oln ctrif I ~ naOt
ordinance, which, though not embraced
in the compact, commanded the votes of
many of the combination. Mr.. Dabney
made a forceful presentation of the ar
guments for the project and covered
every phase of the question With great
care. challenging the opposition to ques-
tion his facts and figures. and quoting
heads OF other departments In advocacy
of the PLAN Not a word was said In
opposition by way of argument, Mr.. Benz
nett merely explaining his negative vote.
When tho roll-call began there was In
tense silence and close attention. BE-
fore It had been half concluded, some
member remarked sotto yoce tits
dcad, and the sequal proved that he
knew the situation better than did the
patron OF the ordinance or the majority
of the members.
Mr.. Dnbncy WAS naturally surprised,
hut explained that it was a defeat for
tho people rather than for him, ana that
If they could stand it he could. It is
worthy OF note that Mr.. Turpin, leader
OF the economy group. not only voted for
the electric project. but later in another
connection declared that 1t was the most
meritorious proposition that had been
before the body In years. lie expressed
regret at It's defeat.
Veterans Get Money,
= ne
plant ordinance and of ever salary In
crease proposed, the Board unanimous-
Ely adopted the conference report APP
propriating $4,000 In aid OF the gen-
eral reunion committee Of the Confed-
crate veterans. This now goes to tho
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