The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-26
SATURDAY, JANUARY &c, 1907.
lam not In the giving vein to-day
King Richard Ut.
Another Popular Victory.

announcer FOpuldE VlSlOIy.
Tie power of public opinion has again
been demonstrated in Richmond. Soon
after the amendment to the Umlauf
early-closing ordinance was rushed
through the board of Aldermen, The
Times dispatch put the Richmond public
on notice, and called upon public scntl-
nent TO assert itself. The proceedings
OF tho Board on Thursday night showed
that the public responded to the call.
mir. satterield said that he had been
importuned by u large majority OF his
constituents. since the former action OF
the Board, VINO asked him to vote FOR
l. o'clock closing. There seems to be u
general sentiment in favor Of that hour, :"
said he, and as l am not voting on my
own conviction alone, but as the repre-
sentative of a constituency, 1 shall vote
against the amendment
Mr. Rennolds made similar explana-
ton In changing his vote. but added that
lie was almost influenced by the news
paper criticisms to adhere to his former
vote in favor of the O'Clock amendment.
good cncilman. and we are glad that
he die not allow the criticism of the
newspapers to prevent him from voting
in accordance with the Overwhelming sem
timent of the city No Councilman has
need 10 apologize for such vote even
though it be cast against his own judg-
lncnt. The people are supreme, and their
will should be law, especially in n matter
affecting, rs they believe, the morals,
peace and safety Of the city.
Mr.. Dabuey also complained OF unjust
criticism" ana declared that no advan-
tage had been taken and no unfair adj
vantage sought.
II am still of opinion" said he, that
the amendment was a reasonable one, ana
i do not concede that the purpose or theS
effect of the ordinance was to defeat
the Umlauf ordinance. and ii was unfair
and unjust to me and to this body to so
charge said the speaker.
The fact is that Mr.. Dabney put him
self in an awkward position, and he
should not blame The Timcs-D Dispatch
for pointing 1t out We do not inlpugn
his motives. but he and his associates did
rush the amendment through under
general suspension of the rules, and the
result shows that the amendment would
not haya c.grjet'had the public been put
on notice However, we do not believe
that any wrong was intended, ana we
commend Mr.. Dabney for his fairness
and good sense in asking for special
meeting OF the Board of Aldermen, that
the former hasty action might be re-
considered.
But Mr. Dabney Is unnecessarily dis.
turbcd concerning one of the criticisms
of The Times-Dlspatch. In the course
of his remarks, he said:
Il deny that there was any purpose on
NY part or on the part OF those voting !
with me to abrogato the umiauf ordl- /!
nance as charged by The Times-D Dis |
patch.'
Mr.. Dabney aeems 10 think that The
Titnes-Dispatch meant TO charge him with
gone secret or underhand design. If So
lie IS mistaken. our exact language was
"rhe concurrence Of the Council would
If the saloonkeepers are allowed to keep
open until : o'clock. they might as Well I,
be allowed 10 keep open all night"
TIs plain meaning, and the only mean
ing was that the effect Of the o'clock
amendment, If adopted. would be to de-
stroy the force and efficiency OF the carly
closing ordinance. There was no ques-
lion Of purpose aseut It, II was a ques-
zion Of faar.