The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-18
HOLD SPECIAL
MEETINGS TO
HASTEN END
Assurance Given That General
Assembly Will Amend Old Law
SO That Manchester People
May Vote in Time to Include
United Count in Next Census.
No Election in Richmond I'M
less one-Fourth Of Qualified
Electors Demand It by Petition
to Council.

Without dissenting vote, the CONS
mlttces from Richmond and DIancbc,.
ter recommended to the Councils of
the two cities last night an ordinance
drawn after months of conference, pros
vidinE for the union of the cities. Tho
message as finally agreed upon was
ordered printed, and special meetings
of the Councils will be called shortly
for its consideration. Each committee
pledged itself to press for a final vote,
If possible, In time for the united popu-
lation to be reported In the governs
ment census OF 1910.
In the final draft of the ordinance
as agreed upon by the attorneys, and
in which was Incorporated the amend
ments formerly adopted by the g cons
rntttees sitting jointly, there We're but
two amendments, both of minor Inn
port. The first was a mere verbal
change, tho repetition of word in a
clause to make It's meaning more ex-
plicit. suggested on the final reading
by Assistant City Attorney Anderson,
OF Richmond. and accepted by general
consent.
Wien 1t Takes Effect.
The other was a question which had
been left blank by the lawyers for the
committees to determine: when the
consolidation should take effect, pro-
viding the ordinance is adopted and
tho election in the lesser city is IA
vorable. AS the amended act provides
that ten days shall be allowed after
the election for hearing any charges
OF fraud. the committees agreed to the
insertion of a clause which provides
that the union shall be effective at
noon on the eleventh day after the
election In Manchester. If the election
is favorable the Judge of the Corpora
tion Court of Manchester is to enter
an order certifying to that fact, and
putting the union In effect at the time
agreed upon.
Every effort will now be put forth
by those favoring union to have the
consolidation effective before the next
census. The printed ordinance will be
ready for distribution among the mems
bers of the Councils in the next few
days. The Chamber Of Commerce cons
mttee on consolidation is preparing
a campaign OF literature. showing to
| the people OH both sides of the river
the advantages of the union. In each
! city the lower branch OF tho Council
will be first called on to vote on tho
ordinance.
Councils to Act.
Special meetings will be held in each
,,instance SO that there may be ample
time for discussion without the inter-
ference of other business. Chairman
| Brown. OF the Manchester committee.
raised tho question last night as to
| whether the Manchester Council should
walt until after the passage of the
measure by the Council of Richmond,
! taking the ground that this city is
| Inviting union and that Manchester
Ishould take no step until formally
Inotitied of the adoption OF the paper
| by Richmond. He WAS told that ths
| understanding here. aud the evident
purport of the State law. is that it is
n mutual agreement. and that there
would be no impropriety in the Man
chester Council proceeding at once to
the consideration of the ordinance
as recommended by It's special COM
mlttee.
Meanwhile the Richmond and Man.
chester delegations in the General Az,
semblH Will ask Immediate considera.
ton OF the bill introduced by Delegate
ToHey Of Manchester, amending thi
act for the consolidation OF cities sd
as to shorten the time before an elec.
ton can be held in the lesser city. Nd
opposition TO the passage6of the act
is anticipated, Under the amended act
| as soon as the passage OF the ordinance
by the Councils OF the two cities is ger.
titled TO the Corporation Court Of Man.
lchester an election Is TO be ordered II
1.-The lesser city. Provision Is made In
the ordinance, In accordancs. With tho
state law, by which, should ONE
fourth Of the qualified voters ot tho
city OF Richmond netitlon the Council,
an election can be ordered In this city
also, 1t Is not believed. however, that
the opposition in 1sichmond Is either 81