The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-06
SOUTHS|DE WILL
VOTE WITH CITY
Chairman Martin Thinks 1t Is
No Longer Part of Flo
terial District.
DECISION CAUSES SURPRISE
Richmond Loses Proportionately
i'll Representation as Result
of Annexation.
DECISION CAUSES SURPRISE

election of members of the LEGISLATURE
from this city. It now appears that all
previous calculations have been at fault,
and that washington Ward will vote
this year. both In the primary and in
the general election, with Richmond,
and will not take part in the choice of
floater from the district Of Manches-
ter. Chesterfield and Powhatan. nor in
the election of q Senator from the
Sixteenth District E
Recent gossip concerning the situa-
tion has been to the effect that mas
much as the Legislature has had no
opportunity TO take cognizance OF the
annexation of Manchester the residents
OF that former corporation would vote,
this year as heretofore, in accordance
With the last districting OF the State
for membership in the General AS
sembiy. FL
Opinion of City Chairman.
The matter will undoubtedly come
up for discussion tonight before tho
City Democratic Committee, but II that
body confirms the opinion of its chair
man. Major Miles NJ Martin. the re-
suit Will be Is above indicated. and
Rtchmonds proportionate representa-
ton will be to that extent reduced
that Is. there will be but tho i've mem
hers of the House and two OF the Sem
ate for the greater city, or the same
number that old Richmond had, with
out gaining an increase as the result
Of consolidation
A proportionRtcly greater measure Of
power Will then be given to Chester
1eld and Powhatan counties, which will
elect a floatcr without the aid OF what
was once Manchester. M
Some curious complications will
ensue. II d. l. Toney. of South Rich
mond now the noatcr member, desires
to be reelected. nc must register his
name with the Richmond committee
and appear on the city ticket. He would
necessarily be one Of the I'VE members.
In addition. the district of Senator
John B. Watkins will be curtailed and
the territory OF the two Richmond
Senators increased. All candidates for
the General Assembly must reckon
with washington Ward voters These
conclusions are predicated. of course.
upon the superstition that Chairman
Martins view is upheld by the City
Committee tonight.
In No Manchcster.
The point is an interesting one. The
law says there shall be an electoral
board in each city and county, which
shall appoint the Judges and clerks of
election. There Is now no electoral
board for Manchester, for there is no
Manchester. and al n result the Rich
mond board must select the judges.
appears upon the list of those who
have paid their capitation taxes, certi-
fed by the treasurer tc the clerk.
There Is no treasurer and there is no
clerk for Manchester. Those who are
performing these duties are omcials OF
the city of Richmond. II would seem,
therefore. that no election can be held
in November in Washington Ward ex-
cept for representatives of Richmond.
Again, the Southside will vote in the
September primary for City Collector.
and will do the same thing In Novem-
Der. l seems that the ward must there
fore without question be considered a
part of Richmond for all political pur-
poses. Lastly. in September the voters
there will name the ward delegation in
the Richmond City Committee.
Major Martins Letter.
Major Martins letter to a citizen OF
South Richmond, in reply to an inquiry
on this subject. is as follows:
Il am in receipt of your letter ask
ing your opinion S to whether or NOT
that part of the city formerly known
as Manchester viii be entitled to
representative in the next Legisla ture,
rs heretofore.
Under the apportionment existing
prior to. and at Inc time Of the an
ncSation Of the city of Manchester to
the city OF Richmond. tho counties of
Chesterfield Powhatan and Manches-
ter were entitled to one delegate com
monty known as a 'Hoater.' Chester
field county being entitled to one The
city OF Richmond was entitled TO five
delegates.
Under the provisions, OF the act
providing for the consolidation or an
ncxation OF cities, tho city OF Man
chester became merged in. and an in
tcgral part OF. the city of Richmond.
ri n rt IF W rif, ,,f Ia
has been surrendered, and that city.
has ceased TO be as Il munici pality,
and has. In my opinion. been carved
out OF It's former Legislative district
md become just as much part of
the Legislative district composed of
the city of Richmond as the town of
Fairmoun;. or portions OF the county
OF ITenrlco taken iuto the city Of
Richmond when its corporate limits
were extended. The Legislature has
failed to provide for an Increase OF
representation from the city of Rich
mond. and. therefore, am of opinion
that The city of Richmond as at pres
cnt constituted. is entitled only to nve
members of the House of Delegates.
''In the primary to nominate mem
bers of the House In the city of Rich
moud polls should ne opened In Wash
Ington Ward for those who wish TO
participate in the primary.
1T is unfortunate dhat provision
was not made for the Increased repre- J
sentation that Richmond is entitled 10
on account Of her Increased popuIa-
ton This, i presume will be cor
rcctcd ut the next meeting of tho Leg.
lsature.
nj the regular election in Novem-
/ her II Will he the duty Of the electoral
board TO furnish ballots, as provided
by law 70 the different precincts in
the city of Richmond. with the names
! of the candidates for the House of
|! Delegates from that city printed thero-
on. II am correct in my views,
! Washington Ward Will be represented
! In the next House of Delegates from
/ the city Of Richmond. of which II Is a
(, part"