The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-27
Majority Seems Opposed to An
nexation Referendum in
Primary.
TALK OF SCALPING BOARD
May Vote on It's Abolition.
Saunders Insists on Report to
Full Committee.
GEORGE II. NEwErT.

After stormy session OF two hours
In which it appeared that a majority
opposed referring annexation 10 :he
Democrats of Richmond in the June
primary. the plans committee of the
city Democratic Committee adjourned
Yesterday afternoon to meet again to-
morrow at O'Clock. At the conclusion
OF the session, the committee found It
self no nearer agreement on its report
than 1t was at the beginning.
III TACT, 1t is stated that but for the
insistence Of Chairman Clyde w Saund-
ers that the resolution of the CITY
Democratic Committee was mandatory.
ana that nothing was left for the plans
committee TO do but TO decide on the
wording of the ballot, a report might
have been made to the effect that n
referendum At this time was illegal,
cussion as To the scope of the plans
committees duties will be resumed at
the meeting Tomorrow
aIny. Abolish Administrative Bonrd.
1t is said on good authority that il
referendum at this time is insisted
upon. motion will be made backed by
many citizens, to the City Democrat tic
Committee. that there be added to the
supplemental ballot proposition for
ana against the abolition OF the Ad-
ministrative Board. This was not sup
gcsted yesterday In the meeting. hnt
l.
mitteeman
The membership OF the plans com
mittee is composed of Clyde w. Snund-
ers. chairman; Writ E. Taylor, Franl,
Ferrandini. James Fl. Trice and RaiIev
L. Shifiett. There are two vocancias
caused by the recent resignation fron,
me city Democratic Committee OF n
y. Goode. Jr., and j. NJ N Allen. Citv
Chairman Miles NJ. Martin declined to
M the vacancies at such a juncture.
since. no matter who he named. he
would be accused by one side or tho
other of an effort to pack the COMMIT
tee.
Legality of Referendum.
an executive session was held YES
ter1ay. From all accounts, it was
heated from beginning to end. Mr.
Price came armed with law booI,
from which he undertook to show thai
referendums can legally proceed only
from Legislative body in which orig
mates the proposed law, and that the
City Democratic Committee is without
authority to refer a matter on which
the City Council is at work His con
tentlon is that II annexation is to be
made matter of popular vote. n
should be referred by the CITY CounciI
and then to all the qualified citizens Of
Richmond In the regular November
election. and not merely to the Demo
Gratis nor to any other class in a pri-
mary.
He was heartily seconded 1t is stated
by Mr.. Ferrandini and not the less
heartily by Mr.. Taylor, on whose ears
the word referendum falls with no
pleasant sound. While Mr.. Shihett 10
known to be an ardent annexationist
he did not commit himself yesterdov
on the particular phase of the topic
under discussion.
Saunders In Minority.
Chairman Saunders took direct issue
with this position. He contended tbot
the legality or lack thereof OF the ref
erendum was n matter with which tho
plans committee has nothing whatever
to do, since II was merely directed bv
the city Democratic Committee to re-
port the proper wording to go on the
ballot. He insisted that tho instruc
tions of the resolution should be car
ried out. and that a report should be
made Further Mr.. Saunders contended
that the vote was not intended to he
strictly legal, and admitted that IL
could not bind the Council, but TINT
1t would be advisory to that body. In
asmuch as the Democrats OF Richmond
elected the City Council after nomi
mating it's members in party pri-
mary, he saw no reason why the same
Democrats should not pass on oues-
tion for which it would be responsible.
Therefore, with what appeared to be
majority in opposition to referen-
dunn, the plans committee took until
tomorrow to consider Of It's verdict. =