The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-11-12
Nielsen Is Converted at
Eleventh Hour and
Supports Measure.
BLILEY GOES ON
CRUTCHES TOHELP
Cheer Rings Through Council
Chamber as East End Alder
man Withdraws Opposition.
Kill Attempt to Put Ques-
ton Up to People for
Final Decision.

"hru' hoopted into the Council cham
Der on crutches last night and with
Alderman Nielsen, of Jefferson Ward.
VINO Joined the majority at the last
moment helped to carry the much
debated annexation ordinance to vic
tory by vote of to s. The vote on
concurrence was taken without debate,
ana In the presence of an audience that
hlled tho chamber.
with the exception OF n short dis
cussion, which followed an attempt bv
Alderman Melton to secure the incor-
noration OF an amendment submitting
tho whole question to tho people for
approval, the Board disposed OF tho
important measure without debate.
twelve members were In their seats
when the ordinance was taken out OF
It's regular order for disposal. Alder
man Perdue was detained BY illness
and Alderman Grimes was kept away
because OF death In bis family
Chairman Adams announced the
question, and the members voted as
follows:
For eoncurrence-Bliiey, Disney. Gil
man, Grundy, Gunst, Mitchell. Nielsen.
Powers and Puller-a
Against concurrence--Melton. Paul
and Adams--s.
Nielsen Springs Surprise.
Ihe surprise OF tho evening was tho
action- OF Alderman Nielsen. With PauI
Grimes, Melton and Adams. no blocl,sd
special meeting on Thursday night.
voting against concurrence on the
ground that the measure was too lin
eraliy drawn. Extended conferencea
WIN citizens In Jefferson Ward and
members OF the Council. he told the
Board last night, have convinced hin,
thns ne erred in opposing It,
stated at that meeting that / was
Opposed to annexation" said Mr.. Nell
sen, sen, and still hold that opinion.
nave consulted with prominent bust
ness In my ward, and had a lonr CON
ference with the City Engineer. who
convinced me that the lines provided
IA .hs ordnance arc desirable from the
standpoint of drainage I have cone
over the question from many view
points ana am convinced that shall
DO right in withdrawing my opposi-
tion, and VIII therefore vote for tho
Crowd Cheers Vote.
Mr. Nielsen made this statement IN
mediatcly before casting his vote in
explanation OF his change OF position
~ took all but Il few OF the nnneyn
ton leaders by surprise, and caused
,he assembled crowd to break into
loud applause. The chair raped stern
ly for order. and Sergeant-at-Arms
Ruskell proceeded with the roll call
Although the Board was assembled
In regular meeting to dispose OF n
crowded docket, the annexation issue
eclipsed everything else In popular In
tercst, and most of the citizens. who
occupied every available seat, were
present TO SEQ 1t meet its fate The
pro annexation contingent outnum
oered by far tho small minority that
hoped to see the measure defeated. and
hdseted uneasily as tho minutes wore
away without the appearance OF the
ruiz complement of eight votes needed
FOR victory.
Biiicy Congratulated.
Annexation leaders and spectators
entered the Council chamber on
crutches ut $40 o'clock and took his
seat in the Lee Ward section. Much
depended on his presence, and the fear.
was never absent during the day thar
his physician would order him to re-
main 1T home. Citizens and members
Joined indiscriminately In congratu-
lating him on being able to be- present.
with eleven members and quorum
In their seats, the annexation camp
forebore to take the ordinance out OF
us order because Alderman Disney, one
CT the bulwarks OF annexation, had not
Yet appeared. City Clerk August pro-
ceeded with the docket, and the Alder
men voted listlessly on less important
matters. Keeping on the alert for the
entrance OF the missing member.
Alderman Disney. who had been de-.
layed by slight accident at Aiurphy's
Hotel, appeared 1T $50 O'clock, and
Chairman Powers, OF the Annexation
Committee, moved Mt once that out OF
consideration for Mr.. Rliley, whose
physician had permitted him to como
only on condition that he leave as soon
as possible. the annexation ordinance
ne taken out of its order. The members
voted to do so una : lmously
Melton Would Amend.
win the ordinance again up for con.
currence, Alderman Melton offered an
amendment providing for the submit
tlns OF inc measure to popular voto
OF the people The amendment pro-
vSided that special election be held
for this purpose. and that tho ordi-
nance should not go into effect until
approved by a majority Of the city,s
qualified voters.
Mr.. Melton read letter from the
City Attorney, affirming the regularity
OF tho amendment. His opposition To
tho ordnance in its present form. he
said arose largely from the doubt that
1t was desired by the majority Of tha
people. and to submit 1t in this man
ner would dissolve that doubt.
The motion to amend was opposed
by Alderman Mitchell who told tba
Board that he had himself Thought
OF this expedient, but had Abandoned
1t upon a statement by the City At
torney that there would be some doubt
about tho legality OF submitting tito
question to the people. He read fror,
the legislative act expressly conferrina: 4
upon the city councils OF the States
municipalities the right TO pass upon
all annexations. To submit to the
people, no thought. would be going
beyond the intent OF tho Legislature
Charges Attempt to Defeat.
Alderman Pullcr attacked the pro :.
posed amendment in warm Hneeph Ir,3t3