The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-06
COUNCIL VOTES
| T0BL0Ck SALE
Would Prevent Transfer of I'm
manuel Church to Negro
Congregation.
FINAL VOTE is UNANIMOUS
Committee Finds Church Trus-
tees Unwilling to Withdraw
Petition to Court.

BY q unanimous vote. the Common
Council last night passed an amended
segregation ordinance which. if con-
Cured In by the Board of Aldermen and
signed by the Mayor, will prevent tho
occupation of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Fifth and Leigh Streets by colored
congregation.
Tho ordinance was passed after a
discussion Of more than an hour pre-
cipitated by a motion offered by Presi-
dent Peters. who had vacated the chair,
recommitting the measure for the pur-
pose of affording the authorities of I'm
manuel Baptist Church an opportunity
to appear before the Ordinance Commit
tee and state the grounds Of their op-
position.
Mr.. Peters presented communica-
ton signed by the board OF trustees of
the church and the pastor, Rev. w. II.
Hall. asserting that the church authori-
ties had been given no official notice
that the ordinance was before the Coun-
ell for consideration. 1t was pointed
out that the passage of the amended
law would impose upon the church n
hardship from which other kinds of
property in the Immediate vicinity are
immune. On these grounds the church
authorities asked for Il recommittal and
rehearing.
CHURCH ONLY AWAITS
CONFIRMATION OFF SALE
In the discussion which followed IL
was brought out that contract for the
sale of the church to colored conEre-
cation has already been executed, and
needs only the approval OF tho CITY
Circuit Court to become effective. Judge
, r. Carter Scott. OF this court, the Coun-
Gil was informed, has set next Monday
for hearing on the application OF the
church trustees for an order authoriz-
ing the sale.
Councilman Pollock, OF Madison
ward. although holding the belief that
the amendment to the segregation law
was desirable, declared his Willingness
to vote for recommittal IL the church
authorities would officially bind them
selves not to pursue their application
In the City Circuit Court until tho pro-
posed amendment was definitely acted
upon by the Council. He was nor will
ing, he said, to recommit the ordinance
III the trustees of the church would take
advantage of the ensuing delay to Sc.
cure from Judge Scott an order author
.Hing the sale before the amendment
could be acted upon.
COMMITTEE C0NsULTs
CHURCH AUTHORITIES
-, Attorney Isaac Diggs. representing
well as the three members Of Tho
ooara or CTR trpsttees were present in the
/ /.
ton moved that the rules be suspended
In order ito permit Mr.. Diggs to state
to the Council whether or not the
hold the assurance asked for. -
Councilman Rogers WIS opposed &c
e;s est. the precedent or permit.
iii elihIs IA n ronms to address the Coun;
| moved substitute that the chail
n neiptTer recess c Of five minutes, ap.
hf For WIFE The cc ch,,ndb Of Aye to con
report. The motion was carried.
To the committee Mr. Diggs stated
a srnsf ee conspstatiSn With the board q
Ing to agree to postpone the cour,
p pr S,,ea rs The congregation Of I'm
was compelled, because OF the stead,
encroachment OF negroes in the neigh,
borhood, to sell the church. The orde,
sought soiI In the City Circuit Court. h.
was sold to white or colored persons
and the attempt to secure 1t Wilt no,
be abandoned. stt.'t
DECLINE TO AWAIT
ACTION OF COUNCIL
the committee, reported to tho; Coun
FL that the church refused to hold mr.
N. .he court proceedings until, tile Coun.
1 fusal OF the church authorities to ac.
cept what the members regarded as :
hadv proposition was received by. thu
feeling was reflected in the vo t,
Mr.. Peters, who had made the mo
tion to recommit, Withdrew ii afte,
commenting .pointedly on the refusa
OF the church authorities to accent 3
fair offer. In submitting this offer
moreover, he pointed out, the Council
] mad suspended the business OF the bod,
!, 70 grant special conference pro.
precedent in his sixteen Years as
member of the Council
the church had been given the CD
| tion of taking their cause to the Conn
| ell or TO the court. II 1t was.wiilIne
TO abide by the Judgment of the Coun
ell, he said. 1T should come before tha,
body with clean hands. and not as ar
applicant for court order authoriz
ing sale repugnant to the pendinf
With the motion to recommit, mad,
by councilman Peters, withdrawn
! yice-President Radcliffe, who was n
the chair, called for n vote ON m,
| amended ordinance itself, and Il wa,
passed unanimously go
| The amended ordinance holds stree
! entering but not intersecting, anothe,
street, to be Of the same effect as al
intersecting street. Under this amend
Leigh and Jackson Streets would be s
single block between parallel streets
So considered, the block would be whit.
| ization
It is stated that President Adam,
Will be asked to call special meet
| ing of the Board Of Aldermen for to.
night to concur In the amended ordi