Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-31

otherwise provided In this CONSTITUTE ion.
"'2. Notwithstanding. however. any
thing in this article contained, the
General Assembly may. by general or
by special act (pasScd as prescribed In
article four of this COnstitution), de-
part in any respect except as other
wise in this section expressly pro-
videdD from the form of organization
and government prescribed by this
article for cities and towns. and may
provide from time TO time for the vari-
Gus cities and towns of the Common
wealth. such form or forms Of munich
pal government as the General Assem-
bly, may deem best: but no form or
forms of government authorized by
the second paragraph Of this section
shall become operative except as to
such cities or towns aS may thercaft CT
adopt the same by n majority vote of
its qualified electors ut an election TO
be held rs may be prescribed therefor
by law. All the limitations on the
powers of the Councils OF cities and
towns imposed by this article shall APP
ply in like manner to the principal leg
islative authority under any form of
government which may he authorized
hereunder. The term Council" as
used In sections 1913 and 1877 of this
Constitution. shall DO construed to in
cludc the body which. under any form
Of municipal government. shall he
vested with the principal Legislative
authority Of such municipality.
"'3. The General Assembly, for the
purpose of this article. may classify
cities according To their population.
but the maximum population prescribed
for any class shall exceed the minimum
for the mo a. "a ~ tbb,-
sand. Tho General Assembly. at the
request made In manner which may he
prescribed by law. Of any city having
| population OF over fifty thousand in
habitants, may grant n special form OF
government for such city.
-. Any laws or charters enacted
pursuant To the provisions OF this see
ton shall be subject to the provisions
Of this Constitution relating expressly
TO judges and clerks of courts. attor-
! neyS for the Commonwealth. commits
sioners of revenue, city trcasurers and
city scrgeants.'
No RESTRICTIONS As
TO \ SPECIAL. tliARTEI,
You will note that hy this section
the cities Of this Commonwealth are
divided into two classes: one. cities VI
: To 10000. and, two, cities having a pop
ulation of more than 10000. Para =
graphs one and three refer to cities
over $4,000: paragraph two refers 10
cities up TO 10000 population. By the
| first paragraph, no special act as Ia
| cities not exceeding 10000 can he
| passed except as provided IN article
! four of the Constitution. and only by
! a recorded vote of two-thirds OF tho
| members elected to each house Ru,
no restrictions are put upon the Cen
eral Assembly as to granting a spccia'
| charter to Il city having more thar
] 10000. except as hereinafter provided
Tie third paragraph states these pro.
! request made in manner which may l.,
| prescribed by law, of any city having
| u population of over 10000 inhabitants
may grant special form of govern.
ment for such city
Language could not be more gen.
eral or confer upon the General AS.
| scmbly more unrestricted power as Il
| Il special charter for a city of owe,
! 10000 If such city requests that II.
charter shall he adopted by a majorit,
| OF those voting at such election, auI
not by ma iority Of the whole cleo.
! torate, the General Assembly has full
power TO grant such request. IF 4
| passed the bill now asked for by tn.
| city Council of our city. and the char,
, ter finally submitted under that bill