Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-03
THREE NEW FACES
IN CITY COUNCIL
Old Members Are Returned.
With Exception of Grundy
and Christian.
CHARTER CHANGES lNDORSED
Jefferson Ward Elects Melton
and Jeter Over Dicker-
sons Opposition.
CHARTER CHANGES lNDORsED


the city Council YESTERDAY bv ,h.
voters OF Richmond in the Dnnocra,i,
primary with two exceptions. and the
great vote polled by the incunbents is
regarded as a victory for the charter
change movement in this CITY. Will
liza m Stewart White leading the tic,e,
in Lee Ward for tho Board of Alder
men, vas the dark horse" in the cIcc.
ton with Marx Guns, running second
Robert T. Airport third and Colonel
Barton II. Grundy fourth The defea.
OF Colonel Grurdy. who has served in
the upper branch for number Of
years. having been chairman OF the
Financ. Committee for some tune. came
as great surprise last night.
Major L. z. Christian was defeated
IL. Madison Ward by Joseph {. Nun
rally. young South Richmond atto--
ncy. while II. Waverly Melton was re-
turned 20 the Board OF Aldermen in
jefferson Ward. Councilman John j.
Jeter. against whom great fight waa
staged along with Alderman Melton
was returned by substantial mai jor-
,y as representative or the East
End. Alderman Lawrence Paul poicd
Il heavy majority over Gilbc-; X. rol-
lock. former Councilman. in Clay
ward. the strength of tho latter fall
ir6 10 inaterialiEc late in the day.
LIGHT VOTE CAST
THROuGHOUT THE CITY
Throughout tho campaign there Vas
lack of interest in municipal politics
and this continued through The primary
yesterday. The vote cast was light
and will total lttlc more than 1000
ballots. The light vote was caused in
some degree by the absence from the
city OF many qualified voters who have
Joined the co!ors or have sought other
fields for employment during the pas.
few months. Despite this fact. how
ever. there was a fight in practically
every ward among the supporters OF
the various candidates.
There was not the slightest disnrder
in any section OF tho city. according
10 reports flied at ;he distr:c; police
stations. Candidates worked hard
throughout the day, and mustered 4
suhata ntialiy heavy vote late. in the
afternoon, This resulted directly from
the new dayliGht-s plan, with the
polls remaining open until i:32 o'clock.
This gave every voter ample oppor-
tuniiy 10 cast his ballot. Two ward
mcetinS Ss-in jefferson and Madison
were held last night. and there was
high feeling. but every one received
the returns in a good spirit.
SWEEPING ENDORSEMENT
FOR CHARTER CHANGES
Politicians saw in the election yes
Fn leo Nh
change movement in Richmond. Re
tho city that Councilmcn would be
scratched" because OF their activities
in promoting the Councils plan. which
las been approved by the Virginia Gen
cral Assembly and now goes 10 the cleo
tors Of Richmond for ratification. This
opposition. however, did not develop.
The warmest fight against the char
ter movemcn was staged in jefferson
Ward. II was there that strons onpo-
sition TO Councilman John II. Ieter.
who supported the Councils plan. WAS
mustered because OF his stand. Mr..
Jcter was fought throughout the cam
paiSn. James L. Dickcrscn. chief clerk
in the Water Depa rtment, taking an
active part in the fight Alderman II.
Waverly Melton was fought for Tho
same reason. and yet he pollcd 1,i5G
votes to 426 received by his opponent,
Harden Cross Mr.. Jeter was second
man on the ticket for the lower branch.
while Captain Morgan r.. Mills, who
consistently fought the movement. and
John II. Grimes. who voted against il.
found themselves in fourth and fifth
places. respectively. Mr.. Grimes, ac-