The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-15
South SlDt FIGHTS
CHARTER CHANG. 5
Mass Meeting OF Prominent Citizens
Adopt Resolutions Asking for
Retention of Old Regime.
CITIzENRY INDIGNANT
Produces Former Opinion OF CITY At
torncy Which Is ut Direct Variance
With Later Observation-Disclosures
tative Crowd Present

tative Crowd Present
Initiating a strong fight against the
adjustment of the several offices on
the South Side, including hastings
court. Part II, and other minor mu
nfcIpai offices, as advocated by the
charter changes committee TO the city
council a few days ago, the citizens
of Manchester met last night at the
old courthouse and adopted resolu-
tons which will be presented to each
branch OF the city council. the cham
Der of commerce. and the Civic asso-
citation within few days.
representative crowd was on hand
and the entire situation was discussed
at length by men well known in bust
nesr and political circles in the city
All South Side expressed it's indigna-
ton at the attempt on the part of the
city Of Richmond to take from the
Manchester addition those rights and
privileges that Are outlined In the
contract drawn up at the time of the
annexation of that city by Richmond
I'm 1910. The act OF the general as
sembiy in which It is 81 ated that Man.
chester should heve the right to re-
tain certain privileges I'm regard TO the
police court and other Offices that
were advocated for adjustment by
the charter changes committee. was
read, and II appeared TO be the gem
arai opinion of the citizenrv present
that Richmond. although she has a
legal right 10 abolish and remove such
offices and courts as recommended.
she dA not have moral right 20 as
sumo such powers. and than In so do
ing she would repudiate the binding
e..rA ~
tons that were covenanted in 1910!
when Manchester surrendered her
rights TO sovereignty and merged
with Richmond proper.
The er tire movement OF the charter
changes committee was denounced as
a political trick. and strenuous effort
VIII be tnaugurated TO retain the plan
OF municipal government now IN
vogue IN that part of the city The
Civic association. IL was stated had
no part In the changes recommended
relative to the South Side. and a let
ter signed by Messrs. Easley and An
derson was produced 10 that effect
The opinion of City Attorney Pol
lard relative TO the right of Rich
mo0d to abolish these Offices was cts
cussed at length. and bomb was
thrown into the meeting by Mr. T r
punford, who produced former
opinion of the city attorney In which
II Was stated that THE rights of Man
chester would be permanently invio-
late with the privilege of retention OF
all OF those ofTi>es that are now recon
mended for adjustment. This is at
direct variance with the decision later
rendered. and was given at the time
OF the night against annexation in
1909 and no. This opinion. fl was
stated last night. will be printed and
Presented along with the resolutions,
arc also given TO the press.
PAGE
Among those taking n prominent part
In the meeting were Augustine Royau
L. d. Pulliam NJ A Campbell, we'll
known citizens on the South side. Mr..
James Peter, chief clerk of the water
works. was present and gave talx.
Mr.. Cheatwood. member of the COM
mon council assured the gathering that
he would Cooperate with them In every
possible way
Mr l. o. Brown. chairman. selected
the following committee to attend to
the presentation of the resolutions.
and the former opinion of City Attorney
Pollard, which VIII be consummated
at the earliest date:
Augustine Royal. l. e. Seeiman. NJ
A. Campbell. J. A Dodd. A J. Dafrron,
W. c. Pulliam. b p. Owens. F. 3. Dun.
ford. Fl. L Patram and L. ]. Nichols.
One other committeeman was later APP
pointed. Mr.. A. l.. Adams
Resolutions Adopted.
The following resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas, The committee on charter
reform of the council of the city of
Richmond. at its session held Thursday
night. January 10. in the council cham
Der Of this city. by vote of TO 3,
In 70 ~.
city certain amendments to the charter
of the city of Richmond. among which
were:
/. The removal OF the hastings court
part III. of the city to the City Hin,
where all of its sessions shall In the
future be held.
.. The abolition of the criminal juris-
diction of the court as well as it's
registry and probate jurisdiction
g. The abolition of the offices OF
sergeant and prosecuting attorney of
said court.
4. The abolition OF the collecting Of
fees now located In South Richmond
S. The abolition of the police court
OF South Richmond. designated as po-
lice court, part IL
One and all of which were and are
secured and guaranteed to the people
OF the former city of Manchester, un-
der the agreement and ordinance OF
consolidation with the city OF Rich
mond. and were then and are yet es-
teemed most valuable and inviolable
rights, on the faith of and as the price
for which az SO guaranteed and secured.
the people OF that city confidently voted
for consolidation. surrendering all OF
their chartered rights and corporate
life on the faith thereof
Now therefore be IL resolved:
!. That while we have yet to believe
that the aforesaid report of the cora-
mittee. which is so violative, in letter
and spirit of Richmond's obligations.
legal aud moral to the people OF South
Richmond. will ever pass Its council.
yet we cannot view with equanimity
or allow to pass unchallenged such an
open and direct blow by a portion Of
it's membership at those rights. which
we hold so important, and which TO
this time we had thought were safe
from assault.
o That the retention of these courts
and cffices in South Richmond accord
ing to the agreement and ordinance of
consolidation has preserved here. as
was intended thereby. community.
center. aSound which is grouped the
banks. the postoffice, the park, and the
business life OF this community, which
are most valuable rights and privileges.
End that add to the value OF all prop