The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-18
Common Council Decides to
Have Hundred opies Print
ed for. Information
THIS ACTION TAKEN
AFTER WARM DEBATE
Councilman Jones Introduces
Two Papers From South
aide in Reference to Old Man
chester Offices

At the conclusion OF spirited debate
the common council last night adopt
ed composite resolution introduced
by Councilman Mills and amended by
Souncilmen English, Rose. Haddon
aud Powell, directing the clerk to
have ZOE copies Of the charter
changes committee report printed
within five days and delivered to coun-
ci.men within that pssriod, and ad-
fourned to meet next Thursday night
81 1889 o'clock.
A large and representative audience
was present when President Peters at
sac o'clock raped the body to order.
Leading citizens from every section OK
the city came to add their influence
in the disposition of the report
Judges. lawyers, nnaAciers and bust
Yess men mingled with employees of
the various branches of the city gov
eminent All displayed eager inter
est in the proceedings
Southsiticrs Dissent.
Chairman John K. Rose. ST the spe-
csai committee on charter Changes.
presented the report of the COMMITTEES.
before IL was taken up. Councilman
!. Jones presented two papers--one con-
tanning IA set of resolutions adopted
al "A mass meeting OF Southside citi-
memorial written by r. ]. Nichols,
who. during the heated period prior
To annexation. was president OF the
Manchester business Mems associa~
item Mr.. Nichols reviewed the cam
psign and referred to the part taken
by City Attorney Pollard. who, II was
alleged. had advised the people of the
Southside that the agreement about
the courts and city Offices remaining
in the Southside would be strictly ad
hered to.
AZ the conclusion of the reading of
the papers Mr. Rose suggested that
!, tho report be taken up by sections
and voted on as such, each council
man reserving the right TO vote as. he
pleased on the paper as g whole after
IL had been amended.
Jones Seeks Light,
Mr.. Jones asked the chairman to,
explain the ~a>~r, as he had not had
MI opportunity of seeing IL until day
sor two ago and had not had time in
which to read 1t carefully and had In
nowise digested any OF its features.
He wanted to know IL there Was any
member OF the committee present who
ceuid explain the connection between
the sections of the proposed charter
ard hose OF the present charter.
Mr.. Powell replied that any mem
Der could learn the purport of each
section as IT w4s discussed and any
layman could explain its purport.
Mr. Mills said he did not wish to |
inject an alarming statement, but he
would say II the paper were adopted |
now, with few OF the councilmen |
familiar with its contents. and went
TO the Legislature. II would come back |
and be presented the people at the
same time the members OF the council
were on the stump seeking reelection, /
And" he said. lis there man /
present, who expects TO go before his l.
Dcopie for reelection. prepared TO
explain this proposed charter Can
any man present attack or defend the
paper. as the case may be. with any
degree of satisfaction In knowledge I
or its purposess I cannot. and I do
not, think my people would take me
for a fair representative IL i were
not first to prepare myself to tell
them all about the proposed charter.
No man can discuss this question I
nm not seeking unnecessary delay. but
\ think this paper should be printed.
and copies distributed to every mem
Der OF council. SO that he may inform
himself and be in position to discuss
intelligentiy the various phrases OF
the important question"
Mr.. Haddon agreed with Mr.. Mills.
ne iuL1IlAttQ tiidt UpHG Out mem bHTS
OF the subcommittee were In position
TO discuss the paper with any degree
Or satisfaction.
New Charter, Says Haddon.
ct is quite likely" said Mr., Had
don. that every man here knows that
the paper demands the abolition of
the administrative board. But that
n assmail part of the plan. The con-
nertion between the board and other
parts Of the government il the most
important. In the abolition of the
administrative board there will be an
upheavai of the entire government
This paper purports to be an amend
ment to the charter. bYt II is practi-
cnily q new charter, and / do not
feel that I can discuss it's various ,
phases without having at least a day
ar two to study the proposition No ,
man can tonight vote inte1ligently on I
this paper, and be able to explain :,
what Its effects may be, Let weeks
delay be had"
NJ Mr.. Powell related the history Of
the paper. He told of the appoint-i J
mont OF the committee last March ]
md its progress during the past /,
months. He showed that the meet {
ings had been held openly, and that
thN public and all interested citizens
ERE repeatedly invited to attend the :
meetings with ideas and snggestions.
(Conttnucd on Second paxal