Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-04
SOUTH SIDE CITIZENS
WANT OFFICES RETAINED
Oppose Rctrenchmcnt Plan Of Abol-
ishiug Unnecessary, Dupli-
eating Jobs.
PROMISED UNDER ANNEXATION
Will Stand on Their Legal Rights,
Pulliam Tells Committee on Char
ter Changes-Wyatt Wants Fees
as Process Server.

as PROCESS server.
Vigorous protest against the removal
OF the Hastings Court, Part H., the
limiting OF it's Jurisdiction to strictly
Hlvil proceedings, and the abolition and
.emoval OF other municipal Offices now
.ocatcd in South Richmond, was mad o
last night at the meeting Of the Coun-
Gil Committee on Charter Changes.
Representatives OF the South Side de-
clarcd that the annexation agreement
when the old city of Manchester was
consolidated with Richmond provided
for the permanent retention of tho
court and Offices south OF tho James
River. u
Samuel A. Anderson appeared a,l
counsel for the South Richmond dele
Eation, and while he had not studied
i.c report OF the subcommittee, he said.
no believed that several recommends
tiona werc unlawful. The annexation
agreement was a contract and all OF
Its provisions were binding upon tho
city OF Richmond. "AnneSa,ion was
agreed to by the citizens or 3Ianchca
ter" lie said, with the understanding
that these offices were to be retained"
Mr.. Anderson discussed at length
In q general way tho legal phase of
the matter, connning himself princi
pally to the question Of a contract. and
the obligation OF Richmond faithfully
10 observe it's provisions. Because OF
several points which lie believed TO be
illegal he preferred preparing a bricf
for presentation to tho committee. and
suggested that City Attorney Pollard
also look into the provisions Of the
law.
WANTS SEPARATE VOTE
ON SOUTHsID: QUESTION
In support OF the South Richmond
delegations protest appeared David l..
Puiliam. who declared that the contract
was binding and irrevocablc. The Hus-
tings Court. Fart H., according to the
annexation agreement. Was to be per-
mancntly retained. and Its jurisdic-
ton was TO include civil and criminal
proceedings, registry and probate mat
ters. Tho agreement also provided
for a police station and court. AID other
municipal Offices in that section
But should the committee decide to
recommend these matters" Mr.. Pull
liam said. we think it should be first
approved by vote or the people. and. !
we believe. this portion should be vot- |
ed upon as a single Item II also seems |
TO .,s that this question should also be
confined entirely TO the voters OF the |
old city OF Manchester"
Members Of the committee had pre- |
viously declared that the meeting last |
night had been called especially to hear !
from interested citizens. Captain Nor !
gan II. Mills asked Mr.. Pulliam If any, |
other recommendations were opposed |!
by citizens in South Richmond. In re- !
ply, Mr.. Pulliarn said several small mat |
ters had been laid before Alderman |
Workman and would he presented by |,
him. Replying to further queries. he |
said he could not voice tho senti- |
meGts of the community as to the aboii- |,
ton OF the Administrative Board. but
n,., st,1 ,sttt, ne n
ment heads by the Mayor. which would |
tend TO remove such Offices from poll |
tics.
AS a result Of the protests. the sec !
ton OF the City Charter dealing with |
the South Side courts VISA passed for |
further consideration by the committee, |
pending It's consideration by City Al |
torney Pollard.
WYATT WANTS FEES
AS PROCESS SERVER |
William II. Wyatt, High Constable OF !
the city5sf lsichmond. also appeared be- /
fore the Committee. and suggested that |
his Office be designated the official |
process server OF the Civil Justice |
Court. During the past four months |
his business had been reduced 90 per
cent, he said. and his Office had little !
or no status. with his powers indefl- !
mite. Either the Sheriff or the City |
Sergeant could at any time step in |
and serve his papers. he declared. The |
Office had never netted him more than |
$4,000 annually, his record year being |
only $500, which decreased to $500 |
asst year.
The subcommittee OF the Charter
Change Committee recommended in its
report that all warrants for civil mat
ters of the character handled by the
High Constable be issued b. the JUS
tice OF the Civil Court. and the fees
he turned into the City Treasury. Mr..
Wyatt offered to provide a clerk and
bailin for the court IL he was made the
official process server. Under such cir
cumstances. however. the issuance OF
warrants would continue to be made
Ivy magistrate in his office, from,
which he would receive the. fees, and
the. objects of the subcommittee de-
feated.
Tho meeting last night lasted for
several hours, with members expressing
determination to carry out their work
as quickly as possible. For this rea-
son. Councilman Peters. president of
the lower branch. offered motion for
another meeting Of the body Tuesday
night, with nightly meetings until it's
work IS completed.
Practically tho entire session last
night was occupied ~ tho talks OF the
South Richmond delegation. Among
those from this section Of the city at
tending the meeting were Judge Ernest
H. Wells. Augustine Royal, A. L.
Adamson. T. P. Pettisrew. f.. I. McCon-
nell, John G. Saunders. II. A. Maurice.
willis L. Pulliam, George Paul and
others.