Mayor Taylor's Veto
October 13, 1894
Summary
Mayor Taylor of Richmond vetoes an appropriations bill for the black First Battalion Virginia Volunteer Infantry, which is overturned by the Council of Alderman of Richmond.
Transcription
The action of Mayor Richard m. taylor of this city on vetoing an additional appropriation of $2,500 for the erection of an armory for the First Battalion Virginia Volunteer Infantry (Colored) was a surprise, but the response thereto last Tuesday night by the Board of Aldermen was no less emphatic. This magnificent body, by a unanimous vote stood by its former action, demonstrating that it recognized the fact that no considerable portion of the population should be (unintelligent) or unjustly discriminated against in a city of progress, which is making rapid strides in the direction of becoming one of the foremost municipalities in this country.
We viewed Mayor Taylor’s action more with pity than with anger, feeling that his unfortunate message based upon the color line would cause many white gentlemen of the same party persuasion to “bite their lips” with vexation and feel ashamed that the official head of this great city government had made himself ridiculous in the eyes of the SOuthland and the country, ere yet the robes of office had become adjusted to the lines of the figure which they had been made to adorn.
These colored militiamen are under the direct control of Hon. Charles T O’Ferrall, the Commander-in-Chief of all land and naval forces of the commonwealth, and in case of riot or other disorder in this city are under the command and direction of Mayor Taylor himself.
These colored troops have been trained to obey implicitly their commanding officers, and should an order be given, requiring them to fire upon their own color they would not hesitate to do it.
“Theirs not to make reply,
Their not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die”
The riots at Newport News many years since demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt the efficiency of this branch of the service. When was is made upon us the enquiry is made for a being who can handle a rifle and be brave in the exercise of rifle and be brave in the exercise of it. The color does not enter into the matter. It was hardly necessary to argue this question since the facts to argue this question since the facts are so plain that he who runs may understand.
Suffice it to say that troops are maintained for the protection of the life and property of a community and when the constabulary and police force are unable to cope with spreading disorder, they are called into service.
As gentlemen, identified with and belonging to the white race are owners of the larger portion of property and by force of numbers possess also the greater portion of life to be saved, it stands to reason that they should be most forward in the advocacy of all measures which would secure the best protection which can be obtained.
It was with this idea in view that both branches of the City Council have done what it could for the betterment and encouragement of its citizen soldiery.
The Oath which Mayor taylor has so recently taken, declaring that he recognized the civil and political equality of all men before the law and that he would maintain and support the Constitution of Virginia and the Constitution of the United States should have warned him as to the languages to be used in his official document...
We viewed Mayor Taylor’s action more with pity than with anger, feeling that his unfortunate message based upon the color line would cause many white gentlemen of the same party persuasion to “bite their lips” with vexation and feel ashamed that the official head of this great city government had made himself ridiculous in the eyes of the SOuthland and the country, ere yet the robes of office had become adjusted to the lines of the figure which they had been made to adorn.
These colored militiamen are under the direct control of Hon. Charles T O’Ferrall, the Commander-in-Chief of all land and naval forces of the commonwealth, and in case of riot or other disorder in this city are under the command and direction of Mayor Taylor himself.
These colored troops have been trained to obey implicitly their commanding officers, and should an order be given, requiring them to fire upon their own color they would not hesitate to do it.
“Theirs not to make reply,
Their not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die”
The riots at Newport News many years since demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt the efficiency of this branch of the service. When was is made upon us the enquiry is made for a being who can handle a rifle and be brave in the exercise of rifle and be brave in the exercise of it. The color does not enter into the matter. It was hardly necessary to argue this question since the facts to argue this question since the facts are so plain that he who runs may understand.
Suffice it to say that troops are maintained for the protection of the life and property of a community and when the constabulary and police force are unable to cope with spreading disorder, they are called into service.
As gentlemen, identified with and belonging to the white race are owners of the larger portion of property and by force of numbers possess also the greater portion of life to be saved, it stands to reason that they should be most forward in the advocacy of all measures which would secure the best protection which can be obtained.
It was with this idea in view that both branches of the City Council have done what it could for the betterment and encouragement of its citizen soldiery.
The Oath which Mayor taylor has so recently taken, declaring that he recognized the civil and political equality of all men before the law and that he would maintain and support the Constitution of Virginia and the Constitution of the United States should have warned him as to the languages to be used in his official document...
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Mayor Taylor's Veto,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed February 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1487.