The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-01-15
Saturday Morning, Jan. is, 1853.
CREATION OF A NEW OFFICE BY
THE CITY COUNCIL.

The people Of this city are singuiarly mat
ten,ive to the proceedings of their Council
We doubt whether one in twenty is aware that
that body is about 10 create & new office, TO De
under their control, with doubtless large sal
airy attached TO il, TO be taken by taxation from
the pockets ofthe people. Utterly opposed TO
il in principle, and unable TO see the expedI-
ency Of the act, we call the earnest attention OF
the people to the proceeding. -
The act TO amend the charter OF the city of
Richmond, usually known as The August law,
entirely swept the patronage from the hands Of
the Council, and placed ii in those of the peo-
pie. The amended act. OF March, 1882, con-
6rmed the provisions of the former act in this
respect, but omitted TO mention the City Sur
veyor. His Office was created by the Council,
a few years ago, and he is elected by the
Council. The title OF his office clearly enough
defines its duties. He is required to do every
act that the Engineer will be required to de-
The Council themselves appointed the pre-
sent inc umhent and therefore, we presume, do
not find fault with his ability. Yet another
man is TO be inIruded upon him, 10 take part
OF his duties, and that man is to be their off.
Ger. This is the boldest attempt to stretch
power, and to increase patronage, that ever
fell under our observation. The people of the
city have said, 1--WE will have the power of ap-
pointment in our own hands" The Council,
unable to reverse their solemn decision, at
tempt, indirectly, TO reduce the Offices in their
gift to a nulliy, flor we understand the Sur
veyor is to be elected next time by the people,
We regard iris as the first step on the part
of the Council, TO the resumption OF all the
power and patronage ofwhich the August act
and the act of 1852 deprived them. Having il
in their power to create what Offices they may
please, they have only to give the new officer
different name from that held by the officer
elect, Engineer, for instance. instead OF City
Surveyor Ito cut down the salary ofthe old
officer so low that no one will have the office
and 10! it falls into their hands Every one
of offices, enumerated in the August law,
may be thus disposed of, and tn US disposed of
they unquestonably will be, if this thing is
not checked here. The Mayors salary may
be cut down to $50, bee ause he i; only elected
by the psople; but the Council Ia far more
nportan, body it appears) may appoint
Chief of Police, prescribing to him nearly all
the duties of the Mayor, and giving him
princely salary. So it may be with every 9th
er officer, and so, ii we are to judge from the
spirit in which this scheme seems to be con-
eeiyed, it will be.
The people have but little time 10 look into
this matter. They have rhas far been strange
ly inattentive to it, the more SO that it is not a
usurpation Of power, but, what is far worse,
stretch Of power granted. They ought to be
allowed time to understand this thing, and yet
q nap,judgment is to be taken on them, for
the matter is TO be settled on Monday evening
Opposed as we originally were TO the August
law, we are not now disposed TO see it set aside
unless by act Of the Legislature.