The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-23
To tie Tax.Psyers of Richmond.

Your attention IS respectfully called to
the two following resolutions that will be
introduced by Captain Maxwell r. Clarke
at the meeting Of the Common Council on
the first Monday in August:
/. BE il ordained By the Council Of the
city Of Richmond 0hc Board OF Aldermen
concurring), That section Of chapter 10
OF the City Ordinances be amended by in
scrting after the word "thercoi," at the
conclusion Of said section, the words "or
any person whom the above may designate
or employ: provided, however. that the
said person shall be compensated by the
person engaging such service, and not at
the expense Of the city.
=. BE II ordained by the Council Of the
city Of RichmOnd Qhe Board Of Aldermen
concurrIng). That ordinance 40, "concern-
ing the Board OF Public interest,"" be
amended by inserting as the Sd section the
following: "No officer or employe OF the
city, or other person engaged in the city
government. shall, directly or indirectly,
engage in filling any contract with the city.
or furnish supplies TO the city or any Of itS
employees" and that section 3 in said Ordi-
nance shall be changed to 4, and that Sec
ton be changed to 3.
All the members OF both branches OF the
City Council who are in favor OF reform
will heartily support Captain Clarke's reso-
lutions, on which he will demand record
ed vote. | would suggest to each taxpayer
to interview his representative, and in
struct him to vote for Captain Clarke1
cOmmon-sensc, honest resolutions. ShOull
such interviews fail, then let them csll
ward-mectingS, discuss these reform rejO-
lutions, and instruct their representatives
in both branches OF our city government
that they Ohe taX-payers) must have re-
form, or they must assert their rights by
asking said representatives to resign. Let
us see what good results will follow the
adoption OF Captain Clarke's resolutions {:
First. as to Captain Clarke's first resohl-
tiOn giving to any member OF the Council the
right TO employ at his own cost book
keeper or clerk to examine papers, youch-
erS, &C., in the Auditors office, when the
member himself cannot spare the time from
his business to do so. Ii this resolution be
adopted. promise, by the aId Of a cOmpo-
tent boOkkceper. to show, and to give the
names TO the taxpayers through the press,
that members Of the City Council have
made per cent. commissions selling city
bonds; that thousands Of dollars have been
paid, and are now being paid, TO few ia
Voritcs Of the Council for various supplies
bought for city use, thus preventing honest
competition by our merchants. Copies OF
receipts giving the names Of members OF
the Council, with prices paid them for arti-
clcs furnished the city, will be furnished
the taxpayers through the daily press.
Thus il will be shown why some men can
afford to spend hundreds and thousands to
be elected to serve the dedr people.
Captain Carkc's second resolution, pro-
hibiting members OF the Council from SELL
ing supplies directly or indirectly TO the
city or her employees, will protect the city
and it. honest employees, who have been
quietly forced to buy from certain members
OF the City Council at high prices or lose
their situations, thereby being virtually
made slaves and forced TO sacrifice their
independence and manlinesS, and destroy
ing their usefulness TO the city as efficient
employees. twill also protect the treasury
OF the city from excessive charges, a. no
member can then furnish supplies and pass
on his own account with the city, acting
in the double capacity OF city agent, whose
duty is to buy at the lowest price, and on
his own behalf to sell ut the highest price
to the city.
I again eXhort the taxpayer to inter-
view at once their delegates, and impress
on them their duty to vote for Captain
Clarke's resolutions, il they really desire
reform; and thus show to their constltl-
ents that they court investigation and de-
sire reform.
These resolutions may bear hard upon
some personal interest represented in the
Council, but let lis all be satisfied with the
honor Of serving the city, and let our less
honored merchants make legitimate profits
by selling TO the city.
Worry rpsnpctfully. K. ~. tHAFFlN.