Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-16
,,,le,, members and "go-botveen. .

4 noubtless members wa Bo-DctWeenB
will DENY the truth of these reports, but
wbetber they be true or not these mem
hars are so deeply involved and 20 uni
yerSally impugned that the public give
.oady crejepce to well-authenticated
s.or,es If this character, and even worse,
s.b;ch are circulated elsewhere. In short,
the people believe, not without reasona7
HE canse. that this board has begun TO
,ravel fine path so long trodden by other
demoraIized governing bodies of this
city. ;.
wasrecently appointed by the City Comp
trolIer in conformity TO the law Of last
winter The belief is widespread that
certain members were appointed from
corrupt motives, and that other persons
desiring such appointments were APP
nroached with improper proposals. Be
That as il may, it is quite certain that
some of the members have unsavory
renutations in connection with other tax
matters. and that the board does not in
spire confidence. 1t begins its career
amidst a storm public of indignation.
Roth of these boards should be abol-
isbed Their creation by appointment
was but deriving the people Of their
RIGHTS The boards themselves are fail
ures Nothing remains bat to undo
that which has already been done. Let
the law-making power and the appoint
inc mower confess their mistakes and
Join hands 10 rectify them. Restore to
the people in time for the approaching
Noyember election the power of
| choosing successors TO these boards.
In the aroused state of public feeling
growing out of recent exposures the
people of Cincinnati may be depended
upon 10 elect capable and Trustworthy
officers. They are III the mood 10 rise
10 the occasion. They should be en-
couraged. If this expectation be real
lied and good officers be selected now,
it will doubtless be the commencement
of lasting change for the better. a wise
observer of large experience recently
said. and said truly, that Cincinnati was
cursed with a lower moral tone in poll
tics than that which afflicted any OF the
other great cities OF the country. Now,
while the people are awake to their con
dition, let us return to "home rule, let
MS do that which is always right, and
which, at this particular juncture. IS an
especial necessity.
who can object to this? Certainly no
one opposes restoring power to the peo-
pie. from whom all of us receive our
temporary authority. Can 1t be that
there are persons upon these boards who
are ashamed or afraid TO 80 TO the peo-
pie for rheir vindication? If the gen
tlemen thus legislated ont are honest
men and enjoy and deserve the conf
dence of the people, they will welcome
the opportunity for a popular election
to the posts they now hold by appoint
ment. but if they have been unlalthtul
and undeserving then will they be I'M
willing to render an account OF their
stewardship or let the people pass upon
it at the polls. Should they shrink from
submitting their claims to the people,
whom they are sworn to serve, that IS IN
itself full confession Of incapacity or
guilt
Let the arbitrament OF the ballot de-
termine whether they possess the conf
dence of the people. No other tribunal
can settle that question : no other IS ever
sought by men conscious of services
well performed, of duty faithfully dis
charged.