The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-15
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 10. 1890.
c.SptpArEs FOR MUNICIPAL OF
FICES.


The time is approaching when the
voters Of Richmond will be called upon
10 decide as to their preference between
the candidates for the various munich
nal offices for which an election 10 to be
held. A very considerable number Of
these candidates have already declared
themselves. and are actively engaged
in presenting their claims to popular
consideration. An ample opportunity
will therefore be afforded every citizen
10 reach correct conclusion AZ to how
he shall exercise bis right of suffrage
in the instanceof each Office to be filled.
LISA matter Of the utmost concern
that every one Of the municipal offices
shall he occupied by men who enjoy the
respect Of the community at large, ana
whose character and ability alike fur
nish a guarantee Of usefulness when
advanced to official position. The Gem
missionsrship Of Revenue, the Common
wealth s-Attorneyship, the City Ser
eeantcy, and the Shrievslty, are all
Offices Of great importance, and only
men who are known to be highly COM
pstent and Trustworthy should be
chosen by the popular voice to I'LL them
Ofstill greater Importance, however
arc the positions Of aldermen ana mem
hers Of the common council, for upon
the men occupying these positions rests
the principal obligation Of looking
after the interests Of the city and shsp-
ING ito general course. The greatest
good or the greatest evil, according to
whether they are wise or foolish 1rm
or lax in principle, can be brought
ahont nv them in their official cspac-
itv. Short-sightednes IN tue rus.-A~--
of q municipal legislature, 90 far &C 1t
involves the proper steps to advance
municipal prosperity, is almost "a de-
plorable as unscrupulousness in Official
conduct. What ia required for
these positions is not only men Of
honesty whom it will be impos-
sible TO influence in an improper
way. but also men of judgment ana
discrimination. men who have the abil-
i,v To recognize what the interests Of
the city demand. and force of character
enough to act upon what their own con
victions suggest.
The sentiment is entirely too prevalent
in the popular mind with respect to all
of our public offices, that it is matter
Of comparative indifference as TO how
they are filed, and, therefore, matter
that does not closely concern the great
body OF private citizens, but this is an
error in opinion which is well cal.
culatcd to do great damage That
it is an error, is shown by
many evidences that might be
mentioned. Every citizen who has any
public spirit will acknowledge the cor
rectness of the general proposition, that
only the most competent and upright
candidates should be chosen TO Office.
and yet only a small proportion, com
paratively speaking, of our best citizens
exercise tho personal influence they
possess, to bring about the desired con-
summation. A largs majority OF such
citizens are simply content to indulge
in critical somment after the Offices are
filed. which, if filled improperly, is to
be attributed, in no small degree, to
their ewn rupincness.
Apart from all feeling Of local pride,
which. it would seem, would insist
upon the selection Of the very best men
from among the candidates who have
offered themselves, it 10 soon seen in
an emergency, how dependent not only
tho public. but also the private interests
of every citizen. are upon the character
and ability Of men in public ONCE,
There is not single individual in this
community who 10 not personally inter
ssted in she municipsl elections to take
place this spring, and who 10 not deeply
concerned In his private affairs in the
officers 10 be selected. Ii is thsplsin and
unavoidable duty of every citizen, net
only 10 cast his vote for the best csndi-
dates; but also to sse what personal
power he has to bring forward the very
highest class Of candidates that the city
can furnish This should be done EAore
especially with references 10 the Com
mon Council aud the Board Of Alder
men, as these bodies exercise the most
direct influence upon the affairs Of the
city. brt il should also be done in the
instance Of every Office TO be filed at the
coming election.