The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-05
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1891.
nrn1o1rAL rLnorKIC rLANr.


pono-ded from a general point OF view
,hore are undoubtedly several lmpof'' ""
funds Of objection TO the proposition en-
$50 in ,hs resolution recently adopted 10y
Uncommon Council providing for an ap-
W ofS75,OOO for the purchase oil a
KANT TO light the city by electricity
IN the first place that proposition ID Up
% the sound Democratic principle
inh,ch reduces to the smallest compass the
,,atornal features of government, Whe'heI
n.,,onaI state. or municipal. Nhate'ercah
~ done by individuals, subject to the con-
,rol Of the municipal power but SUBJECT
only IN the extent Of the wel-dehned terms
- an ordinary contract, should not be done
directly by that municipal power ilsel'
Sn.h .roadly stated, is an essential doc
,,ine Of Democracy. and 1t is just a. ap2il-
c.hle TO a city as 10 the Union at large.
+, other words, if electricity can be iur-
pished to our municipal corporation 'or
nnrnoses of illumination by a private conn.,
nony. bound 10 its agreement by careful
local restrictions, it would seem advisable
am the ground Of the general principle &c
,sbicb we have referred, TO leave the wOit
ef lipAting the city 10 such a company
especially If the charge which the Latter
,yonld make would be brought down to th'
lowest point by active competition.
Competitive rates are assured, and ever
If the measure Of expense to the city Wer'
moi 10 fail as low as if the city itself con
trolled and manipulated its own plant Tia
difference would be covered, morally speak
ing. by the sounder principle when woui'
be recognized in contracting with outSiu
parties for the light demanded.
one OF the greatest dangers OF the preseh
0ay is the Capitalization of power an
this danger is proportiOnately as great d
the instance Of municipal as Of any oihe
branch Of government, and should be a
carefully and Systematically avoided eve
# some additional expense or considers
ole amount of inconvenience be impose
upon the people at large. But neither
under the special circumstances necessar
ly entailed.
There is still another ground OF oigeouo
10 the proposed ownership Of an electf
plant by the city, and ihis Is. IN some oi II
aspects, the most Important OF all th'
might be mentioned We refer to the add
zion which il would make TO our presel
force Of office. holders. Whatever serves
enlarge the circle of o1ice.holders OF a mi
nicipal corporation is to be Deprecated
the light of the history OF all OF the gre
cities of the Union, which have suiier'
much, both in treasury and in reputation
from official combinations which have on
been rendered possible by the amount
municipal patronage 10 be divided up Wh
the offices, whether important or insisni
cant, lucrative or scantily remunerau'
are numerous.
With the number Of Offices connect'
with the municipal government Of kc
mond very much increased, il is not to
supposed that We will escape the eN
which have flowed from this source to SUI
a notable degree in the instance Of Ne
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and NJ
Orleans. The policy Of charging l
sphereof our municipal control Is for IL
reason open to serious question IN eve
ease where the line of extension e
croaches upon ground nat, strictly spoa
ing, does not come within the province
municipal government If the Democr"
principle be applied. Such would see
tobe the case in the instance of an elecu
plant il The CITY should decide TO cstaOll
Dnp of its own.