The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-05

THE CHARTER.

The report of the charter committee
will 60 before Council, it is understood,
at special meeting to be called for to-
morrow night. 1t should be made clear
to the public that tho charter committee
do not claim that their work was fully
important amendments remained to be
made and not few minor alterations
will be necessary.
The committee is deserving of COM
mendation for conscientious work
While attempting few changes of radi-
cal nature, they have divorced magis-
terial functions from the mayors office
and returned to it large share OF the
executive power which is its by right,
and which is necessary to a strong ad-
ADMINISTRATION. .
The mayor is to supervise the various
city officers and see that their duties
are properly fulfilled. If any language
can be used to strengthen this, it should
be. The responsibility OF every official
for the failure of his subordinates to do
their duty should be made clear.
In marked degree the way has been
made clear to divest the Council OF its
executive functions. The creation of a
board Of public works will at one stroke
cake two-tbirds of this. This board
of public works should be made
strong in authority and respon-
sibility. All new public work,
Improvements and repairs should come
under their control. The mayor should
have jurisdiction over the clerks of the
markets, the almshouse and the fire de.
partment, just as he would have over
tho police force. On all these points
the charter committee has worked in
the right direction and should 60 on to
complete its work.
AS to the dual body in Councils, there
is wide divergence of opinion. One
would certainly act as a check on the
other. 1t is almost equally certain that
they would frequently bar progress. If
both bodies have equal jurisdiction,
deadlocks and wrangles will be immi-
nent. Each body will insist that It's
way Of doing things shall go. The
least remaining shadow OF executive
function would be paralyzed between
the two
Roanoke is young. 1t needs rapid
and expansive action rather than that
which comes from too stif-geared ma
chinery. The simpler the form OF its
municipal machine, the more direct and
centered its powers, the better will be
its government. A single BODY will
meet every requirement If properly con-
stituted. And therein the suggestion
of the Commercial Association is emit
tied to consideration.
That body proposes that coun ,ilmen
elected on general and ward tickets.
shall sit in the same body. The tenure
of Office can be easily adjusted. If
there are but five of the special coun-
cilmen and their term OF Office is three
years, they might be elected, one from
the First ward fer three years, two from
the Second and Third ward for two wears
and two from the Fourth and Fifth ward
for one year. Then next year the Fourth
and Fifth would elect for three wears.
and so on in rotation. The same plan
could be followed in case of the
elections of councilmen by wards.
Bat in view of the exactions of
ommittee work, it may be deemed
wise to make Council body Of not less
than twenty-five members.
Having received the report Council
should labor at IL assiduously for the
remainder OF tho week, and then sub.
NIT 1T to the people for ratification.