The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-08
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many much needed physical improvements
to be made in the city. We are snort OF
money for making them. our credit Is
| little strained. and our tax rate IS as heavy as
the people are willing or ought to be Wiling
10 bear We need great deal OF money 10
make our streets what they ought 70 be, and
the superintendent of gas threatens early
and heavy demands for his department.
Where is the money for these and other immi-
nent demands TO come from We do not
mean to say that we possess the wand a touch
Of which will turn granite into gold. nor do
we mean to claim patent for improving our
finances. We think. however. we can sug-
gest some changes in our plan of govern
mental administration that will be much
better for the administration and will proba-
bly, bring money into the treasury.
In every business that man succeeds best
who keeps his eyes most closely upon the
details Of his business. The gross results
of his business is a summary of its de-
tails If each detail is specifically watched, If
every article is bought as cheaply as possible
and sold for the best profit possible, the sum
total of the details will show a much larger
/ profit. than if some details had been watched
! while others were allowed to SHIFT for them
selves.
| II this elementary principle of mercantile
business we're fully applied TO our citys gov
eminent. we believe it would show most
profitable results in every direction. How
can it best be applied: Weanswer by very
simple and obviously proper change in our
present form Of administration.
At present all of the city's revenue is paid
into the city treasury in one common fund
and each department takes from the common
fund what its managers can persuade the
Council that department ought to have. Con-
seouently each departments aim is princ-
pally TO get money. 1t has little thought for
what it can save and accumulate. Two Of
these departments, the fire and police. must
remain on this footing since neither one pro-
duces a cent Their value. and each is un-
dispensable. is in preventing destruction. The
other departments however. all produce
evenue Let the principles Of a merchants
business be applied to these.
The city's books should be examined and it
should be determined what the Water Depart
ment has cost the city. and that department
should be charged each year the interest on
what that sum is. 1t should then be credited
with all of IFS receipts. If II has a surplus,
which it certainly will have. a part IF this sur
plus should be set aside as a sinking fund to
extingush its construction bonds: another
part should be set aside to form a fund TO pro-
vide for the improvements that Will be re-
Il 80, r,r+t, {. ell l.,
turned into the treasury to the general
account of the city. The same should be
done with the Gas Department and with the
sewers Streets are not yet in shape to have
the principle applied to them. 1t is obvious
that this system would put each department
on its mettle to make the best possible show
ing. Each would reduce its expenses To
minimum. and each would produce all the
revenue that it could We believe that the
application of this system to the three de-
partments named would show an unexpected
result in one years time. II the system of
water meters (of which we shall have more 10
say we're added to the Water Department we
believe the increase in its revenues alone in
one year would astonish the people.
General Bradley I. johnson. when a repro
sentative Of the city OF Richmond. got the
General Assembly 10 apply the germ of the
system here indicated to our Police Depart
ment and it has worked like charm. He
separated that department from the general
city government and placed it under the con-
troll Of a separate commission. The result
manifested itself at once. Though the com
missioners received no pay for their services
they took the greatest possible pride IN their
department: the best citizens served willingly
on the board and Richmond for fifteen years
has had model police force. a few years back
the charter was amended so as to put the FIRE
department under a similar commission, aud
no fire department is now better managed
than Richmond's One striking result has
been shown With exactly the same appr0-
priation that the department had before the
commission was created. it has saved money
enough to buy new truck. new engine and
10 build new station-house.
We do not contend for separate commits
sion for each Of the departments we have
mentioned Ii would be useless 70 contend
for that now. since an amendment TO tho
charter must be had TO create these and the
Legislature Is not in session. All we contend
for now is an application of the principle as
method of business under the direction 81
the Councils committees. Let US once get
the principle applied and the public can be
trusted to demand srtch agencies for working
it AS shall appear to be best suited We are
about 10 elect new Council. Let this idea
be the one upon which it shall 10 elected.
Vote for the man who will segregste the de-
partments and put each upon its own bottom.
Withhold your vote from the man who will
not declare how he stands upon this PROPOSE
ton.