Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-08-06
go Connoil Memhership.

Many recent occurrences have drawn
public attention TO the desirabllity OF
arousing more largely the interest OF tax
PAYERS in the election of members OF the
City Council.
It's a remarkable tact that the men who
have tho greatest moDeved interest IN this
community give themselves less concern
than auy other clsss In the matter OF Sc
lecriug candidates for the Council and for
Other municipal positions This ought
not 20 be. Here is the place tor reform u
begin; wei begun here, 1t will extend to
all branches and departments Of our city
government.
There "a a widespread desire to raise the
standard of our pubic service and 1t can
be done with proper effort. Mr.. NOBLE
fhluks that 1t could be best accomplished
by decreasing tho number of mombers of
each branch OF the City Council and paw
iug them a regular salary for their work,
Others think that a most useful and infu-
entail element for good might be intro
duccd into the Council by electing. in add
ton 10 tho present ward delegations. few
members of the Board Of Aldermen and
few Common Councilmen from the city at
large. We might reasonably hope that
these delegates at large would be men OF
broad views. and would DO more desIrous
of serving the general community than
any particular ward or precinct. Certainly
great narrownoss of view is sometimes
manifested by ward delegations, but our
people are slow 70 move and are weddod
TO old customs. and we doubt not would
be both 10 accept the change
Then 1t has been said that our finances
could be better managed by q finance
board than by the City Council, and
doubtless this would prove true, but here.
TOO. our reluctance to move stands in our
way again.
And vet we are approaching period in
our city'shfstory when great questions will
confront Us. We are golngalong spending
m7uey on the City Hall rs If thore were
10 end 10 our resources. and are rapidly
coming face to face with the water ques-
tion-the question whether high points of
this city shall continue to remain without
sufficient supply of water, and if not,
whether we ought TO spend 100000 to
build additional works and Law addi-
tional mains, or should do as so many
other cities have done-adopt the water
meter system.
Tho water-meter system IL not popular
here as yet. This is clear. People do not
appreciate the alternative presented, and
hence are not prepared 10 accept the
meters. But the water question cannot
be dsliod with much longer. The out
rage upon large water-pavers who cannot
get the water which the city contracts to
give them Is too gross to be borne pa
tiently.
The City Council dallied with the new
City Hall question tor many years. Had
they gone to work to build it as soon as
the people voted 100000 therefor we
might have had a building which would
have been sufficient for all of our wants
for about one third of the money that the
present structure has cost US; but no, the
City Council temporized until they We're
forced TO act in obedience to storm of
popular indignation. Let us be wiser In
dealing with the water question.
Let us consider it now whilst we may do
30 quietly and thc1ghtfully. Don't wait
till driven by the indignation of the peo-
pie. If we are to have meters say SO; it
not proceed to increase the tax levies and
raise the funds necessary 10 pay interest
on 100000 more of city bonds.
Perhaps in dealing with all Of these
great questions the city's interests would
be advanced by creating finance board.
Perhaps we might strengthen the Council
in wisdom and popular favor by electing
20 it some members from the city at large.
AL of these are things worthy to be con-
Bidered especially by the large taxpayers
who usually act the part OF nero lockers
on whilst municipal affairs of the grayest
consequence 10 them are being passed
upon.