The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-12

The discussion over the matter OF
changing the charter was active yes
terday and the prospects are that a
good-sized audience will BIO at the
mass meeting called for tomorrow
night to discuss the subject from tho
citizens standpoint.
1t was minated on the streets yes
terday that If the people who called the
meeting were not careful the mem bers
Of Council might get large representa-
ton Of their followers at the meeting
and take such action as would sustain
the work OF that body.
There is general disposition, how.
over, to indulge IN general discussion
over the merits of the case, and not
resort to any political scheme to defeat
this end.
Observer it seems, was not
squelched by "Citizen's" last letter but
on the contrary replies as forcibly as
ever in the following communication:
To THE EDITOR OF THE ROANOKE
TINES: On one occasion the editor Of a
Certain Roanoke paper wrote an edi-
torial. 1t was an aged effort, but
bristled with whiskers, lampoonery,
and an over production OF words Its
object was to annihilate Mr.. Herbert j.
Browne, editor OF THE TINES. But that
distinguished editor copied the article
in full, made no comment, but gave 1t
this appropriate headline, Tho Buz-
Ling Of Fly Impaled or Pin"
l therefore set up the commune alton
OF Citizen" as it appeared in Sunday
mornings TIMES, call tho attention Of
the people to it, and place that same
caption over it, and repel any imputa-
ton OF plagiarism whatever. 1t is use
less to reply to Citizen" otherwise.
Tho whole article is inconsistent with
his first appearance. In his former
communication he breathed the spirit
of popular liberty, and raised his hands
AZ the thought of centralized power
In his next he favors monopoly OF
power in tho hands of the executive,
and misquotes an eminent English
author to sustain his position.
He quotes two or three paragraphs
from an article written by Seth Low,
an autoeratic mayor Of Brooklyn, N. Y,
and ascribes it to James Bryce, an Eng
llshman, and author of the american
Commonwealth" 1t is true that Mr..
Bryce has engrafted the article in his
book by way of a supplement, but tax es
care TO give Mr.. Low credit for it.. In
Brooklyn the mayor is an autocrat. lie
has gathered around him q political
ring for the last ten years, and the con-
sequences need not be repeated. 1t is q
10 after of history that Body was routed
and overthrown on account OF the mie-
use of the power granted him under the
charter Of the city, and the reigns of
government in a citadel of democracy
are now held by Republican.
II m or 10 rom harad o1co tbot NJ,
Bryce says that in cities Of less than
10000 inhabitants that the power
usually lodged in the legislative depart
ment is perfectly safe and seems to be-
the best for all purposes.
So much for Citizens" attempt to
pander of on an Intelligent public an
opinion on municipal government by an
autocratic mayor and accred:t it to Mr..
James Bryce.
After this barefaced attempt to per-
vert facts "Observer" will state that he
is in no wise inclined to accept any ad-
vice from "Citizen" whatever, whether
it be warning as to the ravages of the
Musca Vomitoria or any other nonsense
OF the like He has no fears either OF
"Citizen" affecting this locality (al-
though the disease is sometimes catch
ing) with the Muscae Volitantes, gen.
orally supposed to be notes in the eye,
visions in the air or bla,k spots float
ing before the face and recently applied
to cranky individuals who sometimes in
fest community, but who are nearly
always exterminated on the passage of
the fool.killer.
Citizen" advances not single idea
in his second commune alton; he re-
flutes nothing, but, unintentionslly, l
presume, let's the people know just
what constitutes the "nigger in the
woodpile." He states that the board of
public works Is good institution and
has certain defined duties. 1t has to
approve all bills for pu olic improve
ments. But he knows nothing of the
personnel at present. Here is another
monstrosity and here lies the secret of
the whole proceeding. No one ques-
lions the personnel of the board of
public works. That is point entirely
out of the case. But the people Of
Roanoke have demanded through their
representatives in Council that the
institution known as the board of pu bile
works should be abolished. Council has
acted accordingly, and in connection
Herewith has made some few other
changes which it deemed to be for the
best interests of the city. Itmay be or
be plausible, and has gained considera
Bile ground in the last forty eight hours
that this Is sly scheme to prevent the
city from getting any amendments what
ever to the charter during the present
session OF the general assembly.
How Is 1t that the matter was allowed
to rest until the Council had completed
It's work and transmitted the new draft
of the proposed charter to the legisla-
ture? Has not the matter been in the
hands of the committee on ordinances