The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-22
Madison War on The War Path.

Editor Times: We wish to say a word
in reply TO your editorial Views IN regard
10 the Epps resolution, now pending IN
the City Council, which has for its OBJ
ject the election Of all the heads OF the
departments You say that the city
attorney. police justice, and possibly
others should be elected" but you ran
to mention the names OF Others that
should be elected by the people. we
have never failed to mention those We
desire &c see elected by the people. Ihey
are tile city attorney, police JusuCe'
city engineer. superintendent OF the
almshouse, superintendent OF the wafer
works, superintendent Of gas works
chief of police. and president OF the
Board Of Health. Now. the only rea-
sons you have given the pub
lie for being opposed TO some
Of these officials being elected by
the people IS, that it will increase
political talk IN the various departments
We have this talk now, not only In me
city. but State departments, and II VIII
continue TO the end. Did you ever see
a Virginian I'm or out Of office that ala
not talk pOlitics2 They all do IL, ana
will continue TO the end OF time, and you
cannot prevent Il. The idea Of the city
being covered over with political ennis
saries Of the departments II Mr..
Epps' resolution prevails is absurd ana
we contend there will not be anything
OF the kind. We will have as good ana
efficient officers as we have to-day ana
there will be less money expended III
keeping up the various departments, TOT
the people will bring these oihclals
little nearer 10 them, and they VIII hoiu
them responsible for all their acts You
cal emisaries and seif-ieiecting body
~ oaicers" for these In no wise will
interfere with the proper adminlstra-
ton Of the CITY government For THIS
will 70 on satisfactorily TO the oiie''ia'
and also TO the people, and these con
iectured evils will not be thought OF
N Mr. Ems resolution succeeds Ior
tbev will have about as much bearing
an the case as when Leander swan the
ITaIlesnont" has on the mode OF eject
ING CITY officers. Everybody knows that
Toander was crank, and those VINO
know his history are not surprised AT us
swimming the Heliespopt, or any ON.
river. not half so much surprised ~
mia as AT your taking the position you
do ON the question under discussion -,
n-oo- we are for the issue when VIII
$50 tho whole OF the city government
"a the nossessfon Of the people, Where II
,,ronorlv belongs. il the Epps resolution
succeeds. which we are satisfied wiz SUI
coed Notwithstanding the views 20.
cd bv The Times. and the VIII 81 ' $50
- he eaeies that are being frightened
-, t,.ei- nrev. The present city govern
r,ort bas carried Richmond to the very
garpe ~ bankruptcy and ruin and mas sau-
died upop the people the enormous DEBT OF
e 595 OK ca. which must necessarily dwarf
the Growth and prosperity Of the city loF
,,ears II Won wish TO see how your govern
,,ert has been run. we kindly suggest 10
Won the perusal Of recent oInclal rePo' -
of vour municipal officers. In them you
viii get some idea how your city govern
mont has been run, from mayor down.
we do not hesitate 20 say that we WIN
do all that lies within our power 10
carrv out the Epps resolution regardless
Of what the press may have 10 say Oh
this subject. ,oe,
Under the old charter, amended III 1901
all Of our city officers were elected Dy 'he
people. and there was no complaint ABOUT
heir not being capable in the discharge
- tbeir duties. We have talked with a
large per cent. Of the citizens, and we
have met with but few opposed 10 Mr..
F,nps' resolution and they were ofnclals
or their employees. We do not expect but
very few. If any of this class to agree
with us on this question. II would be un-
natural and not in keeping with human
affairs for them 70 favor a scheme hke-
ly to be adverse 10 their interest. 50 the
people do not expect to receive any sup
port from these gentlemen In carrying out
the Epps resolution. We have but one
object ia view in espousing this cause,
and that Is retrenchment and reform and
placing the city government where II
properly belongs-in the possession OF
the people-where It viii always be free
from intrigue and corruption.
MADISON WARD.