The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-12
W. Fms. Re.oiurion and the City Charter.

Editor OF the Times: We regret we can
not agree with you in your editorial In
vour issue to-day headed mir. Epps
/ Resolution" The views expressed by the
| Times are not In keeping with SOUND DEM
| ocatic doctrine, and they will not De en-
t dorsed by the people. and We trust MT.
Epps will not change his resolution. but
that he will make II still stronger by IN
! cooperating the names of the other oihela's
that ne omitted in his resolution. we
fail 10 see that the city can reap any
good results from your commission ioea.
Mr. Epps does not propose that all the
policemen. all the fremen and all the en-
ployes Of the Gas and City Water WORKS
should be chosen In public elections bu,
he does say In the most explicit and en-
phatic manner that the City Attorney, SUI
perintendent City Gas Works, Superinteh-
dent Of City Water Works. superintendent
OF City Almshouse City Engineer chief or
Police and Police Justice shall be elected
by the people. Now we contend that these
officials should be subject to the Will Of
the people and that they should have
entire control OF them. The idea that
capable and well qualified men cannot be
found to I'll all Of the above departments
Is absurd indeed. The heads Of these de-
partments are all mortal and death may
ensue at any moment, to one or more or
them. 1t would be preposterous to say a
skilled and competent man could not be
found to fill the vacancy or vacancies oc-
casioned by death
Would you have these officials 10 be like
the laws Of the Modes and Persians, never
10 be changed, but 10 remain in Office all
their lives and at their death TO have
the privilege Of naming their successors.
This is not democracy. nor Is IL In keep
fy,rr 4 ba II
You speak Of employees Of departments
electioneering. TO continue the heads OF
departments in Office If the resolution or
Mr.. Fpps' shall succeed, you say IL VIII
become "a huge political bureau full OF
rottenness and corruption" Now II this
constitutes "rottenness and corruption"
this evil already exists. for we observed
a large number OF employees belonging TO
departments actively engaged In the pri-
mary election which has just taken place.
SO I'm this you are In error. Mr.. Epps'
resolution proposes 10 place the city gov
eminent upon a broad democratic basis
thereby placing the entire government
where it properly belongs under the i'm
mediate control OF the people.
When the people elected all Of their OFF,
GERS the city did not have the immense
debt of 100000 as now, nor was public
money wasted as at the present time.
The city was not compelled 10 issue baby
bonds" to protect its credit. We do not
hesitate TO say that If the present city
government continues as it exists to-day,
that in two years the credit OF the city
will be destroyed and It will be In a state
Of bankruptcy. We contend there is but
one remedy for this evil and that is for
the people to have control OF all their
municipal affairs.
We expect, and II is perfectly natural
for the officials to oppose a change IN the
city government, for their occupations are
threatened by this move for a change i'm
the city charter. The people have borne
with mismanaged government quite long
enough, and they are now determined
70 rescue It from the reckless power
under which il now exists a power
that has almost destroyed the credit and
honor Of the city. While on this subject
we would be pleased If the Times would
point out to us how the interest on the
debt Of 100000 can be paid annually
and also how the current expenses OF the
city can be met with the present revenues
arising from real and personal property
and other sources productive of same.
MADISON WARD.