The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-19

enumerated In your article? II the peo-
pie are to elect the commissioners, why
not give them the privilege Of eiecting the
heads Of the departments. and let the
committees OF the Council control them,
as at present? In this you are not very
explicit. We do not think well or your
commission scheme. The people do not
wish to delegate this power to oody
OF men that they can perform themselves.
and they will insist upon the election Oh
all the officers mentioned in the Epps reso-
luton. You say each of these depart
mcnts requires many employees. IL the
head Of the department is TO be CHOSEN
I'm a popular election. each employe wll
become u political emissary to secure the
election of its chief IL he Is in faVor
with his subordinates. The city would AT
once become ring-ruled. and governed by
a combination between 1--WE departments
that they would spend the citys money
In a way 10 make even the Reform Couh-
Gil blush" ,-.a,..,
In ali this YOU are egregiously mistaken
We have many heads OF departments al
ready elected by popular vote, anu We
have never yet witnessed comphhauo"
on the part OF these gentlemen TO secure
their elections, Notwithstanding they EN-
plov a large number Of assistants 10 ala
them in their official duties, ana as 10
an "emissary" one would not dare 10
cross the official threshold Of one OF these
high officials, for IL he did IL would be AT
the peril of his life. You say the city VIII
become ring-ruled II the Epps resolution
succeeds. This already exists in an alarm
ing degree, and can only be broken up by
the success Of the measure now under
discussion. for the little triumvirate that
now exist with visionary schemes Will cease
10 live. and the city will not be run reck-
lessly In debt as at present These officials
will be brought more in touch with the
people and they VIII be the judges OF
their fitness and qualifications for the
positions they fill. For goodness sake don't
mention the waste and extravaganza OF
public money. Look at your public debt
SIPS 065.GO. DO you call this conducting
your municipal affairs upon business prin-
ciples? II so we differ widely with you.
In conclusion, we say that we under
stand your position fully on the Epps re-
solution, but II is only TO disagree with
You as 10 the mode OF eiecting the five
heads OF departments already named; for
we think we can reap better results by
these officers being elected by the people.
You need not be panlc-strcken, Ike the
Dispatch, at the idea of electing the chief
Of police by the people for you may rest
well assured the people will elect one in
every respect qualified and he and his
whole force will be controlled by a board
as at present. The defeat of the Epps re-
solution in the Board OF Aldermen will
not delay that measure in the slightest
degree, for II is purely a patriotic as well
as a Democratic one. and Will surely sue
coed The people are determined 20 battle
for 1t until they win. We have been some
what surprised at the action OF The Times
IN regard TO this matter. inasmuch as It
claims 10 be the tribune of the people,
In other words, an organ TO defend and
protect the people in their political rights.
With these ideas and sentiments. we cam
not well see how The Times can stand
by and see a city Ike Richmond, with
its present government, carried on with
out raising its voice for a chance Where
Is your patriotism? MADISON WARD.