Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-16
The Good Name of Richmond.

10 we tuIuC Oui kOSb sief''~
We hope SO. but when we consider tna'
we have allowed defaications OF city Of
fcials TO pile upon each other without
taking steps to change the system winch
makes such things possible. 1t would seem
that we are not as ,lgilant in protecting
the good name OF this community as we
ought to be. Why this neglect ana inu'i-
ference? Is II because our people 90 not
understand how Injurious In the eyes VI
the world such things are? Is IL because
we don't care? No: 1t isn't either oi
these things. 1t IL because our city gov
eminent Is tenacious OF old CUSTOMS anu
because few of our businessmen take
proper interest in our municipal aiais'
Prone as the public Is TO censure 'he
City Councll-and 1t was always So eve"
in the ante-bellum period-we can recaii
M instance In which the businessmen oil
p,cbmond made an earnest, vigorous Ell
fort TO effect a change OF methous III
city affairs where they were uhsuccess-
full. We repeat, the Dispatch can recaii
no instance where the Chamber OF |oi"-
merce or our businessmen, acting III CON-
cert failed TO secure at the hands OF the
civ Council or the General Assembly
OF Virginia the legislation that they
asked
sucb. we believe, are the facts from
the record. And they ought TO ehcourase
our taxpayers to give more afternoon "
nublic affairs, and make their WISHES
known more frequently. Very often IN
deed the city Council would be glad 10
have the advice Of the businessmen at
any rate 1t stands in need OF such au'ice
month in and month out.
Richmond has outgrown the business
methods that prevail In most OF her de-
nartments. and the advice OF our busi-
ness-men is needed by the City Council.
so as to effect changes which VIII pehe-
nt the city Treasury and profit the tax
pavers. Changes ought TO be made along
the whole line. There ought to be
stricter watch on receipts and expehdi-
lures. and this supervision should begih
with the taxpayers returns. and not emu
until IL IS seen that every dollar colieci-
ed and appropriated is properly account
ed for 1t is for u.s. brother Democrats
TO make the changes necessary we
have no occasion TO call In the help Oh
"reformers" or Readjusters or Repubh-
cans: we understand what is wanted. ana
we ought to meet popular expectation.
Richmond needs a bureau OF NANCE
call II a board of control. board OF IL
nance. board OF finance and audit or
what YOU will We are not Sticking LOT
names. 1t is the substance that we are
seeking; a central authority which, I'M
der the direction Of the Mayor and City
Council shall give study and attention
and expert knowledge 10 the supervision
of our accounts and finances. In this
way. in this way only. 1t seems TO u.s. can
we ascertain if Richmond Is gathering In
all the money that is its due, and paying
II out TO the proper people and TO the
best advantage. Tax returns, Official
bonds. contracts for supplies, book-keep-
ing methods, etc, should all be scruu-
nized by this bureau or board, and where
ever legislation is needed for the better
security Of the treasury that fact should
De fepoIltu -! '"c DOo'N ~ 49, N'
Council.
For a year at least this board would
have hard work, for during all that time
IT and its bookkeeping experts would
have TO be engaged in investigating the
various city departments, with the view
Of informing itself as TO the suiiiciency
OF the methods in use. This would be
a serious labor; labor which none but
EXPERTS could perform. and which no ex-
perts would do without compensation.
There have now been three notorious
and fragrant Declarations OF city ON
Gals here. and II does not seem that
there Is any power in our municipal sys-
TEN TO prevent others Of the same sort.
Such remedies as have so far been pro-
posed in the City Council are tentative
merely: not one goes to the root Of the
evil; not one proposes to put our finances
under one general and responsible head.
All propose to leave the existing system
intact and without central power and
control.
So il Is time that we were demanding
radical changes in our financial system.
II IS time for our businessmen TO pro-
claim the popular wish in this respect.
All of us have a moneyed stake in
this matter. Moreover, and this Is very
important, the good name Of Richmond
| is involved, and the time TO act Is now.
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