The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-17

worse In the way It is constituted than
tho executive is wanting In authority
and power: Is equally condemned by all
good writer's and Is being discarded
everywhere as inefficient, expensive, anu
vicious Mr.. Brice says, speaking OF
this branch of city government: But
whether these bodies have been COM
posed of one house or two the moment
the city has become large they have
ceased 10 give satisfactory results. orig
inally, these bodies were given very large
powers I'm order to carry out TO the ut
most the idea OF local government.
AS a rule" he says. they have so far
abused these powers, that almost every
where the scope OF their authority mas
been greatly restricted" Mr.. WOODROW
Wilson. in his able work entitled The
state" after showing the Importance OF
concentrating more power in the Mayor,
says: ut has been found impossible 10
prevent corrupt influences determining
the action of councils upon appointments.
a Numerous body will. just because II IS
numerous. be practically irresponsible.
and where there is irresponbility, the
temptation to immortality suffers little
check
THE COUNCIL TOO LARGE.
I conclude. then, by saying that our
city legislature is In my opinion. en-
tirely too large. Five men in the Board
of Aldermen and nine in the Council
would be a far more efficient and far less
expensive legislature. Every councilman
adds 10 the expenses Of the city. each one
feels as a rule that he has something TO
do for his constituents, and he must do it.
whether IT pays the city or not ! Would
also greatly limit the powers and duties
of these bodies as compared with those
now exercised by our councils. No With
zen can afford 20 give the time which IS
necessary 10 enable him 10 dischJrge
properly the multitude Of duties deYolv-
ing on our councilmen under our present
system.
Then, too, our system OF ward repre-
sentation is, in my opinion, the very
worst that could be devised. 1t necessa-
rily engenders "log-rollng' whenever any
important legislation is brought forward
for any part of the city, and thus II often
happens that in order TO obtain neces-
sary appropriation TO be expended in one
ward that expenditure has to be multi
piled three or four times IN order To Sc
cure the requisite votes from the other
wards. No better illustration OF the vice
of this system could be given than that
afforded in the distribution of the street
fund every year, where the representa-
are practically finished in the way OF
street Improvements, are clamoring for,
and frequently obtain appropriations for
the streets of these old wards nearly
equal TO those made for the new wards,
in which many of the streets are, OF
course. either just projected or not inn
proved at all
Every alderman and every councilman
ought, in my opinion, to be voted Tor by
the whole city. since he legislates for the
whole city. and on account OF his ntncss
rather than the location OF his residence
A word as to the composition ana work
Of the Board of Public Interests ana
nave done. The composition of that
board is left entirely TO the two branches
of the Council and the presidents thereof
and therefore. If the material Of which
il is composed is not good enough for or
does not suit the councils. they nave
themselves and their respective presidents
TO blame. But | think the consensus or
opinion is that the board has always been
composed OF very good men. The real de-
feet i'm the law creating the board, now
ever. consists. in my judgment, in allow
ing the councils to take any part In It's
creation at all. Experience has taught me
that IL would be far better 10 let the mem
hers of the board be elected or appointed
by some agency tltiltis i4NN P''''N"N -
| the Council.
That il has not done all that II was
contemplated IL would do. / am Tree 10
| admit. But that 1t has already rendered
most valuable services TO the city, thd'
its influence from its creation mas peeh
| a good one: that its scope and powers III
addition to the work of making noinl-
| nations for these boards, can be utillz'u
| for great good to the public interests
and that il only stands IN the path OF
the aspiring demagogue. | think no hh-
| preiudiccd mind who examines the act
| creating it will deny.
| have already extended this ADDRESS
| to a far greater extent than | intended
| / beg the pardon of the meeting Tor nav
ing done so. But | regard this subject
/ of - much Importance that / nave ieit
| il my duty to say what nave. MY
| deep concern for the good of this Clty'
| every part and parcel of which, love
with an unfeigned and sincere atecuon'
| is my only apology for having thus de-
| tanned you. | think we have the oppor-
| tunity afforded us now for making I'M
| portant and useful changes in our char-
| ter, and if we fail 10 embrace ii, ana 10
| instruct our representatives in the GEN
eral Assembly to have these changes
! made. We will regret it, and that the
| consequences to our city VIII be serious
| and seriously felt for years to come.
thank you. gentlemen, for your atten-
| ton.