Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-19
FRIDAY.........JULY 10, 1895.
and Charter Amendments.

~
The Democratic primary election IN
Charlotte county last Saturday, at which
Mr.. Rice was nominated for the House Oh
Delegates, was, we believe. the hrst OF
the sort held in this State. 1t was con-
Quoted under rules very similar to the
provisions of the Walton election law.
1t seems TO us that the walton 'Aus'
tralian) system is the very thing for all
those persons VINO are opposed TO the
use of money by candidates for nominal
tion. Under II IL would be useless Tor
any candidate to pay for votes. because
ne could never tell IL the votes were de-
livered. and so the system would eradi-
cate a pernicious practice which mas Cd
tanned in some localities. The system
would also be helpful TO men or smaii
means who wished to offer for pubic
place. and who otherwise would not De
able to compete with men of fortune,
willing to spend money freely.
1t has been pretty well agreed We De-
iieye. that the Richmond nominations
shall not be made until late In September
or early In october. but when they are
made we trust that 1t WIFI be under the
Australian ballot system. We feel quite
sure that IL the City Democratic Commit.
Tee will adopt the Australian system Tor
our primary election a better class OF
candidates will announce themselves Tor
tbs House than would otherwise do so.
There are many men here whose services
would be- valuable 10 us and who are
willing to give us their time, but who are
not willing to spend five or six hundred
dollars at a primary election. All such
persons favor the Australian system and
citizens generally favor II; but there is
class Of men who have made good deal
of money by serving as workers at the
polls who would object to any election
system which would take. away their en-
ployment. But We should think that the
City Committee. in adopung a plan, would
prefer to please the general public rather
than the few who have selfish interests
to serve.
We have lately appealed to our business
men 10 take more interest in municipal
affairs, and we would also have them
take more interest in State affairs. espe-
cially I'm the election of members of the
House this fall. At the coming session
OF the General Assembly there Will be
many financial questions UP for discussion,
and no doubt action will be taken looking
to a revision of our State Constitution.
What is more. IL Is quite certain that sew
eral amendments TO our city charter VIII
be petitioned for, especially one proposing
that some Of the city officers now elected
BY the City Council shall hereafter be
elected by the people. This amendment
Is not approved by the City Council and
is opposed by many voters. but has active
friends, and viii be Zealously urged, we
Ssarn.
IL our businessmen are wise they Will
organize a movement and get for IL the
support Of the voters generally in favor
of an amendment to the city charter pro-
yiding for the creation of board OF
finance. Independent of the important
work Of supervising the bookkeeping
methods of the various departments. this
board is much needed here. Properly con-
III COulu W t&if 1ilN tOtH-
iii valuable help I'm creating new sources
Of revenue in seeing that taxpayers take
more pains in making out their tax re-
turns, and In equalizing the burdens OF
taxation.
When we consider that the income Of
Richmond Is less than its expenditures,
and that for some years past the City
Council has been paying the city's floating
debts by selling city bonds we at once see
aow. board of finance might serve us
effectively.
Our taxpayers frequently say that they
are not considered In the revenue mea-
sures passed upon by tie City Council
Now, II they really believe this they ought
to be in favor of creating a board OF
Snance. and ought to be interested in the
approaching Legislative CONTEST.
In view Of the important subjects of
legislation to come UP a the next legisla.
tive session. Democrats all over the State
ought to be searching for good and able
men to send TO the General Assembly;
but we know of no constituency that has
80 great a stake In the matter as Rich
mond, nor Of any place where the SUBJ
ject Is commanding so little general al
tention.