Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-09
r,. Mood of n City Accountant.

So far the Board of Aldermen ana
Common Council have not been able 10
agree as TO the appointment OF city
accountant That is 10 say, the TWO
bodies agree that there should be such
an officer. but they are not Of one NINA
as TO who should appoint him, or "hat
should be his duties.
II seems to us that the proposition OF
the Board Of Aldermen is a good one
that the accountant should be appointed
nv the Mayor. The Constitution OF TINS
State gives 10 the mayors OF cities very
great powers as TO examining into the
accounts Of city officers. etc. But we
all know that II would be impossible
for the Mayor of Richmond 10 perform
all the duties usually required or nm,
and also examine the books OF public
officers. If a competent accountant were
placed at his command. he could keep
watchful eye upon each department of our
government. Besides, as the representa-
tive of the Mayor. the accountant would
be a person of authority, and could al
WAYS secure access TO books and papers
which perhaps might otherwise be de-
MED him.
But 10 matter under whose direction the
city accountant is TO work, his appoint
ment ought to come from a source, indie
pendent. as far as possible, Of the in
fuence of the persons whose books he is
10 inspect IL this be not done the ac-
countant will always be on his ''ps and
as" lest he offend some man who may
defeat him OF re-election.
The very best way to get the very best
results from the work OF city account
ant is to establish a board Of finance
and put the accountant under the orders
Of the board. But ii IS obvious that the
CITY Council will not at this time sur
render any Of Its authority to board OF
finance, and the next safest course is 10
let the Mayor or the Board of Public
Interests appoint the accountant.
We do not care how the accountant Is
appointed. so that he is freed as far as
possible from the necessity OF consider
ing whenever he makes any move.
whether 1t will gain or lose votes for him.
The people of Richmond are dead in
earnest in this matter, and we hope the
City Council is too. We have had too
many defalcations here, and the re-
coverles on official bonds have been too
small. Better things are demanded of our
party In the future and we cannot afford
10 dsappoint the public. We are rich in
experience; yes, rich in impoverishing
experience. 1t is time for us 20 take
bond against the future. II we cannot
oave a board Of finance. let's have
.ity accountant who is capable and con-
scientious, and who is so circumstanced
Us TO be able to discharge his duties fear
essly
The Dispatch not only feels free to
urge the City Council TO fulfil public ex-
pectatlon In this matter, but we feel
bound TO do 1t. 1t is duty that We
owe the community and our party, and
which we dare not neglect. We have al
ways preached the doctrine that the
people may trust the Democratic party
TO give them good government, and We
ire still firm in that faith; but recent
occurrences. 10 put II mildly, show that
Ill Of the financial affairs OF Richmond
fave not been wisely managed. better
BUSINESS system is demanded. This sys-
.em the Democratic party ought to in
iugurate. and not compel the public to
seek relief from any so-calied reform
movement"