Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-05
Thu RsDAY. SEPTEMBER 8. 1895
No. Not the Commissioners.

NV its action night before last the
City Democratic Committee has eh'arseu
the scope OF the Epps resolution 10 ="
extent not originally contemplated. When
the resolution was I'm It's broadcast FORM
before IL was amended by the City Coan-
cliff did not contemplate the eiec-
t,on OF the Police and Fire commas
eioners by the people. and we are s"'-
prised that the committee shouio nave
Thought proper to extend II IN '"e VI
section indicated Indeed the right OF
the committee TO do so might wen oe
challenged. though We fear that any
further tinkering with the plan might re-
suit in disturbing the harmony Oh our
party. But We shall Payise the people
when they go 10 the polls. to vote against
sny charter amendment respecting the
Police and Fire commissioners.
Our boards OF Fire and Police COM
po,ss,oners we're established by the Leg
islature at the urgent request OF the
masses of our people. and with the ois'nc'
purpose Of removing them as far as POSI-
BILE from the political arena. Mind yon'
n was the people who had this cnahge
rode and IL was move In defiance OF
the wish OF many influential politicians.
So determined were our people that
these boards should be freed from the
influence OF political leaders that they
caused the Legislature to provide that
each member of these boards should be
selected BY the City Council upon the re-
commentator Of the Board OF Pubic
Interests. And ever since then the men,
bership OF these boards has been filled
nv men chosen from the business walks
II life-chosen first by the Board OF Pub
lie Interests. and approved by the two
branches OF the City Council sitting IN
Joint session.
What Is more. never In all the history
Of Rchmonds government have there
been two Of hertiepartments better admin
istered than our Fire and Police depart
ments since they were placed under the
control Of commissioners. They have
been honestly and prudently conducted;
they have been made to do credit to the
city, and our tax payers have been saved
q large sum Of money through the bust
ness-like methods Of the boards.
Then why should any change be de-
manded? Is It not we'll known that such
men as have hitherto accepted service on
these boards at the hands Of the City
Council will not consent TO offer as can
didates, and place themselves under the
necessity OF canvassing their wards for
votes? See how difficult II is to get suit
able men to run for the City Council.
Year BY year this difficulty increases.
and the city Is sufferer by It. and yet
Il IL now seriously proposed that We shall
break up our two boards. dismiss the
commissioners whilst they are doing
splendid service. and send 10 the Legisla-
ture a petition asking that 1t will so
amend our charter as to make these
commissioners elective hereafter by the
people instead Of by the Board OF Pub
lie Interests and the City Council jointly.
Don't say that 1.-The Dispatch Is afraid
to trust the people" Not so. On the con-
trary We trust that on the day Of the
primary our people wilt so to the polls
and say with the greatest possible en-
phasls that these two boards have done
their duty well. that their services are
appreciated. and that It Is the wish Of
the great majority Of the Democrats OF
Richmond to leave the city charter just
~ Il IL with respect to these officers.
BY the changes last made In the pri-
mary election plan. the questions to be
submitted at the primary are redoubled
In importance. and II behooves our busi-
ness-men and worklngmen. and all others
concerned for the welfare Of Richmond,
10 arouse themselves TO the consequences
81 iil-advised action on the charter
amendments. The results Of the pri-
mary viii 20 to the Legislature In the
nature Of petition. wherein II Is ex-
pressed that 80 many Democrats wish
. change az TO this office and so many
are opposed to any change. etc. The
separate vote Il all right. II will enable
rach tub TO stand upon Its own bottom,
10 II were: but our good people will be
very culpabie indeed II they do not go
to the polls and vote wisely and dis
creetly on each proposition submitted.
Quite possibly some Of the officers now
elected by the City Council might be just
~ well elected by the people: but we In
sist that the Fire and Police boards arc
not Of the number. And We further In
sist that II was upon the demand OF the
people. not OF the politicians. that the
election Of these commissioners was put
where Il now u. and we challenge any
proof that these boards have, In any wise.
disappointed the expectations Of the
peopls,