Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-13
SATURDAY. JULY 10. 1895.
The Fiscal Affairs of Richmond.

The Fiscal Affairs of Richmond.
If we are not mistaken. the special
committee Of the Chamber of Commerce
when arranging for public meetings some
months ago had under consideration the
advisability Of discussing the advantages
of commissions in connection with city
governments.
1t would seem that now is the time
TO take the subject up. Never before in
the history OF Richmond was public at
tention more closely fixed than now upon
the city's fiscal affairs. There have been
three defalcations, entailing much loss
upon our Treasury. without causing us
TO adopt measures to prevent their re-
currencc In the future. We have bought
experience at a dear figure; but have
made very little use of II. Are we never
10 take warning; never to cut at the root
of the evil from which we suffer?
This is a matter OF interest to the
Whole community, and we should like
20 see a meeting held to discuss the sub
ject. True, legislation, so far as 1t Is
needed from the General Assembly, can
not be obtained until December; but, I'M
less we begin the movement now. recent
occurrences may pass out of memory by
December.
The duty Of the present hour is TO find
cut what legislation Is desirable, and
prepare to ask for It in December. Now,
whilst the subject has great hold upon
The public mind-now, whilst the iron Is
hot'-is the time TO act. And we know
Of no better way 60 make beginning
than for the Chamber of Commerce TO
call a public meeting-a meeting not
merely Of its members. but Of citizens
generaliy-to formulate a plan for SEE
curing the changes In our municipal ma
chinery that seem to be needed.
In the Judgment OF the Dispatch.
board Of finance is what is wanted;
board whose members shall be paid for
their services and required to look after
our fiscal affairs. Such board. by CIV
ing close attention to matters OF revenue,
could easily bring into the City Treasury
enough additional money to pay its cost.
Such a board could make stringent exami-
nations OF the affairs of each depart
ment OF our city government. At pres
ent this work is not well done. II de-
wolves upon Council committees. some Of
whom do II so rarely that they feel as II
they ought to apologize to the heads Of
departments when they ask to see their
books and accounts.
The Dispatch has ever been ready to
Give due credit to our Council committees
fer the work done by them. While we
attentive to their official duties. the ma
FORTY are conscientious, prompt, and
faithful in the city's service. But 1t Is
simply impossible for them to give to
their work the time and attention that
are necessary SO much OF II remains
undone. Settlements are irregularly
made-sometimes officers who handle large
sums of money are not called upon for
complete settlements for years. In two
Of the great defalcations here this was
the case. In neither of these instances
would the city have lost much II settle
uents had been demanded month by
month.
that the committees will be able 10 give
more time to their work in the future than
in the past Indeed, the outlook Is
that as the business of the city grows
Me work will be attended to worse and
worse.
Our present municipal machinery did
we'll enough q quarter Of a century ago.
but II is inadequate to our present needs.
II will not do to attempt to tide over our
troubles by giving an additional clerk
here and another there. The public
viii be content with no halfway mea-
pures. The people want an authority to
whom to look-an authority powerful
enough to supervise every office In this
Aty
Nothing better than board Of finance
has yet been suggested Other cities
have profited by such boards. and we
again ask. Why should not Richmond?
Such a board would be great help to
he City Council, and could not be OBJ
lected 10 by any officer who IL conscious
that ne is doing his duty and keeping his
accounts straight.
The Chamber OF Commerce committee
Of which Mr.. L. u. Morris Is chairman.
having already given some thought to
the subject Of commissions. could earn
new laurels by arranging public meet
ing. at which the question OF a finance
board might be discussed. Such a meet
ing would voice the wish of the COM
munity. and would doubtless refer the
subject to committee for further exami-
nation and report. And We should doubt
less find that by the time the report was
prepared and adopted the day for the
meeting OF the General Assembly was
near at hand. So. even though o start
should be made now, there would be very
little spare time.