Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-17
FOR TIE CITY'S GOOD.
morn SIDES WELL PRESENTED.
Mr.. Newton aud judge thris'i""
sneak In the Affirmative and 'o"n-
Gilman EIps Against THIS for" Oh
Mun,.lnnI Government.
Municipal government.

Munfsfpnt eoN'i""'"'
,vrfother OF the series Of discussions on
public questions. inaugurated some
months ago by the Chamber of Com
mercc, was held last night in the as
setnblv-room Of the Chambers building
when the question. shall the municipal
departments OF Richmond be governed
by commisslons?" was ably argued by
MIR. Virginus Newton and Judge George
/. Christian in the affirmative. and Mr..
John T. Epps in the negative. o.
The large hall was crowded 40 over
flowing with members of the Chamber.
members Of the Legislature, members of
the. Council. and city officials, and the
closest attention was paid to the utter
ances Of the speakers.
The discussion lasted over two hours.
and was most thorough and exhaustive
IN It's nature. Upon its conclusion de-
lightfui supper was served in the secfe-
tarys Office and in the hall surrounding
it,
Mr.. s. II. Halves. first vice-presldent
OF the Chamber raped The assemblage
TO order promptly at $50 o'clock and in
troduced Mr.. Jackson Guy who, as
chairman OF the Committee Of Arrange
mcnts made an address Of welcome. in
which he outlined the subject 10 be dis
cussed
Mr.. Ncwfon's Opening Speech.
As soon as he took his seat. Mr.. New
ton was introduced and opened the dis
cusson.
Mr. Newton, after referring briefly 10
the mission II the Chamber and the
nH O. 90 = d.
distinction who visit our shores, states
men. students, men OF letters. bearing
a liberal, Kind though experienced
Judgment. give fun need of praise TO
our national and State systems but find
the government Of our cities O. be our
one great ana conspicuous ialnfe. The
most just the most weishty critic OF
them ali. tells us that the deficiencies OF
the National Government make but Little
FOR EVIL ln the welfare Of the people;
the faults of the state governments are
insignificant. compared g. Tie oNirava-
gance. corruption and mismanage ment
which marked The administration %! most
OF the great cities. They are
gross as open-palpaole.
lat alton excesds 5000 in Which Tie
poison germs have not sprung into
a vigorous life; in some of The smaller
ones, down TO 1000. ID needs no micro
scope To note the results OF their growth:
and even in cities OF the third rank SINH
lar phenomena may be discerntt though
there the jet back OF New York ana
san Francisco dies away INTO an in
significant gray.
GIVEN TOO MUCH POWER.
Mr.. Newton. without further introduce
ton, plunged ntO the question az issue
He FIST introduced the primal prlntplcs
Of municipal government ana cOhllhuli-'
said "Ihe charter OF our CITY, ignoring
these principles, has clothed our Councils,
not only win the lesis4atlNc. nut W4ln
executive and administrative functions OF
a varied and important nature. which are
exercised through The lanls ~ lh1 seNt-
raj committees Of Council, and hence the
evils from winch We have suhered-'tne
fruits OF mans disobedlence
THAT We have secured even passable
results Is from no merit III int inatru-
ment but AN eloquent tribute 10 the
hOmogeneity OF our people, as WEI as Inc
average integrity and cOnVersatism Of our
councils. This hybrid OF pOWtIs-of bale
fui portent-is indcienslble i'll pripciple,
experience. and efficiency.
Mr. Newton spoke OF the government
of Boston and other cities now contrO led
by c0mmiss ons. and showed the system
10 have worked well wherever tried.
THE OBJECT or COMMISSIONS.
These are the convictions that move us
this day, ana this is the purpose OF this
meeting. We are seeking by means OF
commissions, or boards. TO reauJust
misplaced executive power Wnlcn Is in
the hands Of our city legIslature--t0 re-
store the lost equilibrium ln our city soF-
II
spOnsibihty Tor misgOFeInment ana ln-
efficiency IN city affairs.
Our Board OF Public Interests telecttN
by the cOunclls), membership IN which
precludes the holding. acceptance, or can
Nass of any other Office, mas by nomina-
lions 70 (and further election by the
C0unclls) given US Fire Commission ana
a Police Commission. We urge their con-
tnuance and their necessity on the IOl-
T. They are i'm line with precedent and
exp. rlence in municipal government.
= they withdraw from the sl-latiVe
body an executive function which is mis-
placed. ana can but be misused.
Their responsibility ~ more nNed ana
defined under the management Of the
committee of the Council.
I. Their tenure Of office Is longer. which
secures more experience ana greater eff
cheney.
IS the bane Of all departments Is certain
- reduced, IL not eliminated, in their COM
.Os.tOn.
6. Their economy and efficiency is well
altested.
." THE CITY HAS SPOKEN.
Mr.. Newton discussed the imprtve-
ments made ln the Fire ana Police depart
. mems since they mad neen under the
manaaement of commissions. and eontinu-
Ing said: t.,---..-.-.-..--. ---
the polls, was iarsely IN favor Of then
Continuance. In view of this command
TN view Of the wisdom and experience
which sustains them. m view OF the late
scaRdalOus disclosures in our midst, en-
failing heavy losses 20 our taxpayers,
impeach.ng the Integrity Of our depart
Taents. and dcmOnss ating the weakness,
iTresqOnsibility. and ineffciency of man.
agement by committees Of Council, we
are not only sustained In ella ming the
necessity OF their continuance. but we are.
fully justified in demanding that every
city department be put in commission. OF
under some board free Of the election and
control of the councils"
The speaker. after quoting Mr.. Web
ster's declaration that the peoples gov
eminent was made for the people by the
people. and was answerable to the people,
elaborated AT considerable length on the
idea. and gave the following as conclu-