Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-07
r, y..,,,o, Of Our city Council.
PRESS.


We ao not know which one OF the men,
hers of our city delegation VIII De chose"
IN nresent to the Legislature the pe,i''o"
NJ the city Council asking that Its pow
ers he enlarged by giving IT duties no"
performed by the Board OF Pubic inter
csts: but that gentleman VIII nave an ui'-
grateful duty TO perform.
ca far as we know public sentiment
,ore there ia no demand for the extensio"
OF the powers of the city council "
has enough, and more than enough al
ready. The revelations made with re-
snect TO the management OF 'he gas
works demonstrate that the city Councii
has more work than it can attend 10 pro~
rsrlv Much Of il il leaves 10 its COM
mittees: and. unhappily. much OF u is
badly done. Instead Of asking for more
power and patronage our chy 0ouneh
would better request the Legislature 10
lessen IT'S responsibilities This might be
done by putting the gas-works ana some
other departments under commissions
snch as now control the Police ana FIRE
departments.
po,h of these are to some extent re-
moved from political influences. Both
are conducted on business bases BOZ"
are exempt from the changes to which the
Council committees are liable. at least
once in two years Both are giving the
neonle excellent service. But, 10. the
city Council now appears and says SUD
stantially: Take away power from 'the
Board of Public Interests and give 1t 10 us.
We can do the work much better than
the board can do it," Alas, just at the
time that the City COUNCIL begins TO vaunt
itself and depreciate the Board of Public
Interests come disclosures OF how tne
Council has managed the gas-works-dls-
closures which are very astonishing, ana
very mortifNlng to the community, now
ever they may appear to the City Coun-
ell
Az we have said. the time is now near
AT hand when the request of the city
council for a charter amendment VIII De
heard by the Legislature. 1t WILL now
ever. be resisted by many OF our best
citizens. These citizens will ask that
the change urged by the Council be not
granted; that the Board of Public IN
,erests be let alone. and that the gas
works and perhaps other city departments
now managed by Council committees
be put under commissions.
OF course, no legislative action VIII
he taken before the citizens meeting Is
held in the hall OF the Chamber Of Com
merce. Prominent gentlemen have been
invited to attend that meeting, and TO
discuss the pros and cons of the pro-
posed charter-chanee Both sides VIII
he fully heard. Two speakers will argue
In favor of giving the City Council
more power and patronage, while two will
contend that the City Council ought
10 have less power and patronage. And.
bv the way. the members of the legis-
latlve committees which will have charge
% the City Councils charter-change bill
should be invited to be present To be
pr.sent will be 10 give themselves fine
start on the way to understanding the
proposition which is to be considered
Indeed, we should like TO have all of the
members OF the Legislature invited 10
the citizens meeting. 1t would afford
opportunity for the formation Of acquaint-
anceships between the legislators and
our leading businessmen and city off,
Gals. and do good In divers ways.
AS rule. the average Richmond busi-
ncss-man Is too indifferent to matters
affecting our city government. Little he
helps II by his counsel or encouragement
but. hereafter, we may hope for better
things We should not wonder II oul
businessmen and taxpayers generally
after due investigation. appointed com
mittee 10 present their views to the lie.
glslatures especially with reference to the
proposition TO give the City Council more
patronage and power.