The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-15

The attention which was given TO the
Epps resolution at the meeting Of the
Thurman Club on Tuesday night. makes
IL proper that subject SHOULD be taken
under serious consideration by the pco-
pie of Richmond in order that our MEM
bers OF the Legislature. soon TO be elect
ed may get correct views CT the pre-
yailing opinion OF their constituents re-
gafNing the subject.
The Epps resolution provides that ali
city officers receiving salary Of N.50l
shall be elected by the people. Now, we
insist that this test Of whether the OF
ncer shall lie elected by the people OF
by the Council is as erroneous and as
Lndemocratic as II is possible for any
thing TO be. This makes Democracy con-
Germ itself with salaries only. and sUg-
gests. therefore. tn lat the whole scheme IS
nothing more than a plan for dividing
swag Democracy does not concern ltsel
with any plans for dividing plumber. Ne
m0cracy concerns itself with popular
rights. IL is If no concern to Democracy
whether an officer receives "a salary OF
tl9 a year or of $500 a year. II he
officer is one which the nature of popu-
by direct vote Of the people then he
should be so elected, though his salary Is
only SO year If the officer is one
which the nature Of popular government
requires should be elected by the Coun-
ell. then he should be elected by the
Council. though his salary is $1,000
year The test provided boy the Epps res
olution is one that Democracy cannot ac-
cept or even listen 10. What officers
shall be elected by the people and what
shall not be. must he determined by refer
ence 10 some other and entirely different
test.
The Times believes in the principle OF
popular elections The Times believes
that the people should elect most OF their
officers. but il believes that there are
rome officers whose qualifications can oe
much better Judged Of by The Council
than by the people in general election.
The Times does not believe. for instance.
that the City Engineer should be chosen
at a popular election. Scientific attain
mcnts IN his profession are absolutely IN
dispensable IN good city engineer. and
the scientific attachments of COL. Cutshaw
have been worth untold sums to the city
o. Richmond. But how can The people
Judge in canvass for the office OF City
Engineer between the scientific attain
ments OF candidates They are as liable
10 be imposed on 10y pretentious quacH
as 10 select a skilled man capable OF
dealing with the difficult mathematical
problems that must confront him every
day.
The same may be said OF the Superin-
tendent Of Water A man with scientific
knowledge is absolutely necessary Tor
that place bat how can the people judge
Of the qualifications OF candidates m
canvass preceding a general election?
Whilst therefore, the general principle
that the people shall elect their own Of
hcers is the healthy and Democratic
che there are undoubtedly some officers
that should not be chosen IN general
elections. ana the salary paid TO the Cf-
ncer cannot Tor a moment poe accepted
as the test wire thcr he is ono 10 Doe elect
cd by the people or by the Council. The
test must be found elsewhere.
IL Is perfectly clear 20 as that some
officers now eL~rted by The Council should
DO elected by the people. We think for
instance. that the Police Justice and the
City Attorney and perhaps some others
rhouid be elected by the people, bat We
are j, 81 as clear that the city Engineer.
tho Superintendent OF Water the super
fntendent OF Gas. and perhaps others,
should not be.
The subject is one which should be con-
sidcred upon entirely different Tires from
those laid down In the EppS scsoiu-
ton. Certain Offices should be picked
out and the charter should be amended
so as 10 cause the incLmbents OF these TO
be elected by the people. while me III
cumbents OF certain other Offices should
be elected By the Council
UTTER IGNORANCE.
WHEN we meet with q newspaper as