Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-12
FRIDAY. JULY 10, 1895.
Recent Revelations.


the investigation at the city gas-works
emphasize the need for better system
than any we have for protecting the city's
revenues. Under our mode of manage
ment here, ours is a government admin
,stered chiefly by committees-that Is,
so far as the control Of the vayious de-
partments is concerned. And this would
be a very good mode If all the members OF
the committees were competent account
ants, and could and would give to their
duties all the time that is necessary 10
examine books and papers, supervise
purchases, etc. But, as matter OF fact
the majority Of committeeman are not ac-
countants, and 1t is seldom indeed that
they can give to the minute details OF
their work all the attention that they
require Indeed. so rarely are minute
examinations made, committees feel that
they ought TO apologize to the heads OF
departments when they do have to make
them.
A radical change in our system IS de-
nanded 1t won't do to go on as we have
been going Such exposures as we have
had here in recent years do no credit 10
Richmonds government and they do not
serve to warn evil doors. We ought 10
make a very great change in our methods
and keep the city's finances under better
control than we have been doing. To
accomplish this purpose the Dispatch has
suggested board of finance 10 be help
to the City Council, and to keep watch
upon the receipts and expenditures Of
every department.
We do not care-the public will not
care-how this board is constituted, or by
what name it is called so that it does
Its work effectively. 1t has been sug-
gested that a clerk of accounts could do
such work as seems to be needed, but
we doubt H. More authority to examine
and inquire into the conduct of public
officers would be needed than the City
Council would be willing 10 entrust to a
clerk. But. by amending our charter,
we could have board of finance that
would be useful in devising revenue
schemes and apportioning our income to
various needs. besides looking after ac-
would relieve the Council committees of
some of their work. but would not inter-
fere with the other officials of the city
government.
We should think that the committees
would be only too glad 10 have skilled
help In their work. since it is impossible
for them to do all that is expected of them,
and since 1t Is inevitable when defalca-
lions occur that the public will always
blame them, more or less.
Not now having the assistance that
they need. committeeman should not be
Judged harshly. But II the community
should show disposition to give the COM
mittees ample help and the committees
should reject this prefer, then the COM
mitteemen would invite the most caus-
tic criticism, should defalcations occur
hereafter There have been, in recent
years. two or three defalcations which
have cost Richmond a good deal In money
and in loss OF reputation. but 1t does not
seem that we have profited very much by
our dearly bought experience. And the
reason for this is that we have not made
such radical changes IN our system as we
should have made with the lights before
us. We have temporized and "econo-
won't do. We must reform It altogether
And. while the Dispatch sees in board
OF finance the possibilities of great good
we are by no means sure that something
better cannot be suggested. And, If so
nobody will be more pleased than the
Dispatch.
Richmond has been greatly remiss In
not compelling her officers to make regu'
var settlements of their accounts. One
would have thought that after two oil
three costly reminders of our duty In this
respect we would have established a rig.
prous system OF examination Of Offices
and accounts. but exposure follows upon
Exposure without moving us to make
my material change in our methods. And
when we come 10 present our claims
against the gureties OF defaulting officers
we are met with the plea that the city
has not done Its duty in forcing settle
nents at stated periods. ana that therefore
the bondsmen ought in fairness. II not in
law. to be relieved OF liability, wholly or
partially. Such a plea is never without
force. 1t is one that jury OF business
men is pretty sure to give heed to. We
ought to make 1t impossible for such q
plea TO be entered In the future.
In our judgment the Richmond public
will be greatly vexed and disappointed
II. after the heavy loss just reported as
occurring at the gas works. the City
Council does not establish q financial sys.
tenn which will exercise a wholesome in.
duence upon evil doors.
------------------------