The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-17

Mr. John T. Epps Makesa forcible Speech
in Opposition to Commissions.

Mr. John H. Epps defended Richmond $
present sytem OF city government IN a
/ forceful speech. arguing In an able ana
| comprehensive manner against the es-
| tablishment of more commissions
After an eloquent reference 10 the
deep interest ne felt IN the city's wei
fare, he said.
do not hesitate Tor one moment TO
say that / am opposed TO the establish
ment OF more commissions IN the city
government. and would unhesitatingy
abolish those now IN existence, and re-
turn 40 the people the power that has
already been taken from them.
Commissions simply mean the centraii-
1ation OF political power I'm the hands
of few, ana nullines the teachings or
Democracy.
The people, IN my opinion are fully
competent 10 govern themselves, and II
is a dangerous thing not to permit them
to do so.
Mr Chairman. while defending the
action of the city Council in adopting
"A resolution asking the Legislature or
Virginia to so amend the charter OF the
city of Richmond as to abolish the pres
ent system OF having vacancies on the
Boards of Police and Fire Commission
ers hiied by the city Council, by the
selection Of one of three citizens nomN
mated by the Board OF Public Interests,
do not wish TO be understood as oppOs-
ing the original purposes for which the
Board OF Public Interests was created.
The meritorOus purposes OF this board
was TO take into consideration all works
OF internal Improvement, IN existence, or
which may be projected from time TO
time. 10 look after the commercial, in
dustrial, and manufacturing interests or
81 a IA 20 ~
its connections. means OF transportation,
and communications with the rest or the
country. and to make sucr reports and
recommendations 10 the CITY Council as
will I'm their opinion, best subserve the
different interests or the city OF Rich
mond.
The faithful discharge OF these duties
would proven OF great benefit to our city,
and would meet with/ the hearty an
proval OF all puDlic-spirlted citizens But.
Mr. Chairman, / claim. ana l believe
that the records or the Board OF pubic
Interests Will prove. that since the adop-
tion OF the amendments 10 the charter
creating the Boards or rolice ana h1re
Commissioners, the usefulness OF Che
board has been greatly diminished. If
not entirely destroyed, by the extra pow
ers given this body. II has degeneratcd
into a political ring, which virtually con-
trolls the two Boards Of Commissioners.
1t not only nominates candidates but be
heve | can clearly demonstrate by indispu-
table facts that II actually elects the
members of these boards. The action OF
the City Council in regard to these nomf-
nations is nothing more than a c0nfirma-
ton OF what had already been decided by
the Board OF Public interests.
IL is needless. Mr.. Chairman, for me 10
so on enumeraung instances TO prove
the fallacy of the argument that the
Board of Public Interests protects the
interests Of the citizens by having the
power To nominate candidates to nli
vacancies on the Boards of Fire and
Police Commissioners. The facts / have
presented are enough To convince any
intelligent citizen that the action of the
city Council was correct You can very
readily see how much easier Il YOU'D be
for board composed OF five Councilmen
and five citizens. 10 perpetuate and foster
a corrupt department. than body OF
forty-eght men, elected directly by tho
people. thirty-nine OF whom are elected
every TWO years. In behalf OF the
UCptiuCed on Sixth pagel