Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15
THE INVESTIGATION FEVER.

=, was not politician, but business
-, cwho was a member Of the Couh-
ril for short time)' VINO s'al'eu 'HN
Investigation of the affairs OF the ga
xorks. Up to that date the maJori'y Vi
nur people were Of the opinion ina.
VIZ business of that department had
.oon honestly. If not economically, con-
huctsd. 49,
pouoUinr upon the disclosures at the
xas-works came a general demand lor 'i9
investigation of all our city departments,
hut particular attention has oeeh pa'u
% the two boards Of commissioners. There
ore scores Of people interested in show
Ing that government by commissions Is
no better than government by commit
,ees gut so far it has not been de-
monstrated that the city has been roppeu
of one dollar under the commission sys-
TEN.
40 IN the Fire Board, II Is alleged that
some OF its depositing and checking that
should have been done through the
CITY Treasury has been done through
hank. but. even here there are those
who hold that the law is on the poaru
side. It is not asserted that there has
been any steaIage; but IT. Is shown that
some expenditures made YeFe not )usti-
Aed nv law. In the same way, but IN
no other. has the Police Board offended;
but the grand total in the two cases
will not. we learn, exceed 500. Further
more. these boards had presidents oil
Council committees for the expenditures
that they made. and which have been
brought into question.
soon the City School Board is to be
investigated, aid then the James RIVER
Improvement Committee, also. Nelther
of these is a commission In the popular
acceptance of the term; but 1t is all
right TO investigate them, particularly
if the departments controlled by Couh-
ell committees are TO be subjected 10
like scrutiny, as we have no doubt fhey
will be. But, as we have said before
II is much easier to get at the facts IN
the case of commission than In the
ease of a Council committee, because
zach commission is hedged in and watch
nd by very many jealous eyes. How
mission-system have every reason to be
.atisHed with the exhibit made. The
Police Board and the Fire Board can well
stand comparison with the gas-works
and the almshouse.
AS 10 the aimshouse, no case of dishon-
,sty has been shown; but there has been
Ieplorable want of system and lack
nj proper bookkeeping. As TO the gas
works. we need say nothing; the re-
mort of the investigating committee is
fresh in the minds Of all. No such rot
senness as obtained there could have
ybtained under the system and manage
ment of either the Police Board or the
Fire Board. Further comment would,
perhaps. be out of place lust now.
That our municipal finances have not
been economically managed admits OF
no doubt Whether You favor or dis
favor commissions: whether you favor
or disfavor charter amendments. you
cannot but see that some departments
of our city government need overhaul
ing. No wonder that our expenses last
wear exceeded our income by $lS5,0OO; no
amounts to $4,000: no wonder that for
years and years past Richmond has been
selling her bonds TO meet regularly re-
CURING deficits.
What Is needed Is a Encouragement Of
our affairs. so that we may live within
our income. TO this end, we say. let
the Investigations continue. Wherever
LAT ha
Wherever there is waste let it be stop
ned. II II be any consolation 70 the City
Council TO show that commissions are no
more TO be trusted than committees.
let the Council show IT; IL 1t be the
fact. But observe that. during all these
years the City Council has had all OF
the authority that II now has for investi-
eating the affairs OF the commissions.
: vet has neglected that duty. However
we are not so anxious 10 rake up
the past as we are 10 learn where
she city stands now. and how the obvious
defects in our system are TO be reme-
died
II we cannot better ourselves by in
creaslng the number OF commissions.
how can we better ourselves? Our busi-
ness-men recommend charter amend
= ments; what better suggestion does the
y City Council make. OF does It think that
A our people win be content 10 let things
20 on In the future as Ii tie past?
II 30. the city coigeIl greatly errs
Changes must be mads-schanges for the
better. dsa
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