Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-09
THE TWO DEPARTMENTS.

THE TWO DEPARTMENTS
II as we suppose. the City Council is
going 20 have the report on the condi-
ton OF the books, papers, and accounts
of the Board of Commissioners OF the
Fire Department printed in pamphlet
form. we trust that 1t will have put un-
der the same cover the report of the
Special Investigating Committee as TO
the condition of the accounts and pro-
perty of the gas-works.
Yes: put the two papers side by side.
Let them 60 out together. One VIII eH-
hibit the fruits OF Council committees
MANAGEMENT; the other will exhibit the
fruits of a commissions management.
Ono will show a clear loss by stealage
of $4,000. and the other no such loss.
We say, too. let the investigation 30
on. Let the whole truth be told Let the
people n, Richmond know how their
money mas been spent. Really. the more
we investigate. the clearer it appears
that the City Council has not been doing
its duty. How is IT that all of the de-
falcations and irregularities that we
are now hearing of have not been made
public before? Why. If Mr.. Adams had
not died. probably, we should still have
been In ignorance Of the rottenness pre-
vailing at the gas-works! Indeed, we
nre not so sure but that for the inquiries
Of Mr.. Branch there would have been
no disclosures, even after Mr. Adams's
death.
Complaint is made that the Board OF
Fire Commissioners allowed certain of
their officers TO attend certain con-
yentions. etc, and paid their eX-
pensos. These "oficial trips" have
been very much in vogue for many
wears. The City Council has allowed the
heads of departments. and sometimes its
committeeman. TO make these excursions.
and has paid their expenses out OF the
public Treasury. Nine times out of ten
these trips are unnecessary, and would
not be allowed by private corporations.
But the City Council and the Council
committees have over and over again
allowed them. What wonder. then. that
the Board of Commissioners of the Fire
Department followed in the track of the
CITY Council, and out Of money in its
hands allowed its Chief Engineer and
it's Superintendent Of the Fire-Alarm and
Police Telegraph to attend certain con-
ventions, etc.
AS a matter OF fact, we cannot but
believe that the city would get along
quite as well in the future as 1t has been
getting along in the past, II 1t cut Off
entirely the expense Of sending heads OF
departments or committeeman to national
conventions. etc IL is doubtless a fact
that the officers thus sent bring back
valuable information now and then, but
the system is liable to abuse, and is not
suggestive OF an economical administra7
ton of city affairs.
The "shaking-up' the city departments
are now receiving Is bound to prove OF
advantage TO public interests. Already
we see that much OF our money is use
lessly spent. Already we see that. while
the Council committee system is we'll
nigh a failure. in guarding and protect
ing the city's interests. our commission
system might be improved upon in some
respects. What we want now Is q good
CITY Council: men who will put into ope-
yation sensible business methods: men
who will stand up for the city's rights,
ana will dare TO make inquiries as to the
expenditure OF all public moneys.
The trouble at the gas-works was that
the majority Of the Committee on
Light took it for granted that all was
right there. and made no very search
ing enquiries. AS for an accounting sys-
TEN. there was none. or next 10 none.
The superintendent seemed TO have been
Independent OF the Committee on Light.
~ nd OF everybody else. one OF the conse-
.luenccs OF this lack Of system Is that we
do not now know TO what extent we can
rely upon the official figures Of the gas
works put forth by the late administra-
ton as 10 the operations OF the works.
What We do know with absolute certain
IS is that the gas is intolerably malo-
dorous. and makes MANY people sick.
and gives a poor light. But. whether
we are making IT cheaper than we could
make coal-Kas Is "a question. Whether,
admitting that il naked gas Is cheaper
than a coal-gas. we have n suitable
plant Though It is new plant. is also
question.
Now that % municipal affairs are
under Investigation. let's took into them
thoroughly. TO do this. we must Sc
lect good men for the City Council; men
z OF Intelligence, frmness, independence,
and industry. This we hope and expect
our people to do, and this is the great
aim and object OF the Democratic League
for Good Government
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The Kee.y motor has bobbed an again.