Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-12
r,,r pryoCRATIC LEAGUE.

c,,r businessmen who have become III
1900 a. ,pnnicipal affairs have started
ont with a good purpose. good hai''e'
and a good platform. ..
THE organization they have formed 70
..,,ea the Democratic League for uoou
government, and it will work Strictly
within our party lines. All white DelnO-
cratic voters are eligible to us mehioei-
sbtp. and the doors of the League "ie
therefore open to all Democrats VINO arc
a. ~,,,,nathv with the movement that IL
represents. ~,
as for the LeaguesSplatform OF prin-
cinIes. II is as follows:
.rt. object shall be to secure an eco
~a,,,cal administration of the citys az
<aIrs. to interest and stimulate ule
.-e.ria IN their duties of citizenship; 10
piarr a larger number Of representative
wen to the legislative brancn OF tne
CITY government; TO secure the repeai
~ such laws or ordinances as are nurt-
ful to the interests OF TINS coiiiihuiii1s'
80 secure the passage OF such laws,
es,ber state or municipal, as viii best
,,rornote the prosperity and happiness
- the people at large; to reduce TAXA
sion which will secure FAIR Vaiue 10
seal estate. and which will invite idie
,,,one, 10 build up our borders; to de-
wise the best methods whereby tne
commercial and manufacturing interests
of the city may be increaseu, anu
do such other things as may appear
from time to time to be wise ana W mo
greatest advantage Oh tne sIealeS' ''e-
Der Of our people"
That this organization Is the outsro"'n
of the refusal Of the majority OF inc
Richmond delegation to advocate the SUD-
mission of the charter amendments 10
the voters OF this city must be admit
Ted: but It will have a much broader
seope than suggesting charter amend
,,,enta The movement for charter amend
roents was supported by the Chamber OF
commerce. the Grain and Cotton Ex-
change. and the Tobacco Trade, the three
organizations representing between seven
and eight hundred business houses
whereas the Democratic League VIII nave
a much more numerous membership, and
will be representative OF all OF the en-
n,ovments of life. 1t will be formed OF
democrats Of all classes, and 1t will as
n,rs to serve the public by enlightening
them as TO the management OF city al
fairs. and II possible by securing iegis-
latiye and administrative reforms.
The interest that our businessmen are
taking IN city affairs has already been
productive OF good results. Every de-
nartment Of the city government Is now
being investigated. During all the Ire
NJ the Police and Fire commissions the
<.,tv Council has had as much right and
ia
these two boards as 1t has now, out II
has never done so. Years ana years
rassed. and the City Council and us ori-
GERS did little or nothing Of this sort; but
+hev are all very active now! A hundred
arrus-eyed persons are searching Tor
weaknesses In the armor OF these TWO
boards. The X ray Of investigation has
heeu turned on both. This is right and
rroper-but It is a little late! However,
we believe that no great harm has been
done True. It is claimed that the FIRE
Board shouId have done all Of its bank
enc ana checking through the City Audi
for s.s city treasury; but we do not be-
1lcye that II Is asserted by any one that
ana city has been robbed OF a single dol
lar OF the money that passed through the
hands of the Fire Commission.
The same, we believe, is true as to the
rsd,scoveries" In the Police Department.
That the fines imposed upon policemen
were spent In improving station-houses'
etc. instead OF being turned into the city
<reasury and drawn out by warrant. was
well known 10 the City Council, but was
never commented upon until the compare
tive merits OF commissions and Council
committees were discussed.
We all see now clearly enough that II
she public wants its servants closely
watched It ought 70 make commission
srs OF them. 1t Is everybody's business to
watch a commission: but 1t Is nobody's
business 10 watch q Council committee.
And by the way, denounced as the Cham
her OF Commerce has been as the enemy
Of pcuular government In Richmond. 1t
a q fact, we believe. that In the bills
they prepared they proposed to require
the new commissions to report to the
City Council 10 way not required OF
the present commissions
We return to the Democratic League TO
say that its name Is good. wholesome
one. and cannot be Objected to by any
simon-pure Democrat. Its purpose Is 10
cid in good government. and this must
recommend itself tc all fair-minded citi-
gems whether they are taxpayers or not
For many years past the city OF Rich
n,ord has been selling bonds to meet de-
dcjfs In Its current expenses. while little
or no serious effort has been made TO
IS =. $500 Az. <.x.x< 1{vs rxtfhfr f{a irroxno