Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-26
BOTH SIDES HEARD.
Argument Before The House Committee
on the Charter Amendments.
WHY THE BILLS WE'RE PREPARED
Mr. EliysoB Explains the Motives
That Actuated the Chamber OF
Commerce-Coi. Purcell, Messrs.
Turpin, Dawson, and Others Speak.

The House Committee on Counties,
Cities. and Towns held morning and af-
ternoon sessions yesterday IN order 10
give an audience to those in favor Of and
opposed to the proposed changes In the
citys charter as set forth in the bills
submitted TO the Legislature by the
Chamber Of Commerce
The committee held an executive ses-
sion In the afternoon, after all the argu-
ments had been made. but decided TO
postpone action upon the bill until to-day,
when the body Will meet Immediately az
ter the adjournment Of the House.
MIR. ELLYsoNs SPEECH.
Hon. J. Taylor Eryson was the first
speaker when Chairman Digs called the
meeting to order in the morning.
II am here" he said. "as chairman Of
committee OF the Chamber OF Com
merce. 10 represent their wishes In regard
to the proposed amendments to the city
charter. desire 20 say In the outset
that before submitting our report 10 the
Board OF Directors of the Chamber Of
Commerce we had the unanimous APP
prevail OF our representatives In the Cen
eral Assembly. who assured us that they
would support these measures Colonel
Harwood, however, subsequently inform
ed us that he could not support these
measures unless they were first submit
ted to a Democratic primary, but that
he would not oppose them either before
the committee or on the floor OF the
House The Chamber OF Commerce has
far urix a
stated times meetings for the discussion
OF questions Of interest 10 the general
welfare OF the city. and on the 18th OF
| December the question OF the manage
ment OF certain departments OF the city
| by commissions was considered. and
prominent citizens representing both sides
OF the question fully discussed the sub
ject. The Board Of Directors subsequent
~ appointed a committee instructed 20
make such recommendations as they
| thought desirable for the enlargement Of
the number OF commissions. This commit
| tee, after very careful consideration. pre-
scented 20 the Chamber the amendments
which you have before you to-day.
PURPOSE OF THE CHAMBER.
In the many meetings Of the commit
tee, and In the subsequent meetings OF
the Board Of Directors and Of the
Chamber itself, / have never heard any
but the kinCest illusions to the Council
and TO It's committees. The one aim
and purpose Of the Chamber was to Sc
cure the best possible plan for the man
aaement OF our city affairs, and AT every
consideration Of the question there was
total absence Of any personalities. The
discussion were buslness-like efforts to ar
rive at the conclusion that would be
most prOmotiye Of the best interests Of the
Taxpayers OF the city. and, IN making
/ these recommendations OF charter
changes. they have done 80 with the sin
| gle desire 20 do that which would result
| In good 10 the whole community The
opponents OF these measures have main
tained that commissions were undemO-
cratic. and that their tendency was 20
put power in the hands OF few. and
that the submission o, these questions 10
a popular vote would cause disastrous
/ political results 20 the Democratic party
/ in this city. desire 20 say. In reply 70
! these criticisms. that the demand for
commissions at this time Is no innova-
ton. II Is simply adding 10 those al
/ ready In existence. whose excellent man
/ agement OF the departments entrusted 10
/ them has really suggested the creation
| Of commissions for other departments %
/ the city government. The further objec-
| ton 10 considering this question now has
! been that at the Democratic primary,
/ held on the Sth OF last October, IL was de-
/ cided that there should be no charter
| changes. In reply 20 that ! beg leave 20
/ say that that was not the issue in that
/ election. The question 10 be considered
/ then was whether the amendments 70 the
/ city charter should be made so as 10
cause the election OF members OF the Po-
| lice Commission. members OF the Fire
/ Commission. the Chief Of Police. and
/ other city officers. by the people. most OF
whom are now elected by the City Council.
/ The vote was overwhelmingly against
/ changing the charter IN those respects,
but II that vote had any significance
/ at all concerning commissions. II was
/ that our people were so well pleased
| with our present commissions that they
were not willing that thsy should be dis
| turbed IN any way. II has been also OBJ
| jectei that the number OF commissioners
In the bills before you was too small. We
| believe that three men could more sue
/ cessfully discharge the duties OF these
/ commissions than a larger number. The
| responsibility would be greater. and IL
/ IS more likely that they would better
meet that responsibility than IL II was
/ divided among a larger number. But the
| committee I represent would have no
/ objection whatever 20 increasing the num-
| Der TO I'VE II the opponents OF the hin
I
| better than the number We have indi-
| Gated. II has also been stated that the
submission Of these charter changes 20
/ a popular vote would tend 10 divide and
/ destroy the Democratic party In this city.
/ ! yield 10 no man In my interest IN the
\ Democratic party IN the city and State.
/ / have certainly proved my devotion 20
/ the party by giving literally OF my
means and o. my time TO promote It's
/ highest interests. I would certainly DO
nothing 10 injure the party OF whtSh
4 am the chief. and 7. therefore. would not
/ oppose the suggestion made by some Of
those opposing these bills, that they be
| FIST submitted 10 a Democratic primary
10 precede the general election. and j
am sure | can speak for those whom |
| represent when ] say that they would
have not the slightest objection 10 sub
hitting the matter first 10 the Demo
cratic voters Of the city. feeling assured
that their conclusion would be for the
best interests Of the whole people.
THE QUESTION AT ISSUE.
But these matters Mr.. Chairman, are
/ mere matters Of detail which can be
| eF silly arranged. The real question after
/ all is whether the city finances and the
Department Of Light can be better con-
iTolled and managed hy a commiss on
| Eauer th1h Oy committee OF tne toun-
| ell know from personal experience
! and long service In the Council how
/ artcous are the duties Of the members
/ % It's committees. and IN this day those
dIt.es have multiplied. 50 that they have
become so burdensome that member
| OF the Council who seeks 20 do his fun
l duty nnts II almost impossible TO give
attention 20 his own private affairs.
4 vii mort cheerfully admit that we have
! had. almost without exception, as our
/ COMMITTEES on Finance. men 81 ability.
and possessing loyal interest In the
welfare Of the city; but these gentlemen
usually represent other departments OF
the city government Sometime they are