Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-28

The charter amendments, OF COURSE
should not be Imposed upon the city *
cept subject to ratification by the people:
and as far ~ ascertainin9 the wishes OF
the Democratic party 10 concerned. tnnt
may be accomplished by n. primary,
main proposition II to give the people :
chance to decide for themselves whetner
they want the amendments or not
Now, where II the man who will slime
their voicey-The Richmond TimeA
The case In a nutshell Ii admirably
stated by the Times in the foregoing
paragraphs. II believes that commissions
are capable Of rendering great service to
Richmond, but It would have the people
decide this question for themselves.
II is astounding to US that any member
of the Legislature. especially any Rich
mond member, should take the position
that the pending charter amendments
should not be submitted to a vote Of the
people. II ours Is popular government
how can we deny to the people the right
they demand Of voting upon Charter
changes? II our people have honesty and
intelligence enough to vote for President
Governor. and members OF the Legis'a-
ture, surely they have honesty and IN
telIigence enough to say. This amend
ment / favor; that amendment dis-
approve: or II am for or am against
all OF these amendments"
The members who vote against denying
TO the citizens of Richmond the privi-
lege OF voting upon these amendments
will make record against themselves
that will be long remembered. They can
no longer say to the dear people I'VE
love and trust you; no. it will not be
In order for them to make any such as
sertion, when the record can be drawn
upon them at moments notice. and will
show that they voted or labored or ma
noeuvred against allowing our voters TO
say whether they want or do not want
to make certain changes in their munich
pal system.
The amendments should be submitted
to the people, as we'll in the interest of
those who approve them as in the inter-
est Of those who disapprove them. II the
affirmative vote carries the day, the char
ter must be changed; If the negative vote
carries the day the advocates of the
changes will be sienced.- and mus
acqulesce In good faith and temper.
Remember that there are two sets OF
amendments. One comes from the CITY
Council: the other from the Chamber OF
Commerce, seconded by the Tobacco
Trade and the Grain and Cotton Elk
change. We say. submit to the people
the whole lot II the City Councils pro-
position is approved by the people, let
the Board of Public Interests be abolish
ed. If the Chambers amendments are
approved We shall have a light COM
believe we speak for the mass of our
people-for those who would vote for
and for those who would vote against"
the amendments-when we ask that the
citizens of Richmond be permitted to go
TO the polls and express their opinion as
to all Of the pending amendments.
Gentlemen will find 1t in vain TO ex-
plain to their constituents that they speak
for the people when they are trying TO
stifle the voice of the people AS the
Times says, 1.-THE main proposition Is to
give the people chance TO decide for
themselves whether they want the amend
ments or not. Now, where is the man
who will stifle the voice OF the DeoDle?'
Let this question be repeated from
mouth to mouth; let every man ask his
stife the voice Of the people?'