Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-01


would DC satisfied. This plan was not
thought practicable. and was not put In
execution.
l have not undertaken to discuss the
merits or dement's OF the commissions.
because ] am not sufficiently familiar
with the working OF them TO undertake
81 express an opinion regarding them.
There were those more competent to do
so on hand TO speak in that connection.
believe the fault II II can be shown
that there Is any fault. in the way the
city government Is run, Is not so much
due to the system as II is to the way
the system is managed. But. suppose.
for the sake Of argument. that our mu-
nicipal government has been maladminis-
tered, and that there has been corrup-
ton In Nigh places. and that some
city official has proved unfaithful to his
duties. This deporable state OF affairs
has been made possible only by the In
difference of those who have not been
willing TO sacrifice their time and their
interests in the patriotic effort to remedy
such evils. Corruption in politics,
whether local, State, or national, Is
due TO the indifference and inexcusable
apathy of those whose characters are
above reproach. If II be true that poll
tics is besmirched with mire and filth.
they can only be cleansed and made pure
and wholesome by the untiring and per-
slstent efforts OF those patriots who are
themselves pure. Citizens cannot decline
TO take part in public affairs. and then
consistently complain that the affairs OF
government, either local or State, are
not properly conducted. However this
may be- / unhesitatingly say. and / be-
lieve my position will stand any
assault from the opposition, that
unfair IlndDm0CTgtlH-
directly contrary TO the spirit
OF our institutions TO attempt to
force upon the people any measure
or set Of measures. however desirable or
commendable they may be, without first
allowing the people to exercise their
rights as citizens by expressing their
opinions either for or against those
measures by their votes at the polls.
Any endeavor TO do this, / care not
what motive may prompt the en-
deavor or how high the source
may be from which Il comes. is a blow
aimed at popular self-government and
ought not TO be tolerated by free people.
/ have contended. and still contend, that
the question should be first submitted to
the people in a Democratic primary, and
after an expression of opinion has been
so taken. their decision should be final.
Had this been done j am persuaded no
opposition would have been raised and
no dissenting voice heard. In the place
OF discord. bitterness. and party strife.
there would have been harmony peace.
and friendship. / believe the chairman
OF the Chamber committee does not diff
fer from me in this position.
One Of the gentlemen who appeared
before the Committee on Cities and
Towns. representing the Chamber Of
Commerce. rather unkindly said that
those who differed from him in opinion
were mostly either ofiice-ho!ders. and
therefore desired no change, or were not.
and never expected to become tax-pay-
ers, and that he thought 30 per cent. OF
the honest men Of Richmond coincided
with the opinion which he expressed.
] think this gentleman was mistaken,
and I believe calm reflection will con-
vince him OF his error. He was GER
tainly not correct in regard TO the
writer i hold no Office. and am can
didate for no political preferment, and
the property-books OF my ward viii show
TO what extent | am entitled TO be
classed among the taxpayers therefore,
the honesty Of my motives, at
least, cannot be questioned along these
lines But suppose those who are OPP
posed 70 charter changes, or those who
desire TO have a vote on them before they
are adopted, are ofiice-holders, and sup
pose that they are not fortunate enough
TO be taxpayers. Does the fact that
they are not Taxpayers justify an effort
being made by those who are 90 circuin-
scribe their inalienable rights as cit-
Zens? And does the fact that man is
an oiice-holder in this city prevent him
from having any honesty OF purpose.
or being actuated by philosophical mo-
tives? Those who are opposed TO these
changes have the same right TO charge
those who favor them with improper
motives az those who favor them have
TO make the same charge against those
who are opposed 10 them. l do not be-
Neye that either are actuated by such
motives. ] am persuaded that both sides
have the interests of the city at heart
and IL il be true that 90 per cent OF the
honest men are in favor OF having the
charter amended, those who favor such
amendments will incur no risk by SUBJ
hitting the question to a Democratic
primary.
In closing. I will say that ] desire 10
enter into no discussion Of this question.
other than 10 define my own position
regarding IT, / was called upon by the
Clay-Ward Actiyes Democratic Club, OF
which / am a member and which has
on its roll the names Of the representative
.nen of my ward, as can be easily de-
monstrated, If the statement is doubted.
TO express my views on the question
under discussion. | was placed on the
committee TO appear before our delegates
and explain my position. When such a
demand IS made upon me / Go not hesi-
tate to respond to ii. My experience ia
politics has not yet taught me the fine
art OF riding both sides OF a rail. or es-
pouslng with equal energy and ingenu-
ity both sides OF political
question. / do not claim. after having
one day expressed what purports to be
my settled convictions, the unusual privi-
lege OF voicng an entirely opposite
opinion the next day. If l find that my
former opinion was not endorsed by
those with whom i desired TO ingratiate
myself. My convictions in regard TO this
matter have not been difficult 10 form,
because, I'm my humble judgment, there
can be but one side 10 the proposition
that no measure which seeks to radically
alter a. city's government. should be
forced upon a free people who have
proven themselves to be both intelligent
and patriotic. without first giving them
an opportunity 10 express themselves,
either for or against 1t by their votes
The only question which admits Of
discussion Ia. whether a vote should have
been or shall be taken In a primary
before having II acted upon by the
Legislature. The reasons why the Demo-
Gratis should first pass upon IL are so
obvious that they need not be given 10
those who will give the matter serious
consideration.
l. myself am firmly convinced that all
such questions should be settled in tho
party. Yours truly,
MARION l.. DAWSON
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