Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-26


OF our bonded limit to which IL to |
be added floating Indebtedness Of seys-
raj hundred thousand dollars. IL De-
hooves us. therefore, as businessmen
to seriously consider whether there can
not be devised some plan for the more
economical administration Of our finances.
WOULD BE ENTIRELY INDEPEND- /
ENT.
"A commission would be independent |
Of all those other departments Of the
city government. the consideration or I
whose claims have so often influenced
the Judgment OF members Of every finance |
committee In recommending appropria-
tons. This commission would have but
one thing TO do. and that Is to con-
slider the question OF appropriations
with reference 10 the financial condition
OF the city. Their aim would be 10
make q reputation as wise managers
OF the city's finances, aud they would
make everything subordinate TO that
end I have not the slightest doubt
but that we would find the change from
a Council committee TO commission
most helpful 10 the finances OF the city.
The light commission would have under
It's control, as the Committee on Light
now has the management OF the gas
works. and all matters pertaining TO
the lighting OF the city, except thht
provision has been made In the charter
by which Il would be impossible
for these gentlemen to either sell or lease
the works. or TO make any extra
ordinary expenditure Of money, or make
any contracts for "a longer term than three
years. without the approval or the cry
Council. The gas-works is really a big
manufacturing establishment, In which
the city has invested about million dol
lars and we know from experience that
members Of that committee have here
tofore found II impossible TO fsfpiliariZe
themselves with the details Of the man
agement OF the work and that 1 can say
without the slightest reflection upon the
members OF the committee, for no one
could expect a councilman serving on a
number OF committees 70 look carefully
into the details OF every department
OF the City Government. To DO so would
be TO require him to absolutely give hls
whole time TO city affairs. and so the
Chamber OF Commerce has thought that
commission in charge OF these works
would be able 20 famliarize itself with
all the details OF manufacture, and would
take charge OF the Department OF L!sht
as they would OF any business or their
own. We have seen the good effect OF
these commissions in the experience OF
the Police and Fire departments. Any one
would suppose from the discusslohs
that we have had on this subject re-
Gently that the proposition 20 create com
missions was something entirely new
and unknown In our city ahaus' bul our
own citizens must readily recall that We
have for years been operating our Po-
lice and Fire departments with commits
sions. and with such entire acceptability
TO our people that / am sure i hazard
nothing when / say that four hfths OF
the citizens Of Richmond would oppose
any proposition to abolish these COM
missions. The Police Commission has
conducted It's affairs with so much credit
70 Itself that IL IS universally conceded
that there are few police departments In
the country which are equal In efficiency
10 that OF Richmond. our Fire Com
mission has won for Itself highest
praise both in the economy and In the
efficiency OF its administration. l be-
lieve that a finance and light commission
would soon be- able TO show equally as
gratifying results"
MR.. TURPIN OPPOSES.
Mr.. william M. Turpln. President OF the
Board OF Aldermen. was the next speaker
He said the bills were not the innocent
things that Mr. Eilyson had made them
appear. The question was. he said,
whether the people OF Richmond were
able 20 govern themselves. The bills, he
declared, were an Insult 10 the people Of
Richmond and IL they became laws the
citizens would be shackled ard al the
mercy Of a few men. The Council bad
not been eXtravagent. he said, and the
Businessmen should not kick. for they
had certainly received most Of the benefits
from the appropriations made
POSITION OF AIR. DAWSON.
Mr.. 81. L. Dawson. representing Clay
Ward. followed Dir. Turpin. lie said he
thought tnlt the Democrats had. by their
vote. expressed themselves in opposition
10 any change in the citys charter. He
thought this decision ought 10 be mai.
To agitate such a question at this time,
he thought. would be very unw!se step.
and would cause split In the party.
lie said that he was sure the Chamber
Of Commerce was actuate1 by the highest
and best motives IN urging the proposed
change In the citys government. and that
this body had always had the interest
OF Richmond at heart. Re spoke Of the
splendid service that SIR. Ellyson had
rendered the Democratic party. and said
he held him in high regard. both per-
eonslly and In his Official capacity He
regretted that he had 10 oppose Mr Ely
son in this matter. but his convictions
forced hirh 70 do so.
THE CLOSING ARGUMENT.
Colonel John h. Purcell closed the ar
gument al the morning session. he said
the question decided az the primary cleo
ton was whether or not certain officers
should be elected by the people, and
that by an overwhelming majority the
voters expressed themselves opposed 20
amending the charter in this respect.
He said the taxpayers Of the city were
the ones in favor Of these changes In the
charter as row proposed
The committee then adjourned and AZ
the afternoon session exactly the same
ground was gone over Councilmen
Blake, Curtis. and Carter spoke in op-
position 70 the measure. while Hon. J.
Taylor Elyson and Colonel Purcell again
addressed the committee In its favor.
Colonel Purcelrs speech was an excep-
t!onaily strong argument,
The committee then went into executive
session. and after considering the ques-
ton with closed doors about half an hour.
decided 10 again take the matter I'D this
afternoon. when a vote will be had.
HOW Mr.. CABELL STANDS
The report In yesterdays Dispatch OF
Mr. J. Aston Cabells remarks on the
charter amendments az the meeting Of
the Democratic Club members NAV not
have clearly shown this gentlefnan's po-
sition on that subject. AIR Cabell id not
consider nor discuss the merits OF the
proposition 20 amend the charter Ills
discussion was almost entirely on the line
OF securing party harmony and prevent
Ing any breach therein by forcing an II.
sue between the Chamber OF Commerce
and the mass OF the voters Of the Demo-
cratic party. represented at that meet
Ing. Mr.. Cabell could not be understood
opposing proposition which contem-
plated submitting 70 the voters OF Rich
mond the question OF whether or not they
desired the proposed changes In the
charter 20 be made. His difficulty on this
nnlrf hnrravef rraa rrhafhnr III. r,,.aa,lnr,