The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-01
JANUARY.
THE NEW olTY CHARTER.


visions for Its government and main
tenance were inadequate. snd in conse-
quence revisions of the charter have
been several times necessary. Some OF
these changes were wise and worked
we'll in the machinery Of municipal
management. Others born OF Ignorance
of the true needs OF the city or an ex-
aggerated idea OF It's limits and posi-
bilities were early found ss unservicea
BILE ae the fifth wheel OF wagon, and
as unnecessary as brake upon smooth
and level road. As q result OF these
improbable innovations the city was
put to G great deal of unnecessary ex-
pense in the creation OF new offices, for
which there was no necessity. All OF
these changes in the charter are so
fresh in the minds OF our citizsns as to
need no recapitulation, Suffice 1t to
say that most of them have been fully
tried and found wanting, leaving the
tax-payers with the burdens to bear and
the community the Ill results Of so
much overweight.
Recently the City Council, with the
most laudable motives possible, have
overhRulod the present charter, and after
woeks of laborious work have formu-
lated new one which Ia to be presented
to the legislature for adoption or rejec
zion. While some of the minor changes
OF the document may be improvements
over old methods, there are those which
on careful examination, will be found
unnecessary Innovations, and some OF
them Of very doubtful propriety.
snort r9viaw of some Of these proposed
changes may not be out OF order in this
connection, along with notice of such
objec lions As are apparent on examina
ton.
First In the list Of such objections Is
the proposition to combine the Office OF
mayor with that of justice of the peace
and pay him fixed salary for his SER
vices. Instead OF doing this 1t appears
to us that far better plan would ba to
Pay the mayor OF the city merely &
nominal sslary or let him servs for
nothing as members Of the Council now
do Thus the people would be able to
bestow the honor on gome worthy cIti-
zen who would DO unable or unwilling
to devote his whole time to the plod-
ding details Of such position as Is con
templated in the provisions OF tho pro-
posed charter, while the legal duties
could be more satisfactorily filed, per
haps, at fixed salary by some one
better acquainted with the law.
Again it appears to US that the crea.
sion OF the position OF city tax collector.
and paying the treasurer salary is
simply adding to the numbsr OF paid
officials without, in any degree. lessen
Ing expenses. This work of collecting
taxes, licenses, etc, seems to have been
done as we'll under the old system as i.
will be possible to do it under the now.
It is simply adding to tho complications
of the municipal government without
any reciprocal returns in the m after OF
economy.
The plan Of paying the commissioner
OF revenue salary instead OF compsn-
Hating him by the legitima ste fees OF the
Office. is open to tho general objection.
In the case OF ali such officers, that
where the salary Is fixed by law the in
centives to active exertion are in large
degree removed, and, in consequence,
instead OF adding to the receipts OF the
city from this office. 1t Is only paving
the way for deficits. AS plain bust.
MI noCfk
slight knowledge OF human nature, IL
must be admitted by oil that the worst
collectors Imaginable, IS rule, arc
salaried ones. Sometimes, 1t is true,
men are so conscientious that they will
work harder for weekly. monthly o.
annual stipend than for wages which
are paid in fees and commissions; but
Shese men are rare, so far as the exper-
ience Of governments and corporations
is concerned:
Another proposition that demands the
thoughtful consideration OF Taxpayers
Ia the one to give the Council the power
to increase the bonded indebtedness of
the city to an extent not exceeding If
teen per centum of the assessed value Of
the real and personal property of tho
city for the benefit of schools and to
make such internal improvements as In
the wisdom OF the municipal Legislature
may seem necessary. The Law already
allows the city to issue bonds to ten per
cent, Of the assessed value of such prop.
erty, and, in view of the great shrink