Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-09
FAVOR SOME CHANGES
OLD DOMINION CLUE WANTS COM
uJsSIoNERs' TERMS LIMITED.
ALSO OPPOSES THE FINANCE BOARD.
llveiy ana Interesting Discussion
Last Night-RinGInE Speeches Made
ON 10th sides, OF the Two Cues
tions.
tions.

The Old Dominion Democratic Club, at
It's regular monthly meeting last night,
discussed at some length the proposed
charter changes. as far as they relate
10 the terms of Office Of commissioners Of
police and fire departments, and to the
appointment Of a board Of finance. The
debate was a very interesting one and
resolutions were adopted opposing the
creation Of finance board, and acquiesc-
Ing in the charter amendments which pre-
scribe that no commissioner shall be ell
&ble to succeed himself.
The attendance at the meeting was not
very large. and IL was nearly 9 o'clock
before President Woods called the meet
ing to order. Messrs. NJ. j. O'Donnen,
Adam Dlacont, and II. II. Melton We're
elected to membership and, on notion
ii was decided to ask the committee APP
pointed to arrange for the political dem
onstration on the occasion of the opening
OF the Democratic campaign to confer at
the Powhatan Club, with a view 10 set
Ting up finally the matters connected
with the rally.
THE TERM OF COMMISSIONERS.
Under the head Of new business. Mr..
Henry Cohn took the floor and moved
that 'it is the sense of this club that
no commissioner shall succeed himself.
making brief but forcible speech in sup
port Of the motion. Mr.. Chris Man
ming supported the resolution.
Captain Redford announced himself as
unequivocaliy in favor Of the Fire Com
nissioners Board as at present consti-
har Of 10
exceptionally fine men. and one and all
had the interest Of the department al
heart. They received no compensation
for their time and services. and with the
exception Of Mr. Levy, all Of them were
practical firemen.
Mr.. George Bowden spoke strongly
against the recollection of commissioners
and paid his compliments. in passing
to the Board of Public Interests, which
he stigmatized as the Board of Public
Destruction A commission, he said. was
only another word for a clique. He spoke
highly of the Fire Commissioners Board
but contended that all boards are too
far away from the people. I'VE can
get at them" he continued but If thu
members are only eligible for one term
we can get at them" lie scored th'
Police Board for meeting behind CLOSED
doors, and charged them with unfulhiie'
pledges, and with importing men to serv'
on the police force.
DEPARTMENT WE'LL CONDUCTED.
Captain BEDFORD. rising to reply SAFE
he had served twenty-seven years In tn
Fire Department, and he did not thinl
the commissioners Of that department
ought to be dashed over the shoulders o
the Police Commissioners. Tie was EN-
phatically opposed TO including the Fir
Board in the motion, for he was con
WINGED that the department was conduct
ed as well as 1t possibly could be.
Mr.. Manning arraigned the Fire De
partment. and quoted several Instance
of what he considered fagrant abuses.
Mr.. James e. Taylor propounded tn
question. should this resolution b
adopted, what proof have we that tn
new men will carry out our wishes bet
ter than the old commissioners
The argument put MIR. Samuel Stern !
mind that the members of the club wer
men and citizens and taxpayers, h
said: what we want Is good govern
ment. good commissions. good firemen
and good police" He said he though
the police force Of this city was the bes
in the United States, and as far as tn
Police Commissioners were concerned
they were doing the best they could, an
We're not getting paid for 1t. III an
men who constituted these commissions
then they should be brought before Ia
public and discharged. but he was az
alterably opposed, he said, TO the motto
before the club
AIR. Manning asked MIR. Stern II h
were In favor of commissions and IN
latter replied that ne was certainly !
favor OF the present Fire Commission.
Mr.. Bowdcn again discussed the matte
and asked Mr. Cohn why he had nc
added the School Board. $50
Mr, cohn agreed TO accept the amend
ment and the question was put and III
motion carried by a vote Of TO 4.
A motion that the secretary be In
stfnetcd TO notify the Board OF Alder
men Of tho action OF the club also pr,
vailed.
OPPOSE BOARD or. FINANCE
Ar. cohn then moved that eommittt
Of two should be appointed 20 80 befoi
the Council when II meets. Decembe
zlst 70 oppose the bin 10 create
raance board which he termed 9TH
most iniluitops measure that WAS eys
thrust upon the citizens Of Richmond
Ar. T. l.. Wood said he thought