Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-01
TALK OVER CHANGES
CHARTER COMMITTEE SPEND AN
EVENING IN DISCUSSION.
CONTROL OF FUNDS The MAIN TOPIC.
Citizens Heard Upon the Question of
n hoard of Finance-City Attorney
Presents n Plan Which Ii to BE
Amplified md Returned.

The Committee on Changes to the City |
Charter held special meeting last night |
and heard statements from several prom;- |
nent citizens touching the subject for |
which the committee was created by the !
Council. II was an intensely interesting
session, at which the question OF city
fnanciering was discussed at great length
Those present were Chairman Rountree
and Messrs. Carter, Noble, Ryan, zim-
hermann, CARRIER, and HARRISON, Of the
committee; City-Attorney Meredith. ana
Messrs. Virginius Newton, George Ainslie,
Roosevelt Page, John f. Donleavy, jack
son Guy, Carlton Mccarthy. C. w. Tan
ner. and others, who were on hand as In
terested spectators.
After the calling Of the body 10 order
the Chair stated that citizens interested
in this movement had been invited TO De
present and give their views touching the
subject of charter changes. Mr. VIZ
ginius Newton was the first speaker. and
he reviewed the work of the Democratic
League for Good Government i'm behalf OF
commissions, and said that he had newer
been in favor OF them save as a choice
between two evils. Mr.. Newton spoke III
brief upon city charters generally, and
especially dwelt upon the various methods
of electing members Of city councils
The present tendency OF charters Vi
American cities was 70 increase the pow
ers of the mayor. Duties of city couhcns
were becoming purely legislative AZ
executive power being vested in the
navor who Is held responsible Tor the
actions of the departments created Dy
him 'T have been called an advocate Oh
commissions" continued Mr.. Newton !
have never favored them save as choice
of evils. ] have only favored them al
order TO take from the Council the rlsn'
To nerform executive functions. COM
tS,,ing LEGISLATIVE and executive powers,
the sneaker contended was contrary 10
,ba slate and Federal institutions.
Mr.. Newton said the system in vogue III
CT Jouis was about the best that couid
he secured There committee Oh thlrteeh
vas elected by popular vote TO consider
the revision of the citys charter Inc
work of this committee had peeh sun
noltted TO ami passed upon by the Leglsia-
80 NJ Missouri Touching the subject
80 1eeieIative commission. suggested BY
Citv- Attorney Meredith at the last meet
toer NJ the committee. Mr.. Newton sald
tho4 this was an admirable plan. Inc
hodv amending the money OF the Guy
sto,,ld have nothing 10 do with It's appro-
priation.
THE WORK A GOOD ONE.
! ~. >rou,ton was followed by Mr.. jack
GOV, cnv who conceded almost entirely
] son r,,,at had been said by his prede-
ossor He was very glad TO see tha'
49, Council of the city had taken up TINS
! subject Of charter changes. III sno"eu
ON intelligent appreciation or the heeus
~ the people. The speaker reierreo ~
the great increase in the bondeo uept %
thc citv. and spoke briefly of the move
y 80 cot un SOME time back. 10 create
-, commissions here. Mr.. Guy declared
4 ~. q was unwise to have the same body
,ho+ concentrated the money 10 speno
=. Tbe legislative and executive de-
D or.,,ents Of the city should be kept sepa
d 80 and distinct, and the plan that th'
! oitv NJ Richmond should follow, Mr: uu,
\ tbought. was to have somebody aiiot
8 certain sum OF money TO each Oh 'he Fal ,
Gus departments, with the pos..Ne tha
4 edge on the part of the departments lna
q ,,,ore money could be obtained by an!
\ of them during that fiscal year. A.,
Az Rosewell Page spoke briety on tn
D -,iioot taking a position very similar !,
4 tbat held by Messrs. Newton ana Guy
He said that 1t was 1undamehtd, pm
cinle OF sound government not 10 iet en
bodv that apprcpriates pubic money ca
pend II.
4 FOR A BOARD OF FINANCE.
All tho citizens present who desired I
u sneak uDon this matter having conSi ~, :
their remarks, the Chair announces nc
D the question was open Tor oiscusSion :,
,,aorohers of the committee. Clty-Attor
\ rrorared a rough outline OF plan 10
enance commission or board, Whlch
\ submitted as foilows'
h There shall be a board or nnaHce
y the city of Richmond .o,,o,,r. I'm
y renresentative from each ware, ~ :
n elected nv a vote of the city, anu t TO-
sis ,oor,bers of either branch OF the Coui
~ Tbe Mayor ana presidents Oh -
" Srorches of the Council TO De eA-olne'
n members of the board. with Iu I 20" ,,,,r
A, che first meeting the tlecleu M ~,
d - ehan he divided by lot into thIs
Y o,assesNone class TO serve two years, :. ~
second class to serve four year . az" ,ncsr
A third class 10 serve SIX 100, eai9 ,of terr
~ I'm he allied for a term OF SIX years. ~
n si ,ta,. yacancies are to be filled FOR uhe'
q pired terms; Lou have entire col
p troll of appropriating 10 10 .n' he spent /
4 partih 5,r,pg any period, not exceedir
n mem 80 a. a lime. It's decision shali
y one SSho management of the Guy uel
hh5i the sinking fund and making az
y anu VI - tenoDorary loans shall De lOds'
y phsns mn said board. The hxlhg
p thulely ~ license taxes snail pc WI
lnS ma after the City Council shd
n have designated the cia'
IL nav the license taxes, .-,,o,1os hv n
q pay NJ money shall be expendeo oy =, 81
o,3,, or maid OUT by any ofiicer OF Ins CIV
y o,esii anpropriated by the sald poaiu'
K uh'' HOW IT WOULD WORK
Z 40. Meredith explained at some iehs
MI r,,stem such as is outlined In !
y nsner could be operated. ne sussS.
n ,Sat this board should make us app
rtstions annually, not more wan
- spas1snated part thereof 10 be expenu
a 1'.,,,ein anv quarter. He said ne mao !
wi' WIN. OF the two branches OF |
the plT on the board in order that IN
"A oou,,. no the mouthpiece OF the "
p iIiisn1 70 most the body as to the CIT.
q NJ Mr. Zimmerman spoke brieny IN
IA 80 IN the matter Of creathg Inai
son,ission. He said he was not SO niu
~ ~ fayor of commissions now as ne
"a - come time ago. His experience a.
peen 81 The Board of Aldermen n
mems ~ nocmbers of commissions sho'
~ pee' elected for long terms IL wo
~ nv ',ot, better not TO have any or IN
~ elected for longer terms w oh'e. -
40 four years. Mr.. Zlmihsl ni rr.,,o,soos