The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-15
10 SEPARATE TIE POWERS
Of AppropriatiDs and Spending Money
For City Purposes.
BILL TO GREATS A BOARD OF FINANCE
Submitted by the city Attorney 70 tho
Council Committee on Charter Amends
nsnfs Last Evening-The city Must
nst Live Beyond It's Income.

Visibility OF having amendments 10 '"o
city charter prepared to be submitted 10
the General Assembly at the next ses-
sion, held lengthy session at the Oi'y
Hall last evening. communication was
received from MIR. Virginius newton
who made a number Of valuable susses-
tions as 10 charter amendments he
thought that all amendments OF tne
drawing OF a new charter should DE
,urned over TO a special committee con-
sisting OF the heads OF various oi'y
partments. ,-...s.
The principal object OF the gathering,
however was 10 receive the report Oh
clty-Attorney Meredith, who had Deeh
raouested TO draw bill providing for the
creation Of a Board Of Finance ana oenh-
tno its powers. The paper was very
carefully drafted and created quite
lively discussion. but no action was taken
on the measure. Its prihcipal lea.ulo'
accordin,, 10 the explanation OF Mr.. Mere
aith. was TO separate 'he Po"' -
nropriating money from that OF speiiu-
,ny thus compelling the city to hVe
within its income. o
The committee met shortly AFTER
o'clock last evening in Room No. OF the
Cytv Hall The following members were
nresent. Mesrss. ROuntree tcnalrmdhl'
Otway S. Allen, CARRIER, HARRISON, JOINS
and Noble. The absentees were Messrs'
carter RYAN and Zimmerman, the lat
ter being prevented by sickness from belhs
present. .,.,-,~>.,
MIR. MENTIONS SUGGESTIONS.
The Chair stated that ne had received
q communication from Mr. Virginius New
ten. In compliance with the request on inc
part of the committee that any sugges-
tions as 10 the amending Of the charter
should be submitted in writing In ms
.ommunica non. which WAS read, MT
Newton said.
IF the experience Of other cities in the
United tates are 10 be "a guide at all 10
Us. we cannot escape the conclusion that
the trend and form OF charter drafting Is
in the direction
First. TO increase the power Of the
Mayor. To make him the chief executive.
with thu power to appoint. subject TO the
approval of the Board Of Aldermen.
sometimes without their APPROVAL, the
heads OF all executive departments, gas
water. streets. health etc. holding him
personally responsible for due and eff
Client management. in Difference 10 the
principle that power and responsibility
must be united IN one hand. if the con-
demnation or approval Of the public is TO
be made effective.
Second. Limiting the powers OF the
Council TO matters Of legislation, appro-
priation and supervision.
1.-The large cities 10 the north and west
OF us. with few or no exceptions. have
made changes IN their organic law in
the directions indicated, within the pc
RODS OF five TO ten years. The charter
Of orr city Is a model in vogue twenty
two years ago. and now antiquated. If
II ovr.orfaDgcC about "
have nothing TO guide us and deliberately
choose the robe Of the ostrich.
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE.
81 hope therefore. that your committee.
in It's report to the Council Will unite in
a recommendation that the whole ques-
ton Of changes. including the question of
new charter be referred TO a special
committee. for report 10 the Council here
after. a committee composed Of the City
Attorney. City Engineer, Commissioner of
the Revenue. Auditor. President OF the
Council. President Of the Board of Alder
men and seven citizens Of the intelligence
and training fitted to consider a question
OF such import
''Your service thus Tar on the present
committee as we'll as your experience Of
other COMMITTEES. will. 7 am sure. con-
vince yon that the matter Of changes
in the charter. as well as consideration
OF n new tiltiAtis tlf ii'A 'IhFNAibuN II ~
20 be well. or even intelliEently handled.
as a whole. by p committee Of Council
OF hy the Council itself both OF whom
are even now. I'm their ordinary duties.
sadly over-worked body Of men. If we
are 10 secure better results, better forms
OF procedure. II Is clear that they must
come from those competent to give much
study much discussion and much time
20 the subject The composition OF the
Finance Committee now under discussion
with you may effect some good but no
real efficiency and economy can arise
from a system which places the power Of
appropriation Of moneys and the expendi-
ture OF moneys in one and dhe same
hands. particularly, when the hands are
so many that the touch of personal re-
sponsibility is lost"
The communication was placed on file.
and the chairman then called for the
reading Of the draft of the bill prepared
by the City Attorney. providing for the
creation Of a Finance Board of the city
OF Richmond. and defining its powers
FULL TENT OF THE BILL
City Attorney Meredith then read the
act as prepared by him. which was as
follows:
bill TO create a Finance Board Of the
city Of Richmond and TO define its powers.
BE Il enacted by the General Assembly
OF Virginia:
l. There shall be a Board OF Finance
OF the city of Richmmd. which shall be
composed as follows The mayor who
shall be ex-officio president. and one re-
preventative from each ward TO be elect
ed by the voters Of the entire city No
person shall be elected such representa-
tive who shall hold any Office. position or
employment under the city, State or ma
uonal government, and any member who,
during his term OF office. shall be nomi-
mated for any Office elected by the people.
and shall not decline the said nomination
ten days from the time he has notice
thereof. or who shall be elected or ap-
pointed 10 any city. State or national Of
fee and shall accept. shall be deemed
ipso facto TO have vacated his position
on said board. An representative may be
removed from Office for good cause shown
and after hearing by the City Council.
by vote OF two thirds OF all the members
elected 20 each branch Of the City Coun-
ell II said vote shall be approved by the
mayor, and II vetoed. then by a three
fourths vote Of said members.
.. The election OF the representatives or
members OF said board shall first be held
AZ the municipal election TO be held on the
fourth Thursday in May 1898, and all
members. subsequently elected TO said
board. shall be elected at the subsequent
biennial municipal elections for six years.
Their term Of Office shall begin on the
eret dav ~ IulV etIccoedino fbafr rocroc