Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-01-09
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH THE
MAYOR7

MAYOR7
MAYOR RICHARD NJ TAYLoR's veto of
the ordinances for the reduction of the
salaries of the City Engineer, his three
assistants and the Superintendent of
the Gas Works has at last been given
to the public and all speculations con-
corning 1t have at last been set at rest.
1t actually teens with prejudice and
appeals to the worst passions. Our
readers will wonder how the Negro
could have been brought into the mat
ter, and the reproduction of the mes
sage will alone answer the question
Enthusiastically.
He says:
"Gentlemen,-I herewith return to
you with my disapproval the following
proposed ordinances adopted by the
common Council October 5, 1897, re-
ducing the salary OF the Engineer Of
the city, fixing the salaries Of three
assistant engineers, reducing the sala-
ry Of the Superintendent OF the Gas
works.
The ordinances originally passed fix
ing these salaries we're adopted by the
required vote of two-thirds OF each
branch of the Council. / cannot un-
derstand, therefore, how, by a simple
majority vote, can these salaries be re-
duced."
Whst reason is there for not APPROX
ing the measure simply because he
"cannot understand 7'' Why did he
not consult the City Attorney and Sc
cure from him an opinion as to the le-
gality of the action of the council :?
He says also:
81 also send you my disapproval of
these proposed ordinances because ]
believe the citizens generally, as well
as the particular officers affected,
should know why you have treated this
matter partially, and have discrimi-
mated against officers equally as efil-
cient and deserving as those not touch
ed at ELL You have taken two depart
mcTits only, leaving the public in doubt
as to what may be proposed hereafter.
and in these tSo departments you
have Disseminated among the Off
GERS, even among those having the
same salaries, with equally as impor-
tant duties"
He charges discrimination on the
part of the council with reference to
office-holders and then proceeds to dis
criminate himself with reference to the
white and colored citizens of this com
munity, although he solemnly swore to
recognize the civil and political equal
ity of all men before the law.
Has Mayor TAYLOR violated that OBJ
legation He can refer to Negroes in
his private relationship, but in the dis
charge of his Official duties, he has no
right to act otherwise than the official
of all the people, black as we'll as
white. rich as we'll as poor.
The Mayor convicts himself of incon-
sistency. There is no reason to be-
lieve that he would approve of hori
zontal reduction of salaries any more
than he would this piece meal arrange
ment In this case. his salary is not
included in the other case it would be
curtailed. He reflects severely upon
the popular branch of the city gov
ernment when he says:
1.-The saving SO far proposed of about
81 800, out OF payroll for the whole
city of over $500 600, does not Indicate
that any substantial reductions will he
made in salaries. If this insignificant
reduction is intended only as a starter.
TO be followed by a wholesale reduc-
tion here after of both salaries and wa
ges, Why shouldn't it be known WHY
this piece meal methodist Is there any
purpose to substitute cheap Negro la
Dor for any of our white employees ?'
Why did he not refer to the cheap
Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese or
Russian labor ? Why did he single out
a race of people, who, as the bone and
sinew of this locality have made the
city, in conjunction with public spirit.
ed white men what she is -? No, it is
studied appeal to prejudice. What
reference has Negro labor to the re-
ductiOn of the salaries of the Office
holders Is there u citizen OF African
descent aspiring to the position of City
Engineer Is there one asking for the
position OF superintendent Of the Gas
Works? Is there any probability OF any
being placed in any of the offices of the
City Hall, even though the salaries be
reduced forty per cent, when there are
hungry white men, with families to
support ready to work for from seven
ty-five cents to one dollar per dag?
And again he walls:
sour tax-burdened white people
want positive proof of fair and sub
staDtial retrenchment in expenses. and
l believe voice their wishes when ]
say that they will not be satisfied with
anything else.
You are perfect y aware that if the
appropriations to all the various de-
partments are reduced till within the
revenues of the city, you will force
each of them to economy and retrench-
ment. If, however, we are to discrimi-
nate in this by extravagant appropria
tions, such as are made for the Negroes
who pay less than 10 per cent of the
taxes. and get 40 per cent of the bene
fits, or favor a few departments at the
expense of others, the reduction of sal
aries, either wholly or partially, will
but meet the vital question of the city
living within its income.
hope your honorable bodies will
reconsider your action concerning
these proposed ordinances.
Is white man burdened with taxes
any more than a colored man who owns
the same amount of real estate and
personal prosperity
Does p DOR white man working at
sI.25 per day pay any more taxes than