The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-22

he wanted 10 hear IT, lie desired all the
/ light possible.
Mr.. Caskie then offered an amendment
20 Section I. providing that the represen-
tatives from each ward be elected by the
voters OF their respective wards, instead
Of the voters OF the entire city. Mr.
Caskie said that his object was to secure
proper men on the board. and, in order TO
do so. he thought II would be Indispensa-
bic 10 allow each ward to vote for its
own renrescntatlve. This would prevent
canvasslng. and men who would go
around canvassing were not proper men
/ for members Of tho board.
Pending a vote o.. this amendment Mr..
/ Julian Bryant. representing the Young
Mems Business Association. was given
/ tho floor Mr.. Bryant made an earnest
and forcible speech on behalf OF that or
eanlzation in behalf OF the bill. though.
he said. he did not approve the amend
mont offered. All the people should be
permitted TO vote for members OF the
I board.
Mr.. r. W. Powers made an earnest
speech I'm favor OF the board. calling at
tcntion 10 the great need Of a chang I'm
the antiquated business methods of the
city lie could see no objection whatever
10 the bill as the powers OF the board
were 50 limited. lie earnestly hoped that
tho measure might be adopted
Mr. J.. A. Catlin said that nearly all of
the business organizations OF the city had
passed resolutions in favor OF the bill. and
similar action had been taken by the
Democratic League for Good Government.
The only objection 70 the bill that he had
heard was that A. reflected on the Coun-
cil He could not see that Il did 80 in any
manner This council was good one,
and the bill was only offered because
there was a fear that there might not be
so good a body secured IN the future.
MI. Waliorstein then went on to speak
of The good work done by the present
council
Gentlemen present tonight" he said
admit the good results OF tho work
OF this council, and just as they become
apparent, We arc told that we don
understand our business. but must be
wound mp like automata and 90 accord
ing % thf wind This will be the elect
II this bin IS adopted
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Mr. S. II. Hawcs. president or tho
Chamber Of Commerce. said that he was
present on account Of his deep interest
I'm the measure. and was deputized 20 say
that the Chamber approved OF the meas
ure in every respect.
Mr.. Henry Cohen. Of the Old Dominion
Democratic Club representing Jeffer-
son Ward delegation. next spoke lie
took the ground that the proposed FL
nance Board was nothing but a commis-
sion: would do as it pleased. and there
would be no appeal from Its decisions
lie claimed that the Board. despite Mr..
Merediths statement to tho contrary,
would affect the wages of the employees
Of the city.
Mr. Cohen could find no good points IN
the bin whatever and he declared that
the people OF jefferson Ward. from which
ne came. would elect 10 member Of the
Board Of Finance. The speaker also dis
covered in the bill a vital blow 20 the
public schools Of tho city.
Mr.. Cohen concluded the list OF citizen
speakers. and Mr.. Bountree moved as a
substitute for Mr. Caskie's amendment,
that the Board Of Finance be elected by
th Council The substitute was lost, and
Mr.. Caskie's amendment was adopted
Mr. Bl0omberg then moved that the
first Board Of Finance shall be composed
of the members of the present Finance
Committee as follows: Messrs. G. W.
Harwicke o. S. Allen. i. u. Starke. w
a. zimmerman, Joseph Wallerstein, $.
u. Cottrell. r. J., Harrelson. Henry c.
Jones and ". w Rountrce.
Mr.. B'oomberg made a strong speech IN
favor of his amendment. saying II would
remove serious objections 10 the meas
ure. and be in accordance. he thought,
with the wishes Of the people.
Mr. Caskic spoke against the amand-
mo,t. lie said that the object OF the
measure was 10 give each ward represen-
tation. IN the amendment was adopted
there would be no representative from
Marshall or Jacks'N- Ward.
Mr.. BlOombcrg SAID that II was prob
ablo that certain OF the members OF tho
Finance Committee would not serve. and
that I'm filling the vacancies these two
wards could secure representation
4 vote was then taken ON the amend
mcnt. and 90 was lost, Mcssrs R0untree
and Harrelsoa being excused from vot-
irg
Mr.. Ebel offered an amendment 10 Sec
tion 10 striking out the clause providing
that the pay of members Of the Fire De
partmcn. shall not Doe diminished except
hy the Board OF Fire Commissioners
The amegdment was lost
CHANGE THE FISCAL YEAR
Mr.. Bloomhcrg offered an amendment
80 Section 6 allowing the Council power
10 change the fiscal year for appropril-
fions when 90 shall SEQ it. Mr.. Bloom
berg explained that his amendment was
for the purpose of obviatng the heavy
payment OF interest which tho city w.s
compelled 10 make IN anticipating rs
own revenues
The amendment was unanimously
adopted.
3lr Wallcrste'n then addressed the
Council on the provisions OF the bill. in
the outset he said that there had been
any number of statements during the
past year which had advertised 10 the
world that the city was in "A bankrlpt
condition. whereas he believed IL would
compare favoraby with almost any other
municipality
Alr. Wallerstc.n claimed that the pro.
posed measure practically took away all
of the powers and the council. and itself
had powers which De aid not think had
ever before been delegated to any board
or any commission. lie said 10 was i'm
the hands Of n few men 10 say that such
and such a department should not con-
duct that department according 10 its
judgment.
our very able City Attorney" said
Mr.. Wallerstein, says that this Is SIM
ply "A creation Of third branch 70 the
Council. without reflection on either
branch. think there is one branch too
many now"
A FRAUDULENT MOVE.
Mr.. Wallsrstein said that II was a re-
mote possibility. but II corrupt men got
on the Board they might form a bank
ing institution and force the city 10 de-
pOsit its funds there. as power was given
thcm under the act % designate where
the city's funds should be deposited.
Mr. Meredith brieiv disclaimed that
there had been any intention 10 reflect on
the Finance Committee by the presenta-
ton Of the bill, ia proof Ct which he said.
four members Of the Finance Committee
had been engaged In framing it. Mr.
Meredith also said that should the mem
hers OF the board be guilty of fraud the
council had power 10 remove them.
Mr. Wallerstein dlsclaimed any inter-
- tl,