The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-05
SEPARATE And DISTINCT.
The Idministr. tiV, and Legislative
Branches Of The City GoVerm.nt.
THE GOOD GOVERNMENT LEAGUES AIM
The h port of the Special Committee Pres
sented to the Open Meeting Last
Nigbt-Inier~sting Address by
MIR, John u. Minor.

There is going to be warm fight IN
this city next fall. when the election tor
members OF the Legislature comes Oil.
and judging from present Indications.
the Democratic League Cor Good Gov
eminent expects to be in the ring and
remain there TO the finish.
At last the League has showed It's spurs.
and from now on their battle cry Will
be Amend the city charter"
Al the meeting of the League held IN
| Ladbe's Hall last evening d resolution
wSs brought before the body which adj
yocated the new move, and which clearly
! Gthned it as the one vital issue before the
League, the accomplishment of which
ineans a better healthier. and more eco
nomical city government.
Along this line. the League was most
ably addressed by Mr.. John b. Minor,
who conclusively demonstrated fact
in which his judgment was backed up
bv Colonel John ). Purcell-that the
city should have new charter, and one
N when the iegist,.,e anu executive
administrations shall be separate and
distinct. To the end and accomplish
ment that these two branches OF local
government shall be divorced and inde-
pendent in their actions. will the League
l.nd its power and influence.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER.
Owing TO the absence OF President j..
A. Catlln. Colonel John b. Purcell called
the meeting to order shortly before
o'clock. After the minutes OF the last
meeting had been read and approved.
report from the Membership committee
was made by Mir. l.. III. Jenkins, chair
man of the committee. in which ne stated
that the committee had passed favoraoiy
upon twenty names of gentlemen VINO
desired TO become members OF the League.
They were elected by unanimous vcce
members OF the League.
Mr.. Jenkins also read a report, in which
he suggested that In order TO increase
the membership of the League, IL would
do well TO change Article III. OF the By
Laws. which imposes upon each appli-
cant the obligation to vote for all OF the
nominees OF the League. The commit
tee suggested tine elimination OF such
obligation.
Upon the advisabiity OF eliminating
discussion, and IT was finally referred.
upon a motion of Mr.. Bryant, to the
Board Of the League for action.
MIR. MINORS ADDRESS.
Under the report OF the Committee on
Municipal Government, Mr.. John Is. NJ
nor addressed the League upon the SUB
feet of an ideal city charter. He said:
Il want to call your attention - the
fact that in considering a charter gov
esnnen. We are tnlo~n entifeiy upon
our own resources. In considering the
question Of a charter system OF govern
ment for municipality, We must take
into consideration that we have with
US the right Of suffrage
Here Mr.. Minor showed that the mu-
nicipal government Of 4 small town ana
a city could not be run on the same
lines.
In the first place the greatest free
dom should be left to each municipality
to manage its own affairs" said Mr..
Minor. In this respect, Richmond mas
been particularly happy.
In granting franchises and contracting
a municipal debt, a city's government
should have limited power
A city has no right TO give away IRAN
chises that may result detrimentally TO
future generations. For this reason the
city government could not have the
power to give unlimited franchises and
privileges to be enjoyed under them. As
for "A municipal debt the city government
should not have the power TO contract
one for an unlimited time or beyond the
value OF the taxable property OF the city,
Here Mr. Minor showed that in at
tempting 10 run the local government by
committees. there was a tendency to con-
found the executive and legislative de
partments, which has always proven a
mistake.
Mr.. Minor thought the executive officers
Of city should be elected by a popular
vote, and for a term Of not less than
four years. and that they should be given
a sufficiently large salary so as to enable
them 10 give their whole time to the city's
interest. N
Mr.. Minor gave a detailed description
Of the proper working of the machinery Of
a healthy city government.
His remarks were strong, logical, and !
full OF common sense.
In regard to the legislative department |
Mr. Minor said 1t was necessary TO have |
two branches. so as to provide for two |
dHerent systems Of representation.
i1r Minor favored the enforcement OF |
a strict and prorer civil service law IN |
the administration OF the CITY govern |
ment. and he was OF the opinion that |
civil service would result in the greatest
benefit to the city.
THE RESOLUTION.
Following Mr.. Minors address, the FOL.
lowing report Of the Special Committee,
bearing upon the same, was read:
NichmOnu, Va, Apru a. lSJ'.
Mr.. T. a. Catlin. President OF the League
for Good Government:
Sir.-At the April meeting Of the League
a resolution was adopted requesting
special committee, to be constituted as
stated below, to report 10 the next regu-
lar meeting Of the League, what II any
changes in the charter of the city OF
Richmond the League proposed to rec
)mmend for passage by the next Stat
Legislature. TO meet here in December
1aAt.
The committee TO whom this subject
vas referred was 10 consist OF the mem
)ers of the judiciary Committee. namely.
Jackson Guy. John A. Coke. Julian Bry
mt. George L. Christian. and ]. r. V
Daniel OF the president of the League.