Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-21
xrporIors COUNCILMEN.

Nepotism must be raging In Richmond
20 call forth such an ordinance as that
which has passed the Common Council,
and Which contemplates forbidding mem
bers OF either branch to vote to elevate
20 Office near kinsmen and marital rela-
tions.
True. the Board OF Aldermen has re-
iected the ordnance, but a committee or
conference has just recommended the
Board 70 reverse its action. Under the
circumstances, we must presume that
the evil complained Of exists, but we can
not believe the remedy proposed VIII
avail
II we understand the State Constitu-
ton Alright, It sets forth what are the
qualifications for voting and holding Of
fee. and with an due respect for our
City Council, we doubt if it has the power
10 amend or abrogate any of the provi-
sions Of that instrument.
II man be eligible for office. any other
qualified voter has the right to vote for
him
The Legislature of Virginia, when It
nassed the first electoral-board bill (An-
derson-McCormick law. required that
the members of these boards should be
freeholders, but the Supreme Court OF
Appeals Of Virginia declared that that
requirement. was unconstitutional and
void. And so the Legislature had to be
reoonyened I'm midsummer to pass an
other law.
The fact IS. the provision with reter-
ence 10 freehoiders was inserted In the
lazy unintentionally; the Legislature knew
that II could not add to the qualifications
for holding Office prescribed by the Con-
stitution.
man. no matter what may be his
official or unofficial position, may vote
for himself or for his son. or his father
or his brother-in-law, or any other per-
SON VINO is qualified to hold office under
the Constitution.
The only good likely 70 come out of
The proposed ordinance is that 1t will cah
public attention to the evils Of ne
potism-an offence most Of us are quick
20 condemn in others, yet are willing to
practice ourselves.
II the proposed ordinance should pass
the Board and be approved by the Mayor
81 would be a dead-letter; it couldS not
he enforced. 1t would only be an ad-
dition TO the many laws that are made
not to be enforced.
II may be- however that the discussion
that has taken place will not be with
ont good effect. Public attention viii
he drawn to the evil complained Of and,
POSSIBLY. members OF the City Council
WI be less eager hereafter than here
,ofore 10 hoist their kin and connections
into office. But there never was time
within the memory Of 1.-THE oldest in
rabltant" when charges were not made
that many men went 10 our City Coun-
al in order TO provide places for kns-
,oen or connections. Population and
ooportunities considered, we doubt If the
cyi is as great now as It was formerly.
without having any statistics TO present
in support Of our position. we venture
20 say that there has been an improve
,ncnt here in this respect In late years.
SaE. that the evil exists. or is believed
10 exist, is shown from the councilmanic
,ction 10 which we have referred. II Ie-
mains 10 be seen. however whether the
city Council will persist in trying TO
Iut upon the statute-books of The city
q law which. II should know, viii be
10 iaw---it being conceded that the state
Constitution cannot be abrosated by any
(.ftv Councfl