Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-21
FIN OUTRhGEOUS MEhSU
The Ordinance Comforting Extraordinary Pow
6rS UDOnth6 BOdrdOf Water Commissioners.
Citizens and Continue Pronounce Action Of
Councils Unwise and Uncaled for-The Ordinance Not
in Keeping With the Spirit Of Democratic Government
Not Voice Raisedin its Defense Was Said Yes
terday.

Below will be found a number of in
terviews with citizens and taxpayers
whose opinions as to the wisdom of the
action Of Councils in comforting extra
ordinary powers upon the Board of
Water Commissioners. make interesting
and instructive reading:
MIR. EDWARD CAMP.
My vote in the Common Council
shows how I stand on the ordinance
granting these extraordinary powers to
the Water Board. 1 think as thought
then, that it is an outrageous measure.
1t was passed through the Councils
without discussion on either side.
knew before the Council met that it
would pass. Very often the Council
men vote on important measures
thoughtlessly.
No commission should have such I'M
limited power as is given in this ordi-
nance. 1t tends to tempt persons in
whose hands 1t Is placed. The ordi-
nance should be radically amended.
Now. the Councils are supposed to be
reasonable. I doubt not If the Board
of Water Commissioners, or any other
board, were to show where an office
should be created, a salary raised or an
expenditure made, the Councils would
grant 1t. They give those boards under
their control verything that Is shown
to be necessary. 1 see no reason there
fore for any board doing Just as 1t
pleases.
Il favor an annual statement being
required of all departments, giving an
ltemized account of all moneys paid out,
this statement to be published. This
would be rendering an account directly
to the people. whose money is ex-
Oended -
c. BILLUPS.
Before answering your question di-
rect, wish to say that the government
OF nearly all the cities of our country
is most imperfect, and we'll calculated
to discourage investments in real es-
tate. II private enterprises were con-
Quoted in the way we conduct the bus
mess OF our cities and counties, we
would be nation of bankrupts in a
very short space of time. The ordi-
nance about which you are asking some
expression of public opinion, gives to
the Water Board FULL AUTHORITY
to arrange and to do in all matters con-
corning the water department as the
Board may see fit EXCEPT as to pro-
positions and plans for ENHANCING
the works. The enlargement feature Is
one RARELY to be considered, so the
public complaint, as I understand 1t,
grows out of the SURRENDER on the
part of the Councils OF their right to
inquire into the details and general
conduct of the affairs OF a very i'm
portant department. of the city govern
ment. I do not know how wisely or un-
wisely. how economically or prodigally,
this department has been administered,
because no details are made known or
required to be published. But regard
the ordinance as an unwise one, be-
cause no department OF city govern
ment should be made SO nearly indie
pendent of review and approval by the
Councils. Desires this, the passage of
the ordinance has subjected the Coun-
ellis and the Board to all kinds of crit
icisms, If not suspicion. No legislation
should be Of a nature calculated to eX
cite the public mind and fever it to the
point of suspicion. 1t is not fair to leg
islative bodies, and most unfair to off,
GERS who may be disposed to honestly
administer the affairs OF their depart
ment !"