Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-16

The wisdom of the action of the CITY
Councils in comforting extraordinary
powers upon the Board of Water Com
missioners having been seriously ques-
toned, the Virginian-P Pilot has decided
TO submit the matter to representative
citizens for their views on the sub
ject.
Following are some of the interviews
given the Virginian-P. lot yesterday:
COL. L. ID. STARKE.
Colonel L. D. Starke, being asked for
his views on the subject, replied that
every department OF the city govern
ment should be held to the strictest ac-
countablllty. 1t is no reflection upon the
incumbents to say that the power con-
ferred by the Councils upon the Board
or Water Commissioners 10 create
without limitation, as many new offices
as they might deem necessary, and to
afilN such salaries to those Offices as
they might choose, was a power that
ought not to be conferred upon any
subordinate branch Of the city govern
ment. The board might not abuse the
power. but suppose they did, who could
restrain or correct them? No such
ment. which demonstrates the general
trend of public sentiment on this sub
1ect. and no good reason has been as
signed why 1t should be given to the
water Board. Indeed, the Councils are
themselves but trustees for the man
aSement of our municipal affairs. and
1t Is believed that it never was intend
cd by the Legislature, in granting the
city charter to authorize the Councils
TO strip Themselves nf
~ their own and delegate them to
others. When the ordinance of last Feb
ruary was passed comforting these ex-
traordinary powers, Councilman East
proposed u proviso to the effect that,
after the appointments shall have
been made, their duties defined. and
their compensation fixed the same
snail be approved by the Councils
Ihat was a very proper amendment.
and should have been passed. but 1t
was voted down.
MIR. r. HENRY JONES.
"If had been in the Councils when
the ordinance granting these powers to
the Water Board was introduced I
would have fought 1t from the begin
ming. Not only this, but every other
department should be directly under
the control Of the Councils"
COLONEL C. a. NASH.
I am opposed to the Water Depart
ment, or any other city department, be-
ing allowed such powers as these. All
authority should emanate from the
councils. These bodies should exercise
control over every official and all de-
partments. / think anyone who has
been member of the Councils will say
the same thing
MIR. THOMAS TOWNSEND.
I'm regard to the ordinance giving
the Board of Water Commissioners
power to run the Water Department re-
gardless of the Councils, I have to saw
that if 1t is right to grant such powers,
to the Water Board why not go n step
further and grant the same powers to
the Board of Street, Sewer and Drain
commissioners, and, in fact, all boards.
and relieve the Councils of still
more responsibility and trouble. Why
load your Councilmen with small de-
tails, such 9s looking after the financial
affairs Of the city? Why should they
be required to know what certain de-
partment is spending; or what salary
an official Is getting? 1t would be too
much work for them; too great n re,
sponsibility. But by no means should
Partially be shown. Treat all the
boards as near alike rs possible.
seriously, l am very much opposed
to the delegation of powers as shown
in that ordinance. The Water Board Is
its own boss. and that should be true
of no city department"
MIR. C. II. TERRELL.
''In reply to your request for my
views on the ordinance granting au-
thority to the Water Board to manage
its own affairs. l will say that per-
sonally I would prefer to say nothing
about this matter; but, still, as the in
tornStS of tho nity " Int "a,
in sense, do not see any imoro-
priety In stating that my opinion is
that 1t is not right to grant one city
board more power than another. The
power delegated in this ordinance
seems to me, after careful reading, to
take the Water Board practically out
of the hands of the Councils. I should
not be SURPRISED If, under this ordin-
ance, the Board has the perfect right
to establish q water meter system, for
instance. do not know that any OF
the powers have been abused, but 1t
is not advisable to let one Board have
such wide authority and restrict the
| Others"
MIR. c. WHITTLE SANS.
1T am opposed to any department OF
our city government being allowed
| free rein. 1t is. In my opinion, con-
| trary to the spirit OF our charter.
| Every Official should be accountable Ia
| the representatives of the people OF
the city"
THE ORDINANCE IN QUESTION.
| Passed by Common Council February
| 9TH, 1899.
Passed by Select Council February
14th 1899.
AN ORDINANCE.
! Amending and Re-cnacting Section
/ 4 Of Of
Section /. BE it ordered by the Com