Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-10
Citizens Invited TO Attend Meeting
of Committee on Revision.
WILL BE HELD TONIGHT
What n Member FavorH ana May Pro-
pose as Amcndm~nts-Ihe WORK
ofPreviousComrnii Understanding,
ofthe Chnnge. Rccommondea by
the Revision Committee In 1905.
but Not Actch Upon by Councils,

| The special committee on revision of
the city charter will meet at the CITY
| Treasurcrs Office tonight at o'clock.
The committee consists sof the Mayor
and five members OF the Councils. The
| creation of the committee was with
the view that it should take into con-
sideration the previous committee's
recommendations as to changes in the
charter and to recommend such of
these and new amendments as 1t might
deem necessary. All citizens interested
are invited to attend to-nights meet
ing.
a member of the committee, in dis
| cussing some of the changes needed
| from his point of view said that he
| wanted to see the powers OF Councils
restricted as to the granting of fran
| chises. and also wanted n provision in
| corporated in the charter providing
that no resolution appropriating money
(over certain amount. say 5000 should
be passed on the same night 1T is intro
1-duced. a number of other restrictive
amendments may be proposed.
The committee will have before it the
reports of two previous committees on
charter revision. One of these reports.
drawn up in 1896, was adopted by the
Councils OF that year. but never pass
ed the Legislature.
| The other, drawn up in 1898. cover
ing practically the same ground and
charging upon the previous report, was
sent to the last Councils but was in
definitely postponed the Councils not
thinking it eXpedient at that time to
make the changes.
PROPOSED CHANGES.
The changes recommended by this re-
port are summarized below:
In section ii the Mayor is given tho
| power to suspend a city officer until
the Councils either renstate or elect
his successor. At present the Mayor
has the power to suspend or remove.
In section 10 it is provided that only
| half of Councilmen shall 10 out
of office every two years. BY this sys-
tenn OF hold-Over Councilmen there will
never be an entirely new Council.
Section 16 is so changed as to make
clearer provision for the calling of
meetings of the Councils by the presi-
| dent or vice-president. or five members
of the Common and three of the Select.
Section is is changed so as to give
| the Mayor veto power on all ordinances
or resolutions. 1t is also further pro-
vided that n majority or all the mem
bers elected TO Councils Is necessary to
grant public franchise or dispose OF
city property.
In clause 5. section 10, the city is
given mower to condemn land to pre-
vent the pollution of the water supply.
In clause S, section 10. the use and
control of the streets is given the city,
as we'll as the right to prevent the
numbering of the same.
In clause 1G, of section 10. the City
Treasurer is no longer required to set
apart money received from the cemc-
tcrieS so that the same should he used
unon the cemeteries only The city has
always given additional money for tine
cemeteries and this requirement as to
separate account caused needless
work. the committee saYs.
DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTOR.
Clause 81, Of section 10. gives the
Councils the right to elect q Collector
of Delinquent Taxes, and to give him
the power of distress.
In clause %. of section 10. power is
given the Councils to acquire conduits
and compel wires to be put in the same
and rent to be paid to the city
In section "a the time that a street
becomes a property of the city, with
out acceptance upon its part, is
changed from to 20 years.
Section % is made to conform to the
present law OF the State.
Section &c is amended so that the
Keeper of the Almshouse, Street III
spector and Keepers of the Cemeteries
are to be appointed by the Almshousc
Committee, the Street Sewer and Drain
Board and the Cemetery Committee
respectively by and with the advice
and consent OF the Councils. said Off
GERS to hold Office during the pleasure
of the committee appointing.
The term of Office of the City Attor-
ney is extended from two to four years
to conform with the term Of Office OF
tho Councilmen.
Section 81 Is made 10 provide that the
Police Justice is not to be elected from
the justices of the peace as hereto
fore. but in addition thereto.
AS TO TAXES.
In section IL the power of the Coun
ellis to tax all subjects, whether taxed
by the State or not, is given.
Section SO is amended so as to pro-
vide that one of the members Of the
Board of Water Commissioners shall
be elected by the people the other tw,
by the Councils. the terms of Office OF
The two elected by the Councils not tc
expire ut the same time. The Office
of treasurer of the Water Board il
abolished and the City Treasurer is tC
act as treasurer of the board.
In sections "a, IS and &c provision i.
made for workhouse, and all person.
confined therein can be compelled tc
work within said workhouse or on any
public property, except the streets oil
the city.
Section a is amended so as to ALLOW
Councilmcn from Atlantic City Ware