The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-11
POLITICS WERE
NOT ELIMINATED.
lgonffnucd: from First Page.)
difference. as another could be adopted.
tOBJECTp no THE DELAY.


the chairman Of the Finance Committee,
with the exception of the paragraph re-
lating to the management That para-
graph put the management of the llurary
in the hands of the Council.
Mr.. Whittet hoped the resolution would
not be laid on the table, as it had been
pushed around all summer, and this was
the time to- dispose of it. He was backed
UP by Mr.ssMann.
A vote was called for on the motion,
which was defeated by the vote of II to
3, as follows:
To lay on table: Messrs. Allen, Drewry,
Thomason-S.
Not to lay on the table-Messrs. Bahen,
Beck, Donahoe. Drewry. King, Mann.
Mostly, Seay, Whittet, Washer, Wood,
and Turpin-I.
NEW PLAN. PROPOSED.
When the question of the adoption of
the ordinanceacame up Mr.. Thomson
presented an am end1nent, naming Board
Of Trusteesso f.Rihe to be elected directly
by the people. three to hold Office for
two years, three for four years, and
three for six years; the nine trustees
to draw for terms Immediately after the
election. and elections to be held the
fourth Thursday in May in each succeed
ing two years, for the fun term of six
years. In case Of q vacancy the City
Council is to elect a. person to fill the
vacancy. All the trustees are to serve
without compensation.
In speaking to his amendment. hlr.
Thomason said the library vas to be the
propertyGefhthe people, and the trustees
shouldsbe5 FleeJed by the people as their
direct 5proxies.Sa He did not think the
Council9 should stake hold of the library.
and he did not think that fody should
select itself to control such an important
institution as the proposed library. The
Council had no right to perpetuate itself
by choosing itself to control the library.
The people should be given the right to
select their trustees.
A WSQUESTIONS ASKED.
Does the gentleman mean to say that
the Council tissnot capable of transactng
the people skbhsiness?" asked Nj. Mosoy.
"CertainlySnot, replied Mr.. Thomson,
but my Ideals that the people do not
desire us to selectEourselves to conduct
the affairs of the library
''Are we not as capable OF conducting
the affairs of the library as we are to
spend the peoples money through the
Finance Committee asked Mr. Mosby.
That is not fair question, and is en-
! tirely different natter Mr.. Thomason
replied. The people elected us for such
duties. knowing that they We're to be
performed when we were elected. but
they knew nothing about this library
| matter, and it is hut proper and right
that the people themselves shall say who
shall constitute the trustees of their
| library This Isl not our library. that we
should 't;llleI Possession of it. when it is
so easy to- let it go to the people.
! Mr.. Turpin. from the chair, asked If
| the Council didn't appoint School Trus-
| tees Fire Commissioners. Police Commits
| soners. and similar bodies.
Yes" replied Mr.. Thomson. but
! those are duties already fixed for US.
This is something new, and something
| that l feel the people should have a
hand in
CONSIDERED A REFLECTION.
Mr.. Mosby spoke on the adoption of the
resolution. and in, doing so said Mr.
Thomasp1' REMARKS We're the most re-
marka bfet Hes lsU,iever heard
They are a reflection on the honesty.
integrity and intelligence of the MEM
bers of the City Council said Mr.. Mos
by. Ellis remarks indicate that he be-
lieves the members constituting this body
are incapable of conducting the office of
the library. Are we not chosen to trans
act the business OF the people? This IL
brarv matter is their business. and we
would l,e derelict in our duties We're we
to neglect it. I say that the City Council
is the proper body to have control of the
board Of trustees. We are sent here by
the people to do their business, and the
remarks OF the gentleman from Madison
Ward are al reflection upon the Council
Mr. Thomason disclaimed any such in
teutior, but said he simply wished the
people themselves to have a hand in the
matter He asked tN1r. NIosby what Oh
lection he had to placing the election or
the trustees before the people.
II have no special objection" was the
reply: but | regard it as a reflection
upon the City Council.
The question was called aud the amend
ment was lost.
MAJOR ALIENS PLAN.
Major Allen offered an amendment the
same as that presented by Mr.. Caskie in
the Common Council, ana the same as
the original resolution, providing for a
board OF tru5teesIto consist of one Alder
man. two Counciilen and six citizens
This amendment was also lost
Mr. King called for the pending ques-
t,oa but at the request of Major Allen
withdrew his call so that another amend
ment might be offered by that gentleman.
II wish TO offer an amendment proVlu-
ing that no member of the City Councl!
shall be eligible to any position W!thlh
the gift of the trustees OF the library.
either while q member OF the Counci or
within one year after his term OF office
as such member shall have expired SAID
| Major Allen and in addressing his
amendments hensaid:
"What have heard or read about the
| constitution Of the board ofstrustees has
not influenced me in this matter, but
do not think that & body that has a ma
| inrity on the board Of any institution
should be allowed to elect its members 10
nositions within the gift of that body
we are all here associated together, and
are friendly and interested in each
others welfare, and we have the advan-
| tage of those who are outside OF TINS
body in this matter. That is why l offer
the amendment and I hope it will pre-
vail, not witlloany unkind teellns or III
will. against any of my associates
The amendment was lost by the vote
of eleven to three, and the resolution was
called ,,p as it came from the Common
Council and concurred in by the same
vote, Messrs. Allen. Thomson ana
Drewry voting against it
RAPID TRANSIT FRANCHISE.
Mr. King asked that the francsnse OF
o,,;1 r0mDanV be taken