The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-14
HAS STIRRED UP
A HORNETS NEST
Criticism of City Affairs
Arouses the Officials.
WHAT IS MOST NEEDED
Greater Interest by Representative
Men in Public Matters.
COUNCIL STANDS ON ITS RECORD
President Ebel Declares That the
Body Is Proud Of What Has Been
Accofnpiisi,cd-Vicw from
Prominent Men rs to
What Should
Be Done.
COUNCIL STANDS ON ITS RECORD

ing and general airing of opinions at
the Chamber of Commerce Tuesday night
was 10 stir up a hornets nest, so far as
the affairs of the city are concerned.
The declaration of Mr.. John c. Easley
that the city was practically bankrupt,
authorities were guilty of wasting money
and egreglous folly" furnished the sub
ject for many a street corner and Office
debate.
The city officials deny the charges and
point with pride to the fact that for the
past two years there has been a surplus
and that despite The fact that more eXten-
sive improvements have been made from
year to year, this surplus shows an in
crease rather than a decrease This, the
authorities declare. attests their good
management and judicious expenditures
The City Council is willing to stand
by its record declared Mr.. Fred c. Ebel.
president of the lower branch OF the City
Council.
City officials and many others declare
should be. the people themselves are 20
blame. Major Otway S. Allen, chairman
Of the Committee on Retrenchment and
Reform, says so far as he can see there
has been no 'log-rolling.' He joins AIR.
James CsslSie. chairman Of the Commit
Tee on Finance, in his appea! to the rep
resentative men OF the city to manifest a
greater interest in municipal affairs. Both
counsel system in the making and in the
use OF appropriations.
On the other side one hears the sugges-
ton that the time has arrived for the
Inauguration of a reform movement and
The reorganization of the Good Govern
ment League. the organization which
proved such 4 factor in the city's life a
few years since
One hears rumors of all kinds, but one
thing agreed upon is that some good must
result from the vigorous discussion of two
nights ago.
NEED FOR GREATER INTEREST.
Mr.. James Casllie was asked last night
as to the condition of the cty's affairs
and how the charges brought stood Said
he:
What / would like to impress particu-
larry on The minds of the people IS this:
If the citizens OF Richmond, the proper
1y-holGers, the men OF influence and OF
education, the business men and the pro-
feSSional men of the city would take 4
more active part in the Municipal Govern
ment, then the city would show Stlil
gre:Ier Improvement and betterment in
her financial condition.
Go back six years and see what has
been accomplished in that short time.
The floating debt of the city has been
wiped out; her sewers have been built
and extended, but not by a bond issue, as
was the case in years before, but out of
the revenues OF the city for the current
year; instead of u deficit, the treasury
has shown a balance TO the city'S credit,
and at the end of two consecutive years
there has been a surplus TO begin the
new year with. Yes, l attribute this to
interest that was manifested in the city S
affairs by representative business and
professional men of the city. Six years
ago those interested in good SoR3rnment
gained control of the city'S affairs and
planned SO that the city would live within
her revenues. But with this improved
condition of affairs interest has been al
lowed to wane. Let the representative
men of the city take an active part in the
management OF the citys affairs and
greater progress VIII result.
No, l do not care to discuss the eX-
listing conditions III Lee District. AS a
member of the Finance Committee 1 am
now at work on an appropriation Tor
that section, and at the proper time my
views will be known. 1 have opposed the
ward appropriation method, and think
where improvements are most needed
there they should be made But, as l
have said, what viii result in the great
est good TO the city is the taking of a
greater and more active interest in
municipal affairs by the representative
citizens of the city
NO LOG ROLLING
Mistakes may have Qsen made, brt
so far as l can see there has been no
log-rolIng,' by the City Council, de-
clared Major Otway S. Alien, chairman Il
OF the Committee on Retrenchment and
Reform 1T is true that greater improve
,nents might haze been made in the out
living districts of the city, but the fault is
primarily with the people, and the Sodil-
ell should not be held responsible Tor an.
The truth of the matter is that the people
do not take enough active interest ~
their city's affairs. Captain Coke en-
7ilss!zed this fact. when he addressed
the meeting at 1ils Chamber, of Commerce
Tuesday night. He also stated that when
the condition of affairs was brought to
immediate attention of the Council, he
had not found one man who had not eS-
pressed a willingness To aid in developing
the section and Improving II.
Yet these improvements should be
made Systematically. II permanent good
Is TO result a system must be followed.
Where improvements are needed most,
1inere should fhe most money oe expended
A Representative OF q ward IN the iegis-
lattye body of a municipality is not there
primarily to represent his Own particular
ward or district. but he is there to act for
The bes, interests of the municipality.
THE ward appropriation method IS not
the proper way" Mr. Allen continued.
and I am and have been opposed 10 it.
System should be always followed ana I'M
pYoreme.lts made with some definite OBJ
jcct in view. / VIII say that 1t is my
belief that had system prevailed in the
making of street improvements during the
last 70 years. Richmond to-day would have
streets unsurpassed. But system was
lacking and paving was laid on this street
and cn that. only to be torn UP and re.aid.