Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-12

gent views were rejected In the meeting
OK the Join; Committee on Counties. Cities
and Towns. held Tucsday- The commit
tee after a thorough discussion OF the
subject. stood 10 10 !, In faror OF election
OF commissioners by the popular vote. ana
yesterday the House section OF the COM
.r!;,ee submitted to It's body majority
report. embracing that recommenoass o!a--
No minority report was submitted. but II
is understood ti.s, the whole question OF
appointment or election viii no" De
fought out on the floors OF the two
houses. and 1. is predicted that the fight
Mil be pretty lively one
The appointive system would open
the way to q commissioner se'S
ing successive terms. and the DIS
patch cannot but recognize that the
advocates of that system are entitled 70
respectful hearing. There IS 10 our mind
force in their argument that It takes
commissioner some time 10 acquire the
Information essential to the efficient DIS
charge Of his duties. and therefore the
right Of immediate succession would tenc
to ensure Us on the whole better COM
,,,fsetoners. In fact when the !neiisibility
reoviso was first mooted ii the ccnTeEl-
ton re .foresaw that II would afford
ground for that argument and aatago-
-ized it. Moreover. We commended that the
p.oviso was repugnant TO the Democratic
doctrine Of trusting the people and an
v.r,s, Ia
ereien,y We did not see then and do
not see now WIN If the people 50 desire
any officer should not be permitted TO
SUCCEED himself go long as !1s remains
honest. s5il.gert. faithful, and efficient.
But notwithstanding the inhibiting pro-
.iso that xiii obtain in case OF popular
election. The weight OF argument is tre-
n1endously On tie side OF that method
Whsreye- zhs appointing authority might
be placed it would mean the conferring
a. patronage contrary 10 the genius OF
our institutions Not 80 trust the people
IN the matter would BE 70 stfiae at
great underlying principle OF ol- form Of
government, which is ,i:at the people are
cara BE Of managing their esn affairs
and the safeguarding OF that principle
should be the first consideration. Certain
Il TIE substance of Democracy should not
BE set aside for shadows Of uncertainty
cas-: by speculation. and conditions sssun,-
ed. but yet improved. II percfance. the
theory Of the supporters Of appointing
commissioners should te sustained. there
IS q remedy for tfle ills they foresee. Il
is i'll the hands Of the people, and they
may be trusted TO apply it. There is
such q thing as amending the Coastitu-
tion So we hope and believe that the
end will he that the General assembly
viii see the wisdom and the duty OF vim
dicatfng tha great principle involved and
decide TO 'trtls. the people We hope and
believe The Legislature will meet tia
responsibility the Constitutional ConreIl-
ton threw upon II In the only way that
would rot be obnoxious % the spirit OF
true Democracy. and that is by permit
ting the people TO exercise their sover-
eighty in this matter. Along that way
Hes ultimately tie working out OF the
problem in the highest interest of the
masses and Of Tie Commonwealth, and
the harmonizing Of public policy "ittl
cardinal Democratic doctrine.