The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-07-03
'orNTY GOVERNMENT.

iall Tor term OF tOur years, except that
clerks will be elected for n term of eight
years. There will be no more spring
elections
Treasurers are to be ineligible for more
than two consecutive terms.
Commissioners OF the revenue, who
assess personal property for taxation,
are to be chosen as the General Assembly
may determine, but il elected by the peo-
pie they are to be ineligible for reelection.
The Boards of Supervisors are TO meet
at fixed periods. it being suggested that
such meetings may in some sense offset
any popular disadvantage resulting from
the abolition of the monthly terms of the
county courts
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Existing city and town charters grant
ed by special legislation are TO remain in
force. Hereafter cities and towns are to
he organized under general laws.
City officers are to be elected in the fall,
except mayors and councils. who are TO
be elected in the summer. The ineligibil-
ity provisions of the county government
article apply TO city treasurers and com
missioners OF the revenue.
A city council must have two branches.
but the General Assembly may permit
one branch in cities of less than 10000
inhabitants. Members are to be eligible
while in service and for one year there
after TO any office in the gift of the coun-
ell.
in the way of supervising the conduct OF
the corporate business and suspending
and removing officials No ordinance or
resolution can become operative without
the mayors approval, and his vote can
be disregarded only by a recorded vote
of two-thirds of the members elected to
each branch of the council He can dis
approve any item of an appropriation
bill.
Rights in the water front, wharves,
landings, streets, gas, water and electric
works, etc cannot be sold except under
an ordinace or resolution passed by n
recorded vote of three-fourths of the
members of the council. No franchise can
be granted without previous advertise
ment and public bids, and then only for
period OF 30 years. and the grant may
provide for the ultimate ownership of
the enterprise by the corporation.
Indebtedness is limited to Is per cent.
of the assessed valuation OF the real es-
tate, except where existing charters au-
thorize larger percentage.
EDUCATION.
The State Board of Education now
consists of the Governor, Attorney Gen.
eral and Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion. There are TO be added three educa-
tors chosen from the educational institu-
tions of the State by the Senate from a
list of eligibles furnished by the boards of
those institutions. and there are also to
be added one city and one county super
intendent OF schools.
The Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton is to be elected by the people, and
his duties are to be prescribed by the
State board
The powers of the State board are en-
larged, authority being given to appoint
superintendent for districts and divisions
instead of necessarily for counties and
cities and to remove the same
The establishments of high schools is en-
couraged by authorizing the levy of a
special tax in any district for that pur.
pose.
The manner of selecting school trustees
is relegated to the General Assembly,
with the apparent expectation that pro-
vision will be made for their election by
the people.
AGRICULTURE AND IMMIGRATION.
1t is provided that the people shall elect
commissioned for this department, who
shall hold Office for a term of four years
The board OF Agriculture and Immigra-
tion is to be composed of practical
farmer appointed by the Governor from
each Congressional district for term ol
four years and the president OF the vir-
ginia Poly technic Institute. The board
is to have power to elect and remove it,
officers and establish subordinate branch
es OF the department
CORPORATIONS.
This articleisentirely new. Provision,
are made for granting charters undel
general and not by special laws. Tn,
General Assembly viii say what sort O
eornorate nrivilc0ca nav 10 <,,.&.;a !.