The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-23
MAYOR TAYLOR WAS
Severely CRITICISED.

Severely Criticised.
(Continued from First Page.)
remarks by saying that Mayor TAYLOR
was man Of undoubted integrity, VINO
stood well in the community, and USED
his best efforts to conduct his office prop
erly.
In replying to Mr.. Pollock's accusation
that tho committee had exceeded It's au-
thority. Mr.. Crenshaw said he felt It the
duty of every member OF the Counc1l 70
call specific attention to any lnaoll1ty Ut
incompetency In office.
1.-The report does not begin to convey 70
YOU gentlemen" said Mr.. Crenshaw. the
seriousness Of the ignorance displayed oy
the Mayor. The interview lets him OH
lightly. It Is not half SO bad as it really
was.
Captain Hall said she was glad that no
outsider had been present at the time OF
the interview, or he would have been
compelled to hang his head IN shame.
He was never more surprised IN ms NE
than he had been at the ignorance OF the
Mayor.
II have known the man twenty years"
said he. but really I never knew MIN
until the other day.
CHARITY TOO COSTLY.
Mr. Pollock took a hand in the gume
once more urging that the report be utade
more mild. He stated that i tended 10
sl,cw that Mayor Taylor was an lgrera-
mus adding that this official did his dutv
as he saw it and to the best Of his aoli'1Y
Nh Bottom seemed to endorse treatec
portion Of the report, but was inclined to
lie little charitable with the Mayor,
swhereupon Mr.. Crenshaw said he, TOO,
believed in charity, but not to the extent
of allowing incompetency to exist IN me
CITY government, especially when 1t cost
s.. 900 or more a year
Mr. Crenshaw said inability was an inn
pcachable charge, after which Mr.. Spence
called for the question and moved that
the report Of the subcommittee be adopt
cd as recommended. Before this question
was put Mr.. Pollock moved as subStl-
tuto for the whole that the matter be
recommitted. the committee having OK
ceeded it's authority. with instructions
that it report in detail upon the office of
the Mayor. leaving the personal question
out entirely.
This was voted down, and then the
report was put. It was carried by vote
Of seven to two.
THE REPORT.
The subcommittee summed up the find
ing os its report as follows:
After a 1OIS luLt1Fle" "Ali \|iS
Mayor him, we have come, to the con-
clusion that the duties of his office. as
he understands l4.ems, are very meagre-
principally to answer the few letters re-
ceiyed each day: that he does not feel
called on to examine the different city
officers and to keep himself thoroughly
in touch with them. and to be in posi-
ton to make recommendations and sug-
gestions. His positive refusal to make
x3-,%So D. ~ 70
gest one thing that; would be useful to
your committee in carrying out this reso-
luton We can only account for it OH the
ground Of his failure to realize or >ap-
preciate the duties and requirements or
his position. While under the charter
the salary of the Mayor cannot be re-
duced during his term of office, and we,
therefore, cannot recommend reduction
now, we feel sure the salary paid the
Mayor at this time is vastly more than
the benefit accruing thrfrom. We think,
though, that when the duties OF the Of
flee shall have been properly conducted,
according to the charter and ordinances
of the city. then the salary Of the Of
flee should be increased. I'VE. therefore,
recommend:
/. That the request of the MaSor LOT
a special accountant DO not granted, but
that the city accountant be instructed
to provide the Mayor from time to time.
upon his written request, such special
information. within the scope OF his
dutiesaas may be desired.
.. That the Mayor be required to keep
copies Of all of his official correspond
encc. z~5 .s.Sa
3. That the Mayor be required to COM
ply with the provisions of the charter
in regard to furnishing the Councn with
a general statement Of the condition OF
the city government finances and I'M
provenlents. !.f3:-;.. fss5lfz.sz a.
We return herewith a synopsis or the
interview with His Honor. the Mayor.
w, *. CRENsfIAW,
Charm of subcommittee.
-JNO. B. MINOR.
CUNNINGHAM lIALL1
-, - w. II. ADAMS.
SAM'L II. COTTRELL.
Interview With the Mayof.
Following is the report OF the inter-
view with the Mayor. which was read
Nby Mr.. Crenshaw.
subcommittee Of Committee on eOrdl-
nances, Charter and Reform ON General
CITY Offices, with; Mayor Richard NJ:
Taylor.
Members OF committee present--Messrs
Crenshaw, Hall and Minor. Time LEO
P. NJ. November Is, 1902 Place. Mayor
Office City Hall,
The Mayor was informed that the COM
mitteo was acting for the whole commit
tee under authority Of resolution OF
the City Council. and that the objects OF
the interview was to obtain a synopsis
of the duties Of the position Of the Mayor
The MAYOR was asked to state IN
general way. the duties Of his position:
He replied: ''I an, ready to answer any
question that you have to ask me-
6. Have you anything to say as to the
salary of your position?
A. There is not a. city in the Unite1
States half the size of Richmond Wh'ch
does not provide a private secretary TOT