The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-05-26
THURSDAY, MAY %, 1904
A Timely Ordinance.

u l., oranonce was recently introduced
i, tho board of Aldermen by Mr., W. H.
Zimmerman, which provides
nrhat from and after the date o. .no
,,,rova, ne this ordinance by the Nlayoi,
a.. .pp ,or,troct awarded by any committee
* tSn CITY Council. involving an amount
rcaednr the sum of $4,000 shall DC
,,nairq an the city OF Richmond uhtii !.
l,,as heen approved BY the City Councl.
Tha ordinance was referred 10 INC
,r-,,nm,.teo on Ordinances, Charter anu
reform, considered by that committee
innd ordered to be returned to the Boaro
II az Aldermen with the Recommendation
+hat II be adopted after having neeh
amended by striking out the figures
sinoeo and inserting in lieu Thereon lhe
figures 5000. 1t is wise and timely ana
n ought by all means to be adopted
KS and become an established rule IN our
municipal government. The only op1ec-
4,nn that can BIO raised to 1t Is that u
VIII delay legislation but delay which
protects the interests of the taX-phSe's
Is never harmful, and Is to be encouraged
Some Of tho committees of our legisia-
tive body disburse large sums or money
during the year. and arc often called
!,,non TO mako contracts of great impor-
lance to the entire community. IN al
such eases the committee should 1nHestl-
ratc and come to q conclusion and make
recommendation. but final actions
should be reserved for the Council and
Board Of Aldermen.
The ordinance is In the interest of
honesty and efficiency, and VIII nave
the tendency to discourage latter-day
lobbying. 1t was said in our hearing re-
Gently by prominent city official that
Whenever there was an important con
tract to be givan out by any COMMITTEES
the lobbyists were sure to be seen
around the meeting place, and that thu
lobbyists seen on one such occasion were
tho lobbyists seen on all such occasions.
The lobbyists are there for a purpose,
and 1t Is notSto be presumed that that
purpose is the public good. 1t is very
much easier for them to deal with The
few members OF the committee than 1t
is to deal with the entire membership OF
the Council and Board of Aldermen.
II there be any trickery in awarding a
contract, it may be covered UP in COM
mittee, but it is apt 20 come to light when
II runs the gauntlet of the Council and
Board of Aldermen. II there be any
crook In committee in awarding con-
tract the innocent as we'll as the guilty
may be under suspicion. But when the
transaction Is investigated by the Coun-
Gil and the Board of Adermcn when
all the lights arc turned on. the guilty
will be exposed dhd the .4nnocent will BIO
lvindicated.
We are always for the ounce Of pre-
ivent!on rather than for the pound OF
cure. We believe. as our readers we'll
know, in the inspection system. We be-
lieVe IN 1t because the inspection system
tends to make officials careful and to
prevent them from being either criminal
or negligent. 1t will be In the interest
of honest government for the Council and
Board of Aldermen to pass upon all con.
tracts made by any committee, to lnves-
tigate and see how the money is ex-
pended
MI Zimmermann's ordinance won,d
nave saved this city much money and
some scandal If 1t had been adopted years
ago. 1t should be adopted at tho first
opportunity.
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