The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-08-30
Council Committees.


Council Committees.
Tbe municipality of Richmond Is soon
ag &, s, 4 ~ mon a new era. The now city
\ government as provided for for IN INC ~ :"
Il constitution will be inaugultia't TED. i me
,,,i,, ha new members OF the Council and
I'm 4hara viii be a new mayor. But this Is
u not all.s Our new admins ton pesi';s
Nth a new inspiration There mas oCeh
! General awakening throughout the scllS
Richmond and there Is "a demand iuil n
s. ersal for a clean, honest aud etllc'ei.ss
Z administration of public affairs. Ih mere
n IS 4 demand for clear watter, cream apF' an
streets and better paved streets, for e, a
rev free bridge across the James lle' river
q Manchester, for more efficient poeliSce
n force. and for betterments generally IN
the public service.
The new Council will have serious US re-
sponsibilities thrust upon IT. for the 5peo-s
e nle Will demand OF that Council al the
betterrnents that we have referred II ~ 70. V
!. But everybody knows that the work 8. OF 9
4 Ia Council Is done and ecessarily zone one
81. grea measure by the several commit u
4ees. Therefore It becomes q matter Oh
supreme Importance that the commit y ICES VS.
Fl he well $compos ed, that they be ma de suP
at men Il who are and have ever been
above reproach and above suspicion, ana ;1''
who can be counted upon to discharge
their duties with honesty, fnithfulness
and EFFICIENCY. The appointment OF these
1,a
OF the Council and the president q the
APoard Of Aldermen, and the people OF
Richmond expect them to make X these
appointments with an eye single to the
true interests Of the city. IN making
these selections their duty Is 10 the city
and not to the individual members Of the
Council. They are acting as representatives
of the people and not as representatives Of
the members of the Council. They have
teen in the Council for long time md
know full well the character and capac-
s lily Of their associates. They know the
men who are best qualified iii all respects
S95 To serve on the committees, and In the
q: duty before them they should use that
knowledge, without fear or favor. for the
n common welfare.
We understand right well the delicacy
md difficulties OF their position; we know
a that great pressure has been brought tc
5.i bear upon them In favor Of this man OF
that; We know how hard 1t Is for a llar
Il Ii their place to deny the request OF ar
S associate. But we know that they are
81 Eonest and conscientious. and sucn a mar
Is Puts duty above everything, The peopl'
E o: Richmond rely upon themto dibcharg,
u their duty faithfully to them IN this mat
III ter of vital Importance. The mere lac
81 that a member ilnportuncs the preslden
to appoint him on an important commit
d Tee is prlma face evidence that he
n rot the proper man TO serve. Position
~ of this character are neither to be soush
& nor declined. They involve a great dea
# of arduous and responsible work AM
members who have only the interest 9
IA the city at heart are noa apt to rush
IA the front and beg the appointing office
Fl 10 put these grave responsibilities an
# irksome duties and fatgulng work upo
Il them Their inclination is to shrink frpl
y the task. When councilman rusnes
and urges his own appointment upon
& committee which will have to make lara
contracts for the city and dispense lars
8 sums of pubic money, he certainly ia!
# himself liable TO the suspicion that
M is looking for graft. and It is the du
Of the president 10 beware OF him.
#@ The Times-Dispatch has no person
rs fayorites In the council, ana 1t is ve
far from our purpose 10 advocate Il
claims OF any individual, but IN peha
sf OF the Taxpayers Of Richmond and I
MI people AT large, We urge President
F8 ters and President rurpin 10 Keep w
M in view the facts which we have +
forth, to put aside all questions OF ~
NJ sonal fayoritism, TO remember that tn
H are acting In a representative capaci
@8sihat the appointing power which II
s Teen bestowed upon them is y sacl
trust. and 10 select us cpmahtteenl
men. whom they know 10 pc IN AL
S epects hest qualified TO protect and
vance tho interests OF Richmond IN j
suing that course they may be sure I
M they will be upheld and supported
the best and truest Of their fellow
axsns. i AZ