The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-05
FEWER MEMBERS
in CITY COUNCIL
Pay for Representatives Also
to BE Urged by
Leaders.
SLOW ON CHARTER CHANGES
Committee Named to Suggest
New Form Has Not Held
Meeting Yet.

Although the members have been
seeking from other places information
which will aid them in arriving at
some definite plan, there has been no
regular meeting yet OF the special COM
mittee from Council appointed to in
quire into the advisabllity Of securing
amendments to the city charter, look
Ing to the creation of a municipal
Board of Control. 1T was explained yes
terday that there is no particular rea-
son for hasty action, as nothing in the
way of changes can be ordered until
the Legislature sanctions it. The
main fight. however. will be on the
floor of Council which must first give
It's approval. and the understanding 49,
moreover, that the committee is not OF
one mind concerning the new system.
Wants Fewer Members.
One member of the committee will
advocate a reduction in the number of
Aldermen and Councilmen. together
with the proposition that they be paid
q reasonable salary.
This latter feature will not apply ito
the present Council. He makes the
point that the two branches are too
large, and that with a smaller number
1t would be possible to transact busl-
ness more expeditiously and far more
satisfactorily. If all the present mem
bers should retire from public life at
the expiration of the present term
there would be less opposition to the
deduction scheme: but when 1t Is
known that not few desire re-eec-
ton. there will be serious objection.
In December. 1897, Council defeated
the movement to establish a finance
commission by vote OF 10 to 10. and
1T did not reach the General Assembly.
There is talk now of reviving that
scheme. This commission would have
had powers, over the matter OF appro-
prtations. and it's creation was strong
ly urged by many of the leading bust
ness men, not then or since In politics.
1t seems to be generally admitted.
however, that Richmond's system of
municipal government Is out of date
in many respects. The work Is slow
and tedious. 1t Is not in keeping with
the advanced idea of the age. and the
business assumes such proportions at
times that the calendars are over
crowded and needed improvements and
laws must walt. This. 1t is claimed, Is
not so much the fault OF the members
as it is the fault of the system. i
would not be necessary to secure the
approval of the Legislature for modih
cation of the rules OF the Council. now
enacted into an ordinance, and II these
changes should provide for smaller
committees the pigeonhole would not
be constantly filled WITH pressing reso-
1utions and the like. Time and again
the business of the city halts because
of the lack of a quorum. This is espe
cially true when only routine matters
are to be considered. and In the busy
season member must give majority
of his evenings to committee delibera-
lions at the City Hall.
Charter Itself Wrong.
Though an amendment of the rules
would be beneficial, the real cause of
general complaint is found in the
charter itself and IL the two branches
will get together and agree upon an
improved system 1t Is said that the
would approve 1t without
question The trouble. however. will
be found in the City Hall, and not in
the halls of the Senate The special
is composed OF Messrs. Dab
ney, Pollock, Spence, Cary, Burton,
Whittet and Huber. Some time soon
they will begin active work and some
time later the Council will take n
whack at their report At the moment
1t does not appear that charter changes
will have plain sailing, even when
there is persistent demand for them
from thousands of citizens.