The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-21
COUNCIL TO CHECK
SO-CALLED GRAFT
-
An Ordinance to Prohibit
Members From Accept
ing Subcontracts.
r -
BEING DRAWN
BY POLLARD
Evasion of Spirit OF Law to Be
Stopped by Another Method.
Want Court to Pass on City
Attorneys Opinion-Reed
May Lose Seat
on Board.

Satisfied that the Virginia law was
struction placed upon it by the City
Attorney, that officer was requested
yesterday by member of the Common
Council to prepare an ordinance which
shall prohibit any member of either
branch from accepting a contract or
subcoHtract from the city government.
Not stopping there. 1t will be so framed
that IL will include every man In any
way connected with the municipality
taking In members of committees who
are not in the city's Legislative depart
ment.
In view OF the revelations. and with
the strong demand from the citizens
of Richmond for the elimination of a
system regarded by many as an eva
sion of the spirit OF the law, the Coun-
ell can hardly put itself on record
without unanimously voting for the
adoption OF an ordinance OF that char
acter
Goes to Next Meeting.
The graft system, so called. can be
w:eeded out by the passage of this law
BY Council. City Attorney Pollard
will prepare 1t In accordance with the
wishes OF Councilman, and 1t will be
formally presented at the next regular
meeting. Meanwhile, the advocates OF
clean government still have In mind
the BILL which will go to the General
Assembly in January, amending the
old law so that Ii will apply to all
subcontractors. This ordinance is
looked upon az the best solution. Some
wonder has been expressed that 1t lad
not been PASSED long ago. II shall GER
tainly offer It," said the member, land
1 will have it drawn by the City At
torney so that 1t Will be perfectly clear
this time.
In the discussion of the section of
the Virginia Code dealing with muni-
cipal contracts, the opinion came from
high quarters yesterday that II an
Alderman should be caught in the
act of accepting a contract from the
city he could not be tried by the court
!. The matter would be Investigated in
the Council. and the only punishment
which could be inflicted on the Alder
man would be refusal to pay him for
the work so performed. Whether or
not this is the law must be judicially
explained, and in this connection there
is an urgent plea to have the courts
pass upon the merits of City Attorney
Pollard's ruling. This method would
make clear the points In dispute.
Reed May Lose His Seat.
Long ago The Times Dispatch callet
attention to the fact that Police Com
missioner w 7. Reed. who Represented
Clay Ward. was living in Lee Ward
rhe same statement was made in con
nectoD with Commissioner Thoma
wbittet. representative of Monro
Ward. who resided in Lee. Mr.. Whit
tet subsequently resigned. Mr.. Reed
however, representing Clay. resides i
the same block in Lee with Commis
sioner l.anderkin. It was announce
yesterday by member Of the Comma
Council that at the next meeting h
would introduce a resolution reportin
this irregularity, and asking for
legal ruling as to whether or not Nj
Reed should be removed from tn
hoard. There was difference of opin
ion as to who should take hold OF thi
situation, and as doubt exists 1T wi
be put squarely before the Council