The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-19
Old Annex League Dis
bands to Start Fight
for New System.
MAY PUT TICKET
IN JUNE ELECTION
Resolution Declares That If suf-
ficient Number of Voters Stay
Out of Primary. Independ
cnt Democrats Will
Probably Enter
Race.

By unanimous vote, the Clay Ward
Annex League last night decided 10
dissolve and form an association, city
vide In It's scope. for the purpose OF
obtaining for Richmond the commits
sion form OF government at the earli-
est possible time. While no definite
action was taken, a committee consist
ing Of e. r. Hatcher. r. l.. Ryan, J.
L. oKeefe, NJ II. Omohundro and j. w.
Hancock was appointed to take up
the question OF organizing the new as
sociation. The report of a name ana
bylaws viii be made to the league a,
meeting TO be called soon after the
primary by Chairman r. a. Miller. Az
that time the old ward league will for
malIy go out OF existence and the
work of the new city organization viii
begin in earnest.
"Not Satisfied. stay Out"
Meanwhile the league passed reso-
luton asking that all citizens not
satisfied with the present form of
government and preferring the com
mission plan, make it known 10 Chair
man Miller. and II the vote at the
coming primary be small enough TO
offer a chance OF victory, an inde-
pendent Democratic ticket. with the
commission form of government as its
platform, would be nominated in
nlnss-meeting.
In regard 10 whether or not the
members should go into the primary.
no official action was taken, but II
was apparent that but few of those
present cared to do SO, believing that
the time was now ripe to take UP
the commission plan and push 1t
through There was a strong senti-
ment before the plan of organizing
the now association was proposed, TO
nominate such ticket for Clay Ward.
The more conservative, however.
thought IT best 10 enlist the entire
city In the movement. The commits
tee was empowered to gather data
concerning the commission form and
10 have literature prepared for dis
tributon before the primary and at
the polls. Tie pamphlets Will contain
simply facts concerning the commis-
sion plan and its advantages. There
VIII hardly be any direct appeal to
the voters 10 keep away from the
polls the committee feeling that the
contrast presented by figures from
cities that have adopted the new form,
with the present government of Rich
mond will be sufficient incentive TO
cause them to consider the matter
seriously. as one of the members said
last night, nearly every one has his
friends among the candidates but the
welfare of the city should be para
mount with every patriotic citizen
Independent Question.
Though Very little has been said
on the subject, this Is no new move
on the part OF the Clay Ward Annex
League; in fact, n committee, with
j. l.. O'Keefe as chairman. has been
working for some weeks. and has al.
ready corresponded with many cities
as to tho operation of the plan, be-
sides communicating with many OF the
most influential business men in the
city. asking their opinions. In making
the opening speech last night, Mr..
had been replied to- and that all the
answers We're favorable.
Following is draft of the letter:
Several of us citizens of Clay Ward
are considering whether we should
nominate an entirely sepnrnte and In
dependent ticket for Board of Alder
men an,; Common Council Ms a protest
against the present inefficient and In
competent system of city government.
Most OF the gentlemen Offering In the
primary are already members Of the
Council, under which we have had the
fume and other acts, cvidencinE gross
acknowledgement of the clty's funds, and
n vote for them means your approval
OF these acts.
At present VIC hive formed no dcfI-
4
extent upon the replies received to the
Inquiries we nre now sending out.
You have been mentioned ns possess-
ing the necessary qualifications TO
we write to ask II you nre In sym
pathy with the move outlined above. and
If you Will allow us to use your name
on our ticket, II we should finally de-
eide to make the move; or, If you your
self cannot net, can you not SugEes'
n hrst-class man for this responsible
positiOn:
tion, and not II political one, hence
we will not enter the primary or In any
way become identified with any politi.
cal party.
Our platform will be quite simple
viz, "a commission government for
Richmond ns quickly as possible"
Az the time for action Is rapidly
appronching, permit me TO ask You
FOR prompt reply to this communi.
No Politicians There.
Whether they did not know of the
meeting or thought that their time
might be better spent somewhere else
Is NOT known. but it was the subject of
some comment that in the large gath
ering that filled most of the chairs in
Monroe Hall there was not single
candidate or politician.
In calling the meeting to order Mr..
Miller briefly Went over the purposes
tor which ii was originally organized
laying particular stress upon the fact
tnat its membership consisted OF prop.
erty owners and business men, who
consistently refrained from politics
except In SO far as they worked for the
good of the city.
Mr., O'Kcefe explained what had been
done by the committee and read the
letter. Personally he was In favor OF
nominating a ticket for the ward. hut
said that he had been advised by one
of tho most farsighted business mon
to defer action until after the primary
aud then make the move city wide
about the line of action subsequently
adopted hy the league,
Mr., Ryan rather doubted the wisdom