The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-07
Committees From Virgil
niaCities Ask Changes
in Constitution.
GREATER ECONOMY
A N d EFFICIENCY
Proposed Amendments to Be Op.
tional With Each City to
Adopt or Reject as Majority
Of Qualified Voters
May Deter
mine.

-Four resolutions looking to changes
in the form OF city government in
Virginia were adopted yesterday by
a special committee, composed of the
delegates from each city of iEiport-
ance In the State. and Recommended
to a.general conference of delegates
from the various municipal and COM
mercial bodies to meet at the Jefferson
Hotel this morning at 10 o'clock.
The first and most important of the
resolutions has reference to the pos
sible Introduction of the commission
system, and looks to change in the
Constitution OF the State OF Virginia
so as to eliminate from the chapter
on the government OF cities the clauses
making II mandatory to have two
branch City Council and to divide the
city into wards. the two chief obstacles
to the general introduction of the COM
mission.
BY resolution all OF the recommenda-
tions of the conference are to be only
for such changes as may be optional
for the cities themselves to adopt or
reject. the idea expressed by a ma
3ority OF the speakers being that such
provision should be made In the State
laws as will allow each city to adopt
and put into effect that form of gov
ernment approved by majority OF the
qualified voters of the city affected.
Economy and Efficiency.
In all the discussion of changes
thought TO be necessary, there was
no word OF attack on any city. or
on the present official government of
any municipality. But the belief was
general that the bi-cameral council,
with its necessary delays and It's In
tcrminable committees. does not lead
TO economy or efficiency OF adminis-
tration OF the business affairs of the
municipalities, nor does it fix direct
responsibility in q manner that Is
satisfactory TO the taxpayers.
President r. Lee Peters, OF the Com
mon Council. represented this city. the
other Richmond delegates being con-
epicuous by their absence.
The following is the text OF the moro
important resolutions. as amended:
Optional with Each City.
Resolved, That the General AS
sembIy be petitIoned to take such steps
as may be necessary to amend Article
OF the Constitution of the State in
such manner as not to require the
division of cities into wards or the BIZ
cameral plan of government by coun-
ctls. and in such manner as to permit
the adoption of government by a mu-
nicipal commission. together with such
other provisions as may tend 10 the
establishment of local government
in cities; provided that any such
amendment to the Constitution shall
provide that 1t shall be optional with
each city. to be determined by ma
1ority of the qualified voters. whether
or not 1t Will change It's present form
of government
An Administrative Board.
"Resolved. That the next Legislature
be petitioned SO to amend the existing
general laws, or to enact such new
laws as to permit any city OF the first
class (Which shall in such manner as
may be prescribed by law elect to
accept the provisions OF said laW) to
have and establish an administrative
board, TO be elected by the people OF
said city, consisting of not more than
three members; the said board to have
charge OF all the administrative az
fairs Of such city. including especially
all the administrative powers now
exercised by the various standing
council committees and standing boards
or commissions, except the State
Board. subject to such rules and regu-
lations as may be prescribed by the
councils: the said law to provide fur
ther. that at the option OF the several
of the said cities, respectively, may be
member of the said board.
Reduce Number OF Councilmen.
'Resolyed. That the General Assem-
bly, be requested to amend section 1Olo
of the Code SO Us to reduce the
minimum number Of Common Council-
men to six and the minimum number
of Aldermen to three.
Legislative Committee.
Resolved. That this conference ap-
point two committees, each 20 consist
of five members. as follows:
(a) A committee to formulate such
carry into effect the resolutions adopt
ed by this conference looking to
= Legislation by the General Assembly
other than legislation as Is involved
In the amendment of the State Consti-
tuition.
(b) "A committee to formulate such
Constitutional amendments as may be
necessary to carry into effect the re-
solution adopted by this conference
looking to such amendment.
Resolved further That the said
committees, respectfully, shall not be
limited In the scope of their work to
the particular matters specified In the
foregoing resolutions. but may present
such further recommendations as may
be In substantial conformity with the
resolutions adopted by this confer
ence."
Want Direct Responsibility.
The morning was given over largely
to preliminary discussion and general
outlining OF the views of the various
members, which showed more diver
gence than might have been expected
\ Every sneaker. however, was OF the
opinion that the end to be reached
IN effecting any change in city gov.
Eernrnent Is to secure more direct re-
sponsihility, greater efficiency and
greater economy. Nearly every
speaker held to the local option or
\ home rule idea-that any legislation
should be so drawn as to provide that
ait might be accepted or rejected by
5s the, cities them elves, several spealsers
4 ta Iing occa sion to criticize the new
n ntinued on Eaga ;TCRo-c Co lunR A-A