Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-01-08
Conference Of Virginia Cities
Asks for Self Government.
WANTS COUNCILS REDUCED
Favor Constitutional Amendment So
AS Not to Require Division Of Cit
Council System.
Especial to Daily Prcss.)

tcpecial 10 Daily IrcsS.l
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. 7.-Deciar-
ing empahtically for the principles OF
the conference OF cities of Virginia
! today unanimously adopted resolu
ton drawn up by a special commit
tee requesting the State legislature
to provide for such change in the
constitution of che State as viii not
require the division of cities into
wards nor the continuation of the two
| council system, but will permit any
J city in which the qualified voters so
elect to determine on the form of
government to be adopted.
Pending the slow process of con-
1 stitutional amendment, which. in any
case. could not become effective for
several years, the conference recon-
mended TO the legislature. in accord
ance with the report of It's commit
tee on resolution, proposed change
in the laws governing cities, which
! VIII permit of the establishment OF
administrative boards. Where any
! such heard is established it will as
sumo administrative funtions now in
the hands of various council com
mistees, but the bi-cameral council
win be continued with its deliberative
ana legislative functions.
The adoption Of such a law is stat
ed to he in the province of the State
legislature without constitutional
amendment.
Reduction Of councilnen.
fsr.r.
OF the minimum number Of council
men was amended so as to provide
for towns having but one branch TO
the council. so as to read as follows:
9 Resolved that the general as
sembly be requested &c amend the
laws so as to reduce the minimum
number Of common ccuncilmen to
six and the minimum number or
aldermen to three, in cities OF the
: FIRST class: and the minimum number
; Of common councilmen to three in
cities of the second class"
Under the plan adopted these COM
mittees are to draw UP proposed con-
J stitutionaI changes and acts OF as
sembly for submission TO the legis-
lature carrying out the principles laid
d down in the resolutions adopted.
The matter will he in the hands Of
, a steering committee. made up az not
mere than FIVE from eacd city taking
part. which COMMITTEES viii nave
charge OF presenting the proposed
bin 20 the legislature and pressing
their passage and viii also endeavor
to enlist the interest OF the mem
hers from their cities and to sound
the sentiment OF the commercial
! organizations and councils of the var
i0us municipalities
During he midday recess each
delegation held a separate meeting
INA AZ the afternoon session the
steering committee was constituted
Two resolutions affixed by mayor
Reed Of Portsmouth. were adopted.
one calling for legislative stasute re-
ousrine A system Of accounting IN VIZ
rinia cities and fer the annual audit
ing Of the accounts Of every city IN
Virginia
OHccrs elected
Tho frxt busincss q the general
conference on cCnrening was inc
forming 81 = permanent organization
Nv the election 81 Ian W. Craddock'
~ fvn~hburr. - Chairman. and X
y Stood OF Norfolk. - secre,aFs'
The following vicr-chairman were
/ named. Robert y. runsiai. OF Nor-
.oit. loci ". csIichin. Of koanoke :
szaxor n Reed. ~ Portsmouth
.nd President y. ter Peters. 81 ne
common council u Richmond.