The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-19
BENNETT TO ASK
FOR PARK MUSIC
Thinks Council Should Give
Money Needed BY spc-
cial Act.
LOOKING FoR LoopHoLE
Question May &c Brought Up
Despite It's Defeat by
Board.
LOOKING FOR LooPHoLE

X some parliamentary loophole can
be found, Alderman Ecnnett proposcs
at the next meeting of tho Board Of
Aldermen to max a Eight for an an.
propriation for music in the parks. Mir
bcnnctt said yesterday that while he
appreciated the action of those citi-
zens who had offered to subscribe 10
should permit such an undertaking by
public substitution. as he considers It
TO be tho duty of tho city.
DO not blame the Finance Com
ia'tiee for not including the music in
the budget said MIR. Bennett. II rca-
iizc that tho demands for sirccts and
schools arc heavy, and that the budget
should be limited strictly to such an
nual expenditures as are nccessary for
the maintenance OF tho ~overnncn
But | should like to offer the music In
the parks ordinance rs 4 separate re-
solution. ap~propri.tinE $1,000, and Lei
II be referred TO the Finance Commit,
tco and considered on it's merits aftor
the budget proper is out of tic way. |
am not tho advocate Of any band. and
90 not offer this In tho interests Of
any PARTICULAR musical organization,
but because I believe the people WHO
remain in the city through tho sum.
mer want the concerts, and because j
peileTo 1t 4 benefit to get people to so
10 the parks in hot summer lights"
May Not &c IN order.
MI Bennett said he had not studicd
the question closely anu was no. ccr.
tain whcihcr in-vicw Of tho action ar
the BOARD in refusing to rcconsidor
az rs last meeting, tho item could he
considered under tho rules dur
ing tho life Of this Council.
Opinion in the Council is mach di-
N!id"d on the subject. some members
holding that tho moral effect OF indis-
crinlinato gatherings is undesirahle.
while the right OF tho Council TO max,
such an appropriation has been Snri.
"usly questioned. III fact, tho legality
Of many concentrations Inadc -cccntly
Tor other than Strictly governmental
purposes is held to be doubtful, ana
several members have announced thcl,
opposition 10 any such appropriations
IN tho future. Some appropriations
have been made by Unanimous con.
sent which all lIave realized would
be declared illegal by any court we're
my citizen and taxpayer 10 raise the
question:. AS far back rs 1889 @fo.n1cr
City Attorney Charles V. Meredith
gave an opinion 10 the effect that I'm
der the charter the Council had no au-
thority TO approprinte money for tue
purpose Of celebrating the laying or
the cornerstone of the monument 10
General Robert Z Lee.
Legality of Representatives..
In an opinion rendered in 1908. C'ity
Attorney Pollard passed on the uucg.
ton OF whether tho city could maka
approximations OF gas. water or money
for tho benefit of any institution not
and not owned by the city, in which
he said:
"f am OF the opinion that the City
Council cannot legally make appro-
priations of money, gas or water to, or
for the benefit OF. any institution not
under control in whole or in part.
or owned by the city. except that The
city may make appropriations to non.
scctarian schools Of manual, industrial
or technical training 4 special act
OF the Legislature was necessary 10
authorize the city Of Richmond to
subscribe 100000 to tho Battle Abbey
fund in order to SECURE the location
OF that building in Richmond.
IN 1905 City Attorney Pollard ruled
that the city could not legally appro-
pirate $500 per annum 10 the support
OF the educational department. Of the
Young Mems Christian Association,
but in 1907 Mr.. Pollard ruled that the
city could appropriate money 10 the