The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-15

!: RICHMOND, VA, fri
the vote being % to 10. Thsn came
an avalanche OF changes, Mon who
had stood out for the IIirschbers SUBJ
stitute wanting board with control
OF the Fire and Police Departments
coming In. 30 that the official vote was
announced for concurrence In tho
amendments as being 80 to 10.
Tried to block Il.
Mr.: Hirschberg then asked q sus-
pension OF the rules to put Joint
resolution on Its passage, sending to
the clerks desk prepared resolution
Amending the plum just adopted by
including the Fire, Police and
Health Departments Before the vote
on suspension of the rules could BIO
taken. Mr. Pollock made the point OF
order that the Council could not amend
u paper not as yet the law OF the
city, the Mayor not yet having signed
the Joint resolution.
President Peters ruled the point we'll
taken. and the Council adjourned to
crowd around Messrs. Pollock, Lynch
and Reade. of the special committee,
to congratulate them on the triumphant
conclusion of long fight. every purt
Of the report of the special committee
having been adopted just as presented.
Approved by Mayor.
Mayor Richardson was an interest,"
cd listener during tho debate. He
stated after adjournment that tho uc-
ton met his hearty approval. calling
attention to the fact that in his ilrst
message to the Council, nearly three
years ago, lie had recommended that
steps be taken to provide for an adj
ministrative board to relieve the Coun-
Gil of the burden Of directing certain
details of the clty's business.
provided, of course, there are no
technical OF legal defects. Shall sign
the resolution az soon as 1t Is presented
to ma by the City Clerk" he said. Il
heartily approve of what Is proposed,
and SO stated TO mass-mceu ting OF
the members of the Business Mems Club
some weeks ngo."
Mere Formally Now.
II Is stated by those familiar with
procedure that the General Assembly
has in recent years made II matter
OF general policy to grant charter
requested by the Councils
OF cities. where not contrary TO the
Constitution. The papers viii be pre-
pared by the City Attorney at once and
offered In each house immediately on
the converting of the General Assembly
early in January. State Senator L. z.
Folkes and Delegate John S. HARDWOOD
arc the Richmond members of the Com
mittee on Counties, Cities and Towns
of the respective branches. and will be
In charge of the interests of this city.
They are both in full sympathy With
the movement and will make every cf-
fort to secure an early consideration
OF the matter by the Legislature and
Its approval by the Governor early In
the session.
Get Smaller Council.
Tho reforms In government now
adopted therefore propose that In the
general election to be held OH the see
ond Tuesday OF next June, and in the
primary preceding that election, the
new ward lines Will apply. and there will
be elected at that time twenty instead
of forty members of tho Common Coun-
ell. The holdoyer members of the
Board of Aldermen serve in all warus
save Clay, where there will be one va
cnncy, for which President Whittet,
whose term expires will be a cundi-
date.
The new Council takes office on Sep
tem6er l next. AT that time there will
be but twenty members OF the Com
mon Council, and because of tho hold
over feature of the upper branch, four
teen members of the Board OF Alder
mon. From the succeeding election
there Will be but twelve members Of
the board of Aldermen.
Tho first administrative board will
be elected in the general election on
the first Thursday In November next,
and will take otfice on the first day
of January, 1913. so that the Council
VIII have a year In which to prepare
TO turn over the business OF the various
departments.
Pay Your Poll Tax.
Citizens paying their poll taxes at
any time between now and May
next. VIII be qualified to vote in tho
election. and in the primary
at which the flvo men for tho first adj
m'nistrative board will be elected. and
with 10000 voters already qualified
and the interest taken In the city gov
eminent by the various commercial
organizations as evInced in the fight
for better form OF government, It is
that practically the full
voting strength OF the city will he
enlistened in the first campaign. AL
ready the Chamber OF Commerce is
laying plans to get as many men as
possible registered and qualified.
Many Candidates Out.
Already a large number of men are
tentative candidates. From the names
mentioned 1t Is asserted by Councilmen
that many persons have utterly mis-
conceived the nature OF tho duties of
this bo-rd. and the character Of mon
requ ed to perform such services 1t
is believed that many other candidates
are feeling their way among their
friends. and that as the months go by,
many of those now mentioned will
drop It. Stress Will be laid in the
campaign on the business ability need
ed to measure up to the position. and
the advocates Of the plan express the
greatest confidence that the people of
Richmond will see the wisdom of
bringing forward 1--WE OF the best men
available to form the first board,
which Will have the duty OF reorgan-
izing many of the cIty's activities, and