The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-26

suggested board of administration.
Should the number of the members
of each branch of the City Council be
considerably reduced as they should
be. the theory OF the short ballot
would have fun play SO far as it ap-
plies to the City Council
Nor do I think that the theory
would be materially affected in the
election of the members of board
OF administration. 1t is true that
there are certain city officers which
the Constitution requires shall be
elected by the people. But they are
not many in number And the char
acter Of their duties are such that
their election would not be apt to pre-
vent any intelligent man from easily
making his selection for the very i'm
portant board of administration. I'm
der the present charter most OF the
heads of the city departments are
elected by the City Council Under
the plan hero under discussion. most.
If not ALL OF them could and should
be elected by the board of administra-
ton.
Concentrate Responsibility
Nor do l think that the nlan here
suggested is in actual opposition to the
second argument above stated, viz,
that Is desirable to concentrate in "a
few all the primary responsibilities
OF government.
do not think that that theory
should be regarded as applicable
where the responsibilities are not cog
nate. but are OF manifestly diverse
natures 1t would rather appear to
be true that where the responsibilities
are clearly distinct in their character,
IT would be wiser to so separate them
SO that those bearing the responsible
ties could concentrate their attention
upon one class or another. and not
have their attention diverted first
upon one and then upon another. II in
their natures they are unrelated
a few illustrations will show this
There Is no similarity between the
responsibility for levying a tax and
that of spending the money raised BY
the tax. between enacting q building
code and having the requirements OF
the code duly observed, between en-
acting q traffic ordinance and, seeing
that the requirements are fully obey
ed or between deciding that the city
should own its gas plant and the sub
sequent mana cement OF it,
In determining whether it Is wiser
to have small single body or a dual
form. such as is here suggested. we
must remember that the so-callcd
commission plan of city government
has not yet absolutely passed tie en-
, PeIiHicntdi SlaSc. bOTn IN IHe QlSttGSS
of a city nearly destroyed ani sub
sequentIy seized upon in the eager
hope of being freed from The prevail
ing evils of municipal government, 1t
has been not demonstrated that ii is
the best. and that 1t cannot ne i'm
proved upon.
Tied 10 Dual Form.
However the fact may lie, we are
so situated that We must have the
dual form. or remain at present un-
changed.
OF course. in speaking of the dual
form, I am treating the two branches
OF the City Council as one department.
as the Legislative department of the
city government. j must admit that
with board of administration, the
separation Of the City Council wsuld
be useless. and IL we had cu;' choice
we would prefer. / presume. tina: the
Council should consist only of one
branch.
Even should the single small body
be better. yet can see no serious
detriment from the dual form. pro-
vded In any draft you may sibriit
you strenuously strive to keep distinct
and separate the Legislative powers
from the administrative ones. and
give to the board of administration
full and unrestricted control over the
appropriations as soon as they IRE
made by the City Council in lump,
sums for each department, and full