The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-15
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 10, 1911,
a long STEP EoIs,yAnp.

inc last chapter of Il stirring: cam.
paign' for better government for Rich.
mond was written last night by TN.
Common Council In concurrlng with
the Board of Aldermen In adopting the
ordinance for the administrative board
80 constituted under the original plan
There can be no longer any doubt as
70 the civic spirit and the high purnosc
OF the City Council of Richmond. For
the good Of their city councilmen have
calmly leEislated themselves out OF
office, smashed ward lines, yielded the
powerful privilege OF patronage and
shorn themselves OF important rights
end powers. The measure originated
IN tho Council. 1t was a splendid
public spirit which actuated tho Coun-
Gil, and tho deep gratitude of the cit
fsens is duo to tho unseinsh men In
both branches who voted for the two
great changes in our government be-
cause they believed these reforms wore
best for the city and best for the PEG.
PIE. In addition, the city owes an In
ssimable dobt OF thanks to the Cham
Der of Commerce, the Business Mems
Club and to all the citizens who used
their influence and gave their time and
labor to effect this advance. The
spirit Of cooperation and energetic ad :
vocacy which animated those who
worked for the new plan was the pro-
Sressive spirit of a great city.
The new form of city government is
an experiment, and its result is of vital
Importance to Richmond. Doubt OBJ
tains In some quarters as TO the eff
cheney of this new form, while there is
g. corresponding BELIEF that it viii
prove no uncertain success. No judE-
ment can be passed upon 1t until it
has been tried out, and it behoovcs no
one at this time to be dogmatic or die
tatorial In regard to It,
The Times Dispatch is OF the opinion
of power in a single body be good
thing, then that principle should be
carried to It's logical extent. There
fore, The Times Dispatch sees no JUS
tifcation for withholding the Fire, Po-
lice and Health Departments from the
control OF the administrative board.
If the principle applies successfully TO
any departments, 1t applies equally
we'll to all departments.
Much has been said and written
about the failure OF commission gov
eminent TO work out in certain places
In many cities commission government
has been for some time, and sill is,
In the experimental stage. Richmond
has not been able, under the law, to
give commission government q trial,
but instead has had Council which
has given the city reasonably good
soyernment--certalnl under the old
form. Richmond did not suffer greatly.
The city has now taken n step which
is deTonstrably step toward right
government. Under the new form
Richmond wilf'- save money and sim
piify procedure, have greater efficiency
in the administration OF It's affairs and
in the operation of the departments
and utilities.
INC new form VIII he, as we have
said. in the nature of valuable expert
ment. II under IL it shall be shown
that Richmond is fitted TO adopt more
advanced government. the city can
then go ms far rs 1t chooses in the
matter of progressive government
Tho thing TO do now is 10 get the very
best men. the most capable and pro-
sressjve men. available for the reduced
Council and for the administrative
board. Every effort should be made 10
make this new form Of government {.
success. There is no necessity for
bitterness and division: This move
rnent for better form of government;
has triumrhed with singular unnnim-
ity; now let US all strive to make
this form d singular success.