The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-29
UNANIMOUS FOR HETTEn GOVERN
MENT.


UNANIMOUS FOR BETTER GOVERN
MEM.
Cut my ward out. cut me out, If It
Is Tor the best interest of the city Of
Richmend! declared President II. Lee
Peters, of the Common Council, last
night at tho Chamber OF Commerce
smoker in the interest OF the plan for
better form of city government. Such
an utterance is indicative of the
aroused civic spirit which was the
Keynote OF the gathering last night of
800 men. representing every part and
sentiment OF Richmond. II the new
plan goes through, President Peters
VIII be legislated out of Office, but tho
high ground that he took last night
being shown by many members of the
city Council. There is too much
waste, there is too little co-operation:
Richmond is losing thousands of dol
lars through its present form OF gov
ornment, and it ought to have n better
FORM" President Peters affirmed with
Unmistakable sincerity and emphasis
II was get together for Richmond
meeting last night. Unanimously did
those present signify their approval
OF the new plan by a show OF hands,
ana on the rising vote taken on the
resolution appealing TO tho Council TO
adopt the plan there was practical
nnanimity, AT every opportunity, the
"itizens showed by their applause that
they are behind this movement and
inat they are determined TO "mat, Il
20"
Five hundred men last night sat
through more tAan two hours and a
ha'f OF straight talk, and they never
showed any desire 10 have II come TO
an end. They heard Charles " Mere
dith's lucid explanation OF the plan,
his vigorous criticism OF our present
form OF government ana his exposition
Of the good points in the new form
proposed; they heard city Attorney
Pollard indict the people OF Richmond
rs citizens. who had been placid
lockers on" while the few conducted
thei" government; they heard Ashton
Starke's vehement appeal for better
citizenship; they were stirred by the
logic and power of Rabbi Calisch's
eioquent appeal for a better city gov
eminent; they listened with keen in
tcrest 10 Councilman Pollock's in
dorsement OF the plan and plea for Its
support. and when Judge George l..
Christian told them that they ought
10 use every means in their power TO
get a larger registration for voting
they felt with him the necessity Of
such q step.
surely the members OF the Council
who were present last night were i'm.
pressed with what they saw and heard
They saw the writing on the wall ant
surely they Will heed IT. They gather
ed many evidences OF the fact that III,
sentiment OF the people of Richmont
is being aroused as II has not beer
aroused in years; that the bushes
men OF the city. the professional men
the workers, the citizens who coun;
and the Council are getting closer to
gether and feeling more interest Il
each other and more zeal for Rich
Jnpnd. Nor was this all thGi the Coun
silnen learned. They must have fcl
4 much pleasure at the very handsom
things that were said about the per
sonnel and good work of the presen
council by the representative men g
the city: they were made aware q
the fact that 1t is the form and nc
lie man behind It which is being cri,
seized. There was nothing but publ
interest to bring the citizen out t
that meeting last night The weathe
was inclcment; there We're no faInou
orators to speak; there We're no r
ireshments of any sort: no music; II
songs. no Inducements" But 900 {
AZ The people OF Richmond who cour
went. and the next time there is a l'k
meeting twiceAthat number will b
there.
IA re. ,n.nas.ra AS 81 the ne, twelve af y