The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-18
ANOTHER PLAN TO
CLEAR THINGS Up
Radcliffe Proposes Reduction III
Membership Of City
Council.
SEEKING LEoAL- OPINION
Two Aldermen and Three Coun-
cilmcn From Each Ward
Suggested.
LEGAL OPINION

Realizing that the present methods OF
conducting the city government by a
Council of two branches and composed
OF siNty-four men, with bic
committees, Is clumsy and awkward,
resulting in inaction and delay instead
Of cthcicncy and economy. Councilman
Clyde 1tatcllne, OF Leo Ward. proposes
a reduction in membership to two Al
dernlen and three Councilmcn from
each ward. making a Board OF six
teen members and 4 Council OF TWEEN
ty-fonr. or a total membership OF
forty. TO take effect from the expira-
ton of present terms.
with Il view of bringing tho matter
70 an issue. MIR. TlatcliTe Yesterday adj
dressed n letter to the City Attorney
asking advice as 10 whether such ac-
tion would have to he taken by the
Council itself. or whether it would
require n legislative enactment chang
ing the city charter.
Wants Vote on Plan.
there have been several in
the past to rcduce the membership or
the Council. hut in each instances they
have been couDled with other propo-
sitionS. The simple proposition 10 re-
d'ce tho representation from each
ward has never been presented square
~ on its merits. MIR. Cunst once pro-
posed y reduction in membership. and
that the members be paid for their
services: other members ha We proposed
IN" creation OF q board OF control to
take over executives functions now In
charge OF ouncil committees, and
there have been various other proposi-
lions for simplifying tho administra-
ton. but never. according to Mr.. RAT
ciinc. has the Counc been called to
vote on he simple proposition OF re-
duc'nS tho ward representation so as
to limit tho membership to a working
lp lis XXI -. ~ -. ~ ~. - .AH :,
the number ana size Of committees
could he greatly reduced.
Letter TO CITY .ittorncy.
Mr.. Raicliffc sent to the City At
torncy yesterday the following let
ter:
Dear Sir Am thinking seriously
OF Introducing an ordinance before tho
present Council 10 reduce tho repre-
scntntivcs from tho various wards. |
Will thank YOU kindly to advise mo II
such an ordinance can be passed by
the present Counci or Is II necessary
that the State Legislature should act
In this matter" OF course, It this or
dinancc can be passed ! would no; ea-
pectlit 70 take effect until the terms
OF the present. members expire.
1f We can act in this matter kind
~ ask you TO prepare for me an or
dinanrc reducing our present repre-
sentatton to two Aldermen and three
Councilmen from each ward. and let
me have same at Your earliest con
ycnicncc.n
Hns Hccn Considered before.
The question Of reducing tho mem
bcrship Of the Council was taken up
by q special joint Committee OH an Nd
visory aud Consulting Board in Mu-
nictpai management, headed by former
Aldermen William r.. Dabney In 1907.
In connection with other propositions
being considered for simplifying city
procedure. While 1t seems to be in
the power of the City Council, under
certain conditions, 10 rcdistrict the
city into wards and to reduce The
number Of wards. yet section It OF the
city charter clearly states that the
Council shall he formed of two
branches, one the Common Council to
consist of five members from each
ward. and the other the Board or Al
dermen to consist OF three members
from each ward. In an opinion given
July l., 1907. by City Attorney Pollard
to tho special joint committee headed
by Mr.. Dabncy, the City Attorney. aft
ter reviewing the powers that could
be delegated by the Council to Il board
OF municipal management, in answer
to the specific question, Whether or
not a reduction in the number Of
Councilmcn is pcrnissiblcc' replies:
Mr.. Pniinrd's Opinion.
81 am clearly or The opinion that
there is no limitation in the Const!tu-
ton upon the Legislative power TO re
ducc the umbc OF the Board Of NJ
dermcn or Common Council Of the city
of Richmond, and therefore tho CITY
charter ma he amended authorizing
a smaller number Of representatives in
each ward than the numbers now fix
ed by the charter
III the same opinion. tthc City At
torncy rules on the question OF wheth-
err or not Councilmcn can be paid UNI
der existing laws, by replying: ~ am
! clearly of tho opinion that under the
charter of the city Of Richmond and
The general laws OF the Common
| wealth. the City Council cannot legally
provide for compensation for Council
men on account of their services as
such; hut I am likewise Of the opinion
that the Legislature may amend the
[ charter Of the city, or by general law
so provide and fix the compensation TO
be paid Councilmcn, or may authorize
the Council of tho city of Richmond
TO do so by ordinance or resolution.
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