The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-01
COMMISSION FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

Among the important questions which will
engage the attention OF the next Legislature
will be that Of initiating such measures as shall
be found necessary to enable Virginia munich
palities to adopt the commission form OF gov
eminent That it Is the desire of the people at
large to give such system trial is generally
felt TO be true. However the recent expert
ences OF several North Carolina municipalities
Ia endeayoring 10 change their form of govern
ment. furnish interesting illustration Of the
power Of the powers that be"
During the last session OF the Legislature Of
that State Law was enacted giving each city
the option to adopt. by a majority vote Of its
qualified electors the commission form of gov
eminent. Such elections have been held in sey
eral cities already. and the results have not
been encouraging the existing regimes in every
case having carried the day in favor OF "letting
well enough aloue'' In All reforms indicative
OF such change of method as would threaten
the separation of public servant from his sal.
AIRY, the 'ins' may usually be counted on to vote
and work against change.
However, there many patriotic men hold.
ing public Office in Virginia cities who are ear.
nest advocates Of the new system and WHO will
give 1t their hearty support The commission
( plan OF government is not by any means In an
experimental stage. 1t has been weighed In the
, balance of practical use in Texas and Iowa for
several years and is growing in favor
! In the hands Of energetic competent honest
men, concentrating as 1t does both power to act
and npr5h
| appeals to the taxpayer who wishes to see his
money used economically and the affairs of his
city conducted in strictly business fashion.
i Discussing the commission system, the Nor
fok Firoiaion-Pllot says. in recent editorial.
! I'VE are fully persuaded that with exactly
me right men in charge OF IT the commission
} FORM Of government would yield far better re-
suits than the same administrators could ge,
out or the municipal machinery now obligatory
on Virginia cities.
we equally convinced that the change
> OF form would be but from the frying par
10 INTO the IRE If the commissioners were to be
put in ONCE, and controlled when there by
the same Influences which now select and domi.
= nate the public officials in most Virginia com,
munites
Unless the spirit of the celebrates be quick
g ened and the methods for expression OF thei,
win be purified, alteration in the framework
Of government win bring about genuine re-
, forms
H.
y tom. Reduction In the lumber OF agencies
simpiifcaton of the functions of those, popular
initiative and referendum, and the Doasted pan
acea Of the recall-all these will be applied In
vain unless the body of the suffragans be domi
mated by d proper sense of the rights and duties
If citizenship. And when that is the case. ths
character and conduct ~of this officials selected
viii reflect the civic virtue and courage Of the
+ constituency and the public business will b.
carried honestly and efficiently against
= the arawbatks OF a c1mbrous and complicated
scheme 81 government t,.,-..es.. 4.....,sr a.ss
'9fgie hope Is that with the desire for better
organic plan viii be born in the people the
q termination choose but worthy and
competent instrumentalitfes Otherwise the Ills
> We have had lust Well be endured