The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-25
GREATER RICHMOND THROUGH A
BETTER GOVERNMENT.

mond. more than 500 representative
citizens met at the Business Mems
Club last night to discuss and hear
eminent for Richmond. No more con
vincinG evidence of the fine quality of
our citizenship could have been pre-
Eented than the unanimous and en-
thusiastic spirit shown al the meet
Ing. There was nothing half-hearted,
nothing pessimistic about the assem-
blage, which, for almost three hours.
listened to the plan for greater
Richmond through better govern
ment. Every good thing said about
the city, every suggestion for It's i'm
provement. every declaration of faith
In Richmond, evoked the ringing ap-
prevail Of those assembled. Some went
TO the meeting with the idea that it
would be a conference of handful of
struggling reformcrs and indictments,
peppered with booster here and
there. but II was not. 1t was gen
oral outpouring of Richmonds best
citizens--men representing all lines Of
Rctivity-business men. college pro-
fessors lawyers, physicians, travelling
men, city officials, State officials. Coun-
ciirnen. ministers. artisans, mechanics
men OF many different walks, but
united for their clty's welfare.
II was a meeting unanimous In SEN
timent There was not single pro-
test against the new plan, no knockcr
arose to inject conjunctions and inter-
rogatons. AS Councilman Pollock so
happily said, the Knockers had at last
come into the fold; class and caste and
creed have been fused by civic spirit
into one body moving forward
The new plan was discussed fully
and frankly. Mayor Richardson opened
The discussion by stating what all now
OF city government is 'antiquated."
I'VE cannot under our present form of
government obtain the very best re-
suits by the very best administration"
he declared. A simpler form is needed
in which there will be ccntrallzati ton
of responsibility. This demands no
radical change, but is simply a revor
sion TO the old principle that the leg
islative and administrative departments
of government should be wholly sepa-
rated. The Mayor clearly pointed out
the defects in the present government
Of the city, showing how wellnigh in
terminable delay IS brought about. how
authority is decentralized, how ward
rivalry defeats city prosperity. His
unqualified Endorsement to the city ad-
n:n!strativo hoard proposition was
given BY the Mayor, who believes in
a GENERALIZATION of authority and re-
sDonsibility.
In vigorous, address. City Attorney
Pollard championed the new plan in
us entirety, believing that the meet
ing last night betokens great good
10 the city" His was timely warn
ing, however-this is a night, nc
night with cornstalks," but a fight
against determined men who do not
want progressive municipal methods
in Richmond Put your shoulders I,
the wheel and push he urged, and his
advice should be needed by all thos'
who back the new plan Mr., Pollard
Charles Y. Meredith and Henry W
Rountree put their fingers on many
flaws in the present form OF city gov
crnment Of Richmond, showing that j
s. not cohesive or cooperative an,
that it is contradictory.
They made it clear tina; the cit!
should be operated upon business prin
cipies, bu, by business men who hay
nothing else TO 90 but attend 70 IL!
anairs OF tbs city, ana not rs busincs
men who have little time 10 do auS
tmng but attend 70 their private bus
mess They forged Il ,,hfiu OF fact ana