The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-28
coSsrIcuorsLY ABSENT.


Some twoscore names are mention
co in connection with the new Admin
istrative Board, which is TO consist OF
five members. Some Of these candidates
are naming themselves and some are
being named by others. but with n sin
BILE exception. all the aspirants of
whom The Times Dispatch has heard
politicians Aldermen and Council
men are In majority: legislators and
city officials are represented: those who
have been running for office all their
lives again evidence the perpetual
hope which springs In their hearts.
Is there any reason why the candi-
dates should all be oiiiceholders or
professional politicians? Have these
! men q monopoly when It comes to seek
: ing high municipal office? Are they
better fitted than other classes OF men
/. to fill the nve oflcep7 Have they any
than any other sort of men?
Where are the professional mon?
what disQuaIiiies them from entering :?
Where ure the business men? Whit
holds them back? Where are the
young mon who would like to serve
their city? Where are the public
spirited citizens, tho civic-minded?
Where are those who are always kick
Ing about the way tho city is run and
yet who never offer to help run It bet
ter? Would not q doctor with his
Knowledge OF public health or law
yer with his knowledge of law. or a
business man with his experience in
business, be just as well fitted as man
who has made running for office and
holding office a profession!
a very high degree of efficiency and
service is demanded from tho Admin
istrativc Board. II its members be
unprogressive and unbusn esslilSe, they
Will rctard the city In proportion to-
the extent OF these defects. These Ave
men will carry on the business OF the
city. They Will award contracts and
disburse the c!tys money. weak
man may cost the city ten times his
salary by his blunders. So great Will
he tho concentration OF power in these
men ard SO heavy their responsibility
that they must each possess far more
tive qualities than is required OF city
Councllmen.
Tho fact that a man hns had no. poli-
teal experience should not cause him
70 keep out OF this campaign The
people OF Richmond realize That some
thing more is needed OF the Admin,strn-
tihe Board than loE-roiling ability and
tho energy 10 discharge routine duties.
TO perform the duties OF the Offices
properly, tho city must have n-.t-olass
men. even II these men must make per
sonal SACRIFICES to servo Richmond
The field Is .t!li.epen... Tho people will
back tho best men, because they know
they need the best men. The Admins
rattve Board needs vigorous INFUSION
OF new blood, Upon the kind OF men
elected to tho Arst Administrative
Board depends the success or failure OF
that Board. No form OF government,
however good and modern, can sue
coed unless II be administered by rro-
sressive ana efficient men. The Admin
istsative Board Is 10 be the work,no
field FOR Ave live, w.de-awake. public
spirited men: not n shelving place for
ward politicians. or for those who have
long been fed on the public milk bot
Ito
Those who were aggressive In the
campaign for the new form Of govern
ment nre conspicuously absent in this
oempaifn. Richmond must have the
best men Il can possibly get for the
new Board Le, us smash precedents
by electinE five such mon