The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-09-04
Or. WILLIAMS IS
FOR Mr.. H0Bs0N
GIVES REASONS IN REPLY TO
CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
CIRCULAR LETTER.

DR.. Ennion g. Williams, president
former member of Richmond city
council. yesterday addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the Citizens associa-
ton:
- September 3. 1912.
To the Citizens Association:
Gentlemen,-Your letter requesting
Hse to support the nominees of your
association for the administrative
board is duly received.
/ am fully In accord with you in
considering that the matter Of select
fng FIVE administrators is one of the
greatest importance, and that each
voter should be satisfied that his se-
lection rests on solid ground.
You have undertaken to make this
selection for those who cannot. or
will not. make 1t for themselves.
l do not know what was the scope
OF your investigation OF the records
OF the seventeen candidates but / am
satisfied that 1t could not have ex-
tended to the council records. or you
would not have made the grave mis-
take OF leaving OFF Of your list n
man who has demonstrated by actual
service to the city that he possesses
those qualities that should be most
desired in members Of the board.
qualities which some OF your noni-
nees have failed to exhibit while they
have had an equal or better oppor-
tunity.
IL you will refer to the records OF
the committee on relief of the poor,
and the daily press for 1906 and 1907,
YOU will find that Graham B. Hob
son was rhiefiy instrumental in bring
ing about an investigation of the
City Home. He made the charge,
notwithstanding the threats and the
opposition of those concerned that
bids for supplies were being tam
pered with, and he proved eonclu-
siwely that bids had been tampered
with, although sufficient legal evidence
was not obtained to show who the
guilty party or parties were that
had opened and changed the bids
before submission to the council COM
mittee.
Among the findings OF The inves-
LEGATION conducted by Ora ham b. Hob
son was the wide open drug depart
ment. with no system Of records TO
show who ordered the supplies or
whether they came as ordered or what
disposition was made of the supplies
received 1t was also found that
forty-five cords of wood disappeared
from the institution. With no record
to show what became Of them.
could only be charged to "shrinkage or
stealage." These and other findings
Of the investigation were the record
of Incompetence and corruption.
After exposing these conditions. ne
applied himself to the reorganization
Of the institution along efficient and
economical lines.
Another service rendered the city
by Graham r. Hebson was that of
breaking up. for a time at least, the
of the council commit
tees by heads of city departments. 1t
was customary for some OF the DE-
partmert heads to invite the com
mittee to partake of an elaborate
dinner or supper Immediately follow
ing the annual inspection" This
blinded the committee to its proper
sense OF duty. and the inspection De
came a farce. Graham II. Hobson
an ordinance TO prevent
this Although it did not pass, IL
had the effect of calling public at
tention TO the pernicious custom ana
put an end to 1t.
While MFR. Hobson has led in these
and in other matters to which one
might refer his entire record In the
has been fearless. determined
and progressive. Having served win
him and having followed his career,
since he left the council can a
test to his ability and regard for puo-
lie trust. He has a record that shows
his strong sense of duty to the people
Of the city as we'll as his fearleesness
In exposing corruption and ineffictency-
This record may not appeal to some.
and il is to be regretted that II ala
not to the citizens COMMITTEES, fact
that can only be attributed TO their
ignorance of the council records of the
But 1t Is earnestly TO ne
hoped that II will appeal to very
large majority OF the voters OF the
city.
This letter is written without the
the knowledge of Mr.. Graham g.
Hobson or Of any of his other FRIENDS
and is based upon my knowledge OF
Mr.. Hobson's record while we We're
members OF the city council tosethe',
and served on the committee for the
relief of the poor.
Respectfully.
ENNION G. WILLIAMS