The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-03
CITY OFFICIALS
MUST Be VOTERS
House Defeats Bill Allowing
Temporary Employment OF
- NnnrcSilcnis
NOnrcsidcnts.

Under the leadership OF James j.
Dreamer, the llouse OF Delegates yes
tcrday, Tor the second time, refused to
pasu bill which would permit cities
ana towns TO secure the services OF OK
perts ana others who are not voters
IN the communities. The fight was an
echo OF the Montague bill Of earlier
In the session, and resulted I'm bring
Ing out the facts behind that measure.
Tie former bill exempted Richmond
from the operations of tho law, which
requires officers of cities and towns 10
he citizens OF their respective locali
Ties. II passed the House and was
Caught In the Senate and reconmitted.
Tho city Council decided against the
ulll, and Instructed it's legislative COM
mittee TO oppose IT, which necessarily
spelt It's death.
a somewhat different proposition was
presented by the Watts bill. which was
Filled yesterday. and which was ea!d
to have been drawn by City Attorney
Pollard. OF Rlchmonl William Watts,
itb patron, said that Roanoke wanted
a hydraulic cngincc: last summer. and
could not get one because of the fact
that no competent citizen Of that city
dosired the position, and IL was impos-
sibie TO 80 outside
Hin Montague said lie desired to
make personal explanation. The
other h!li4 history was detailed. In
Guiding the fact tina, two Richmond
papers had cditorially Endorsed it.
1T 80 happens nc said. that
Charles II. WINSTON. my brother In law.
@ lifelong resilient OF Richmond. was
mentioned for the position of super
intcpdent of the new electric light
plant. He cared nothing for the posi-:
ton. and advised him against It.
but because he lived across the
bridge in Barton Heights. It was sug-
Eested that no might be Ineligible.
SO introduced The bill. believing
the principle to be right
do not think Il Chinese wall should be
butt about our cities. A municipal
corporation, like any other big bust
ness institution. should DO able to get
the services of experts wherever it
can sccure them"
II am glad" said Mr.. Crcanier. that
this explanation has hecn made. and
that am saved the painful duty pt
making II. The bill. as you have just
heard, was introduced to allow a rcla-
tive OF It's patron to become m officer
OF the city Of Richmond. and thereby
suspend~the State law. l am not will
ing to admit that there Is only one
man who can fill the position referred
TO. The man who has been superin-
tending the construction of the plan.
was not even n citizen OF the United
statCS WtCn MS services were bCCurcl,
although he has become one since.
hound by Instructions.
I hold In my hand resolution adopt
cd by the City Council, approved By
tho Mayor, nstructlng the Richmond
delegation TO oppose the Montague bill.
This measure viii accomplish almost,
similar results, and mus, vote against
IT,"
Did not the Superintendent Of the
Gas Works. In whose department you
nro employed, ask sou to fight this
bill?" inquired Mr.. Montague.
HE did not" responded Mr. Crcamo-.
Mr.. Watts said that cities should he
able Ia go Into the market and hire
whom they please. He was willing to
reduce the length OF time for which
ronresidents could be employed to
three months. Inst .ad OF twelve, IL the
bin reached the Senate, since It va.
past it's ancndabic stage in the House
II wag defeated by a vote OF 81 to
80. the Richmond delegation. save Mr..
Montague. voting against il.