The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-28
MAY ASK COUNCIL
FOR ITS ADVICE
Montague Bill Leaves LcgisIa-
tive Committee Rather Up
i'll the Mir.
oFFICE-HoLDING MATTER
Measure Amends Law as TO
Eligibility Of Candidates
in Richmond.

IL Is possible that Il special meeting
OF the city Council Will be called FOR.
the purpose OF defining the duties OF
the special committee appointed to
prosecute the city's interest before the
Legislature. This situation arises be-
ca use OF the presence In Il senate com
m!ttce of a b!il affecting Richmond
alone. which has not been passed upon
by the Council, ana which raises tho
question of whether or not the special
committee. headed by Morgan K.
Mills. has the right to speak for or
against tho measure without specific
sanction.
The Richmond delegation is prcpar-
cd TO act upon the advice Of this spe-
c:nl committee. Can the committee
give authoritative advice?
The case in point is the bill intro
duccd by H!ll Montague. and passed BY
the House. amending the l;Ly relative
20 the qualification Of candidates for
Office In cities and counties The gen
cral statute provides that TO he cligi-
bic TO Office, one must have the same
iuelifica tons as a vUtcr--two years
residence ia the State and one in the
city or county. The Montague bill
amends this as applied only 70 cities,
Of more than 10000 population, III
which ii says officers HAY be elected
VINO have lived therein for thirty days.
1t passed the House without oppos:-
lion. but when in the Senate IL was
tagged ~ Senator L. &. folkcs. who
said lac had some constituents dcsir
ing 10 be heard. SO it went back to
the senate Committee on County, city
and Town organizations.
Would Hear From Committee.
When 1t comes up there, IL will sc,
hearing. Seen last night. Senator
Folkes would express no opinion. He
| merely smiled and said nc was as
surcd that the committee, Of which hC
! is a member, will courtrously hear
| everybody. also. he would like 10
/ accredited legislative committee. With
such credentials. he thought there
would be no doubt OF it's passage.
/ ~ applied 10 technical! positions. the
| opinion prevails that il is u good bill
Sometimes there arise positions wh:ct
require the services Of persons cspcc-
/ tally qualified by specific education
| and experiences which fall to the lot
! Of few mcn--such az expert electrical
engineers, experts in hydraulics. cX'
ports in mechanical or civil engineer
I, Ing. 1t is conceivable that At ans
| particular time such Il man could no
! be found in this city as Il citizen. avail
! able and willing 10 accept the position
Z Therefore. 1t might be 10 the city's ad
| vantage to go outside and secure thu
/ services OF some one who would be
| eligible after remaining here for onl.
/ thirty days.
| But the Montague bill is applicable
! to every Office flled by the CITY Coun
/ ell, save only the City Attorney anc
! tho Assistant City Attorney. Some o
: the citizens do not like this much. ant
! prefer that tho lists OF .ligiblcs b.
/ limited to those who have identified
! themselves with the city and have be
( come voters therein BY reason OF one
! years residence.
Again, there is a question If the law
can be SO framed as 10 include only
| technical positions. Who is to decide
| this point and the others? Will the
, delegation listen to the Legislative
| .vukcnr