The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-02
Home Rule for Cities.

OF the three amendments TO be voted upon
oy the virginia electorate at the approaching
OF cities-and it will be presented to the voter
in this form:
For the amendment to section III of article
OF the constitution of Virginia, with refer
ence to the powers of the general assembly
corning the forms of organization and govern
ment for cities according to their population.
Against the amendment to on 1T to
article of the constitution of Firginia. with
reference TO the powers of the general ssembly
concerning the forms OF organization and gov
eminent for cities and towns and the class fl
cation OF cities according to their population"
To vote for" the amendment, the voter
his pencil through the word 'against"--and to
vote against 1t the voter crosses the word for"
THIS amendment provides that the general
semoy may depart from the forms of orgtnlza-
ton and government of cities and towns as
prescribed by the constitution, and may provide.
from time to time, for the various cities and
towns Of the State such forms of mum. c!paI gov
eminent as 1t may deem best, subject to the
condit on that no form adopted by tie gen
erai assembly shall become opperatiNa,- except
as to such cities and towns may thereafter
adopt the same by majority vote of its quail
flied electors
1t will be observed that this amendment af-
fects only the cities and towns OF the State, al
though the entire electorate Of the Stnee must
vote upon It, There is no city of the first class
within the State which is not DESTROYS Of
curing relief from the cumbersome and
wieldy form of government required by the
listing constitution. Representatives of NUM-
cipal and commercial bodies Of all the cities
clared unequivocally in favor of This amend
ment The legislatures of 1910 and 1912 voted
almost unanimously in favor OF the amend
ment, which now goes to the people FOR ratu-
cation. While the voters of counties are rot d-
recty affected by this amendment every part
of our State and every good citizen is interested
In providing. for our cities simpler and more
efficient form of government. 1t is hoped that
the voters throughout the State will record
themselves in favor OF this important amend
ment--Lynchburg News.
Measure Of Vital Importance TO Virginia
Space is given on this page to an appeal from
the Virginia League Of Municipalities n the
earnest hope that the voters OF Lynchburg, ir-
respective of party Affiliations, will give this
amendment large majority in this city and
thus render more certain the approval! which,
it is believed will be Afforded it BY the voters OF
the State
1t is not out Of the way to remind the readers
Of this paper of the fact. of which they are
doubtless aware. that The Advance has for
years persistenty and consistently urged the
ment in Virginia In accordance with tn needs
and the conditions existing In the various To-
calities. Under the constitution as il now
stands. simplicatton Of this nature is hanlpered
ard m order to allow the various cities greater
degree or self-government through remoulding
their governments to their needs and their de-
sifes. This amendment has been proposed
II Is important to point out that the pas
sage OF this amendment does not make il
obligatory any city town to adopt any
specified FORM It does not mean that Lynch
burg or any other city must have any one OF
the commission forms that have been adopted
by hundreds Of cities in the United States IT
pcstuates nothing, but IT makes IL possible. for
any city to change its form Of government, SO
far as the change do Not conflict with the form
OF the state government. in accordance with
the wishes OF the voters Of the locality with
the assent of the general assembly
AZ VIII, 4 PASSED, ALLOW the voters Of Lynch !