The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-30
CALL A sIAss-MEET1NG.

Acting alike for like reasons, the
business Mems club and the Chamber
of Commerce yesterday decided not to
participate Officially in the election OF
any persons for any positions under
tho city government. They declared
that they would Endorse policies and
movements promoting the interest OF
Richmond, but felt that It was without
their scope to take part as bodies in
the nomination OF suitable citizens for
the Administrative Board. Both these
organizations were active and agrees
siVc in causing the new plan OF gov
ernment TO be adopted. and many felt
that. having had such a prominent part
in tho Inauguration OF the new form OF
government, these two bodies should
help to carry It Oh to q successful in
cept!on. The Chamber of Commerce
and the Business Mems Club. on the
other hand. doubtless conceived that
it would be unwise to set precedent
even In 80 meritor!ous a case. and,
therefore, declined TO enter upon fur
Their activity IN tho movement.
Tho affairs OF our city are too i'm
portant and large 10 be administered
by men of small calibrc. and there
must be an aroused public sentiment
on the part OF the citizens in general
to see that the members of the Admin
istratIye Board are men who measure
UP to its requirements both in ability
and character" asserts the circular
sent out By the Chamber of Commerce.
That IS q sentiment watch IS shared
by the patriotic citizens OF Richmond
yet both the Chamber OF Commerce
and the business Mems Club VII
doubtless concede tina, to have an
aroused public sentiment" somebody
must 80 the arousing. 1t takes work
TO do that 1t takes organization. aud
1t takes concerted action. For that
reason The Times-D!spatch hopes that
the two organizations MENTIONED VIII
call and arrange for a mass-meeting
to be held Wednesday night, tho only
purpose OF which Will be 10 arouse
public sentiment to the necessity for
enlargins the city electorate.
Two-thirds o: the adults OF Rich
mond eligible to vote will not pay
their poll taxes this year unless there
is 4 prompt and vigorous campaign
by the citizens. Saturday is the last
day for the payment Of poll taxes, and
after that date no man can qualify TO
vote for the Administrative Board. At
present the city employees and their
81
urally the city employees desire TO
elect TO the board the most undesirable
and incompetent men. The city en-
ployes constitute :, combination in re-
stra'nt OF decent and business-like
government. There is but one remedy:
the patriotic citizens OF Richmond
must get together and make a con-
certcd and powerful effort to get hum
drcds Of more men TO pay their poll
taxes. Such an effort would be frui,
ful of far reaching results OF inesti
mable value to the city. If the Cham
Der OF Commerce and the business
mems cub VIII call ss-meetinE
to consider ways and means for in
creasing the electorate of Richmond
they VIII not thereby participate in the
selection of any person for any Office.
nut they will start splendid move
ment to promote tho interest of the
city If these organizations do not
call such a mass-meeting there is no
likelihood that it will he called at all
such meeting cannot possibly go
beyond the sphere to which the two
bodies have confined themselves.
The Chamber of Commerce ana the
business Mems Club will render the
community Il notable service by calling
such a mass-meeting. 1t is up to
them.
THE VANISHED MAY DAY.