The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-10-06
THE STATE PRESS AND THE AMEND.
MENT9

than the counties. Two give the city treas
arers and commissioners the same rights non
possessed by the county commissioners and
treasurers. This is the right TO succeed
themselves when elected by the people. The
other amendment provides for commission
government for those cities which desire 1t.
In supporting this last amendment the State
press appears to be unanimous. We have
seen absolutely opposition to it expressed.
AS il is of more direct interest TO the cities
the city press is naturally advocating it more
STRONGLY but some of the weeklies are also
taking part in the discussion. Of these the
West Point Ne,cs is the strongest advocate,
believing that every citizen of the State,
whether living in town, country or city is
vitality interested in its adoption The amend
ment says the Ne4cs would enable any city
or town to adopt the new plan of government
tby commission which is working so success
gully in many of Western municipalities.
and has enabled these towns, by conducting
their affairs in businessike way. under the
Iexpert management Of their best business men,
TO make wonderful advancement. The results
have been to lower taxation and at the same
time have more public improvements. Whether
you live In town country you vitality
interested in anything which tends toward bet
ter government within your State. and the
Ne,cs urges you TO vote for this proposed
amendment
On the value of the amendments relating
To commissioners and treasurers there is more
nf large m
jority favor their adoption Among those who
do not are the Roanoke World the Petersburg
Inder-Ap peai and the Richmond Ttmes-Dis-
patch. The principal argument urged against
the amendment is that the resolution submit
ting them to a vote of the people was uncon-
istitutonally adopted,
Discussing them on their merits the Staun-
the ground that to permit county treasurers
and commissioners the privilege of reelection
while denying the privilege to those in
the cities is an unjust discrimination. There
|. IS no conceivable reason" thinks the Ne1cs
why city treasurers and commissioners should
I be regarded as ineligible to reelection" 1t
continues:
properly advised, will vote to remove these
useless and malign limitations from the cities,
thus putting the townsmen the same foot
ing with the countrymen and re-est abiishihg
the sovereignty to which they. in common
with all other voters. rightfully entitled.
The Norfolk Ledger Dispatch also regards the
limitations upon the city officials as unjust.
II ;s II .Suhy
the treasurers and commissioners of revenue
Of the counties should be eligible to reelection
and the terms of the same officials in the
cities should be limited"
The Danvile Register is strongly for the
amendments and the Charlottesville Progress
is also supporting them SAYS the Register:
Even the Charlottesville Progress. whose
owner and editor was a member of the con-
vention which framed the constitution. con-
cedes that since the ineligibility ban upon
county treasurers and commissioners has been
removed. it is only just and fair that city
officials be placed on the same basis. The
Lynchburg Ne,os. whose owner was also men,
Der of the constitutional convention, openly
advocates the ratification of the amendment.
w
folk Vngimiam- Pilot, whose editor was con-
vention member, if indeed that paper has
taken any part in the discussion"
And again *A-
''The people elect these officials for four
year terms Why should they be arbitrarily
denied the right and the privilege OF re-electing
and .retaining their services if they SO desire?
Those who believe that cities should have such
right should vote for the ratification of the
amendments to be submitted at the election
on November 9Th"
The amendments come to a vote on Noyem-
Colonel Roosevelt is right. Pearose should
be fred out of the United States senate. But
what's the use? Bill Finn would get his
place, and then TO be consistent the senate
would have to kick him out Why not make
Roosevelt the senate, TOO
"Mr Taft and Governor Wilson met and
had laugh together the other day, and judy