The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-07
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|. TO GET GOOD MEN
Mayor Signs Melton Resolution
Opposing Passage of Mon
tague Bill.

Mayor Richardson yesterday signed
the Melton resolution, directing The
special committee on legislation ana
'A+ City Attorney to appear before the
proper committees OF the General AS
semplE in opposition 10 the passage o,
the Montague bill, designed to shorten
inc period Of residence in the city for
citiz2iis OF the state from one wear
10 thirty days, in order 10 make them
cliElDie for election 10 city Office.
nae ina Mayor gave no statement OF
ms reasons in connection with sign
ing the resolution, ii is understood ina,
ne REGARDS the Montague bill as mn
constitutional. as not complying with
Sections is and - of the State Constr
tuition.
II has been charged that the bill wac
offered by MIR. Montague in the in,er.
est OF his brothcr-ln-Iaw, Charles r.
WINSTON, formerly n member Of the CITY
tonhcii, and now resident of Barton
heights, who desires to become n can
didatc tor superintendent of the elcr-
tric plant but who, under the present
construction of the law. would nave 10
i've IN the city one year before ne could
DC e'ected. the Constitution prescrib-
ing as qualifca tion residence nj
two years in the State and one year in
the city OF county. Mr. Winston has
been engaged in business in Richmond
Tor many years.
1t has an urged that the Montague
OIL opened the way for the civ 10 ro
outside 10 secure technical skill tor
management OF its departments but il
: pointed out that i, only applies 10
'nose already citizens OF the STAR.
! mus limiting the city to a choice from,
. other towns q rit 81
Gun Employ Experts.
The Council has been advised nv the
oi'y Attorney that under the pres IN,
ia"s. willie II cannot elect "a ilon-res-
ident 20 office. II can enter into con.
tract with such nonresident to per.
form such specific duties. Under this
plan the Council contracted with Con
suiiing Engineer Tranord, then a sub.
lcct OF Great Britain, 10 plan and su.
rcrriSe construction OF the electric
plant and the Committee on Electric.
NY has since contracted with him 10
supervise tn. operation Of the plant al
4 s2"o per month, pending the clccuar
tot superintendent. Similarly IL has
been held that the city could AT any
/ 'lmc enter into contract with an OK.
! part gas or hydraulic engineer or am
| "ther technical expert whose skin was
| required 10 come here and perform Ger.
4
contract. which might Include the an.
oral supervision and management OF
come public works for a specified
teriod thus giving the city, undo,
/ present laws and without any consu.
! 'utlonal change. all OF the SCOPE that
! necessary 10 secure such expert ad.
zee as II needs city Engineer Boil.
! rE l. now recommending that the eli,
, contract with competent landscap,
! engineer TO come here and lay off IN
shields Grove Annex to William Byr,
/ PARK and the new Bryan Park, so tina
further improvements may be on ;
concerted plan. Under this plan IN
tcrt engineers were brought here SON,
fears ago to plan and supervise IN,
rebuilding OF the Gas Works, and iron
I'm: 10 time since experts have exam
med that Plant ana made reports on IT,
.Mc!cncy y hitch might arise wer.
1t desired to put such an expcr, /,
charE" OF hcpa rtmcnt for when Their,
IS now superintendent. even thougi
the council refused TO re-clect him
since the statute provides that sucl
officers shall serve until their success
korS are al tctcd and qualify.