The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-19

| fsanS ana t0e drpt OonHdtuNon OF
Gown through all tho Constitutions OF
uas state since 177S, tho separation
OK OK. inc !eSislaiTs. executive and judi
m 1,aI functions IN our State govern
| aent nus been regarded as ON essen
! ual principle. /! bslleNe this princl-
plo equally applies to a ctty govern
mont which oolheots from tho people
ss.ooo,0o6, In Meso days Of oo,Itiaai
heresioa there are Some who denomi-
nate TILE principle OF tho separation
~ ~ tnesS functions as political cstioh
Mnlon should find no place In our gov
eminent. but I am not prepared TO
admht that tho tahhera Of Tho republic
wero 80 ignorant Of tho science of
government as to PROFOUND a political
heresy.
haws nevor believed In what Is
CARED tho commission form of gov
the perfection OF archangols win l be
wiling to tntrust any three or 1yo
| men with tho autoorutlo power to levy
taxes. collect taxes. grant tranohtseA
officers and employ es, and expend mope
than 100000 without tho checks and
| balances deemed necessary to SECURE
could easily build up a personal fol-
lowing which would perp stuato their
power.
Theory L. Approved
Tho creation of board of adr,in-
istration Is not only correct in theory
but commends ITSELF as O correct bual
NESS method Nearly all largs busl-
In addition to their stockholders and
| directors, now have an administrative
or executive committee
! On the 9th day of November next
tine people OF Richmond Will eleot from
the city ut largo five memo era OF this
Administrative Board, who will enter
upon the discharge OF their duties on
January ], 1919. These members will
40 A.
first. who will hold ONCE. two for two
years. two for three years and ono for
four years. to DO determined by lot.
AZ will enable them to dsvote the
whole OF thoir time to the discharge
OF their important duties The City
council will then bs Legislative
body only. 1t Will levy and supervise
the collection of taxes, elect certain
oiicers specified In tho aot. FIX certain
salaries. make appropriations In bulk
franchises and enuct ordinances
| The Administrative Board Will ap-
point certain heads of departments and
employees. fix their compensation. and
have control of all streets, parks. pub
Lilo buildings. and DC held RESPONSE l e
for the operation OF all public ut4li
tics: mako oil contracts for public
| improvement, supervise tho work. and
order all payments In othor words
It Will discharge oil executive func-
lions now devolvi1g upon the several
committees OF thu City Council.
VIII 0bviate Delays
| Now. there orc many vesatious de-
lays. with resulttns lons and incon-
venicnce In tho execution of work.
| sometimes OF the most pressing i'm
portanca but tho Administrative Board
will meet daily. II necessary. for the
transaction OF business. and these de-
lays should not occur The advantage
! OF having such a board. clothed with
such authority. must be apparent, ant
| Il ~ reaso nable TO suppose that Ave
persons representing the city at large
| Will be better ablo 70 judge where
| tho money can be spent TO the best
advantage.
much authority. and responsibility VIII
be definite and liked Authority and
responsibility go hand IN hand, Thsre
will probably be at first some fr!c-
don because of this change In our
aunt onoTny. but this Is usual, and these
ma tiers Will be adjusted. And some
changes In the law may be found nee
essnry. 7 believe IN tho greatest pub
Ecity In the transactions OF the bonrd,
and that tho award of all contracts
end expenditures should to published
nt Htatcd periods.
In conclusion. I viii express that
which is in the mind, of all thought
FIJI persone-that the success OF this
upon the personnel Of the members
OF this board. The people of Rich
mond arc now called upon TO exercise
their wsest Judgment AID soundest
discrimination in such election We