The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-06
FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE; THE FEE
SYSTEM.


rn. demand of the people OF VIZ
.nia for the abolition OF the fee sys-
,.~ Of compensatins public officers III
virginia and the substitution therefor
->.l salaries IT, stronser to-day
.a..u 4 ever was before. Public senu-
,..n. for this reform 3 more clearly
n,i,rowed ia the press than 1t has
over been before. Discussion Of the
.ssu. mas brought forth good fruit.
Zine. fee system cannot endure the con-
snmins light of publicity. The time
is rsp,. and rotten ripe. for change.
..rno Zee system is the most import
au, issue before the people of Nir-
,.ais at the present time declared
y NJ. peatross IN accepting the chair
nanshin Of fhe Citizens Party Of Nor
folk last week There is not more
oopular issue that can be brought be-
fore the people of this State than the
f.. system" declared Dr.. Sparks w.
Melton. pastor of the Freemason Street
Rap,ist church Of Norfolk. upon the
Norfolk itself, an organization striv-
ing for the establishment Of free
dom OF political opportunity and
democratic government, is of the
opinion that the fee system is
the lad of all our political woes,
that it has delayed and hindered, and
j. still delaying and hinderinS the ma
terial prosperity of this city; that II
paralyzes individual effort and seeks
to destroy independence of action IN
an fields Of legitimate political en-
deavor. and renders abortive all at
tempts at civic betterment"
DO these announcements magnify
.he Importance Of the issue? Is this
agitation over the fee system m~re
tempest in a teapot2 Is the question
purely LOCALE Is the movement much
ado about nothing?
LIT the states of the Taion answer.
The people Of Illinois are demanding
the abolition Of the fee system The
people Of Georgia are demanding the
abolition of the fee system and have
partly succeeded in doing away with
it. The people Of North Carolina are
demanding the abolition of the fee
system The people OF Delaware are
demanding the abolition of the fee
system and. obedient 70 their Will
-h.. state House Of Representatives has
passed bill emasculating the system.
81 parties supporting the measure.
The people Of Maryland are demanding
.lhs abolishment Of the fee system
700. and branch The people Of Texas
s-e demanding the abolition OF the
&c system. The people OF Alabama are
demanding the abolition Of the fee
system. and there Il has been partly
destroyed The people Of Missouri are
demanding the abolition Of the fee
system Is i not evident. therefore.
-aat The cry OF the people Of Virginia
Is only symptomat-c % a nationwide
demand for the extirpation OF the
system?
Why gone reopie Of virginia de-
cree the death Of this system? Be
.ause il denies TO them the right 70
know what compensation their public
servants are receiving out of the pub
lic treasury. Because II enriches office
holders out Of the peoples pockets.
Because it overpays certain office
holders several times the value Of
heir services Because II diverts grcs-
sums OF public. money into private
channels. enlarges private fortunes
and decreases public improvements.
Because IL IS the meat upon which
the ofIioeholders trust feeds and grows
great. Because j; provides the sinews
81 war for the entrenched legions Of
Invisible government. Because IL ap-
propriates public money 20 be used in
The defeat Of the peoples welfare. BE
cause some Of SIS beneaciaries control.
and dictate legislation and compel and
.ommand legislators elected 10y -
people L. betrav their public trusts
Because 80 enables some of its btn.-
gclaries 90 exercise an absolute V.to
-ron Legislation. Because 10 prevents
economy fn government Because ff
puts a premium upon serviiity instead
~ upon eficicucy. Because il shuts
tie door upon progress in government.
because ifs very existence is RI, NAL
that The peopi. shall rule. Because 30
bars The way to better schools and
l..rf.- r,..a AND r.-...~ fa~.e and 1T