Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-07-16
Citizen Member of Charter
Change Body Would Disfran-
chise All City Servants.
NO TIME FOR NEW CHARTER
Committee Is Told That Only
Chance Is to Amend Pres
ent System.

and arc empioycd H. the city to par
ticipate in municipal elections. AS
long as that system prevails you need
not hope to divorce politics from mu-
nicipal government"
In this manner Charles V. Meredith,
associate member OF the Council Com
mittce on Charter Reform, when asked
to point out the chief defects in the
city's present governmental plan. de-
livercd a broad Indictment last night
against what nc regarded the cardinal
falling in municipal administration.
He enlarged upon this view TO show
that the evil was a real one. delivering
his charge with fire and conviction
that compelled the attention Of the
committee to the end.
READY TO TAKE VOTE
FROM CITY EMPLOYEES
IF YOU want my personal views as
to what is the matter with this city's
government I'll give them to you. and
am prepared to stand by them" con-
tinued Mr.. Meredith. 1T will take a
constitutional amendment to withdraw
the right OF municipal suffrage from
vote for It.
Under the present system good gov
crnment is fatally handicapped In
every municipal election you arc con-
fronted with compact body OF city
employees who are opposed to change.
1t is not safe situation. No matter
what reforms You propose. you start
with body of 1000 voters who are
, against ii. not because it Is lacking
| in merit. but for personal reasons
NO INCENTIVE FOR GOOD
MAN TO RUN FOR OFFICE
IF YOU undertake to elect a man
to a responsible office 10 displace a
man who is in that office, the chances
are 90 out of 100 that the man
who is in Office will be reelected 1t
| is startling thing to consider. but It
is so--thcre is absolutely no Incentive
for capable man to run for office un-
der present conditions
"A man who is employed by the city
has no right to vote in a municipal
election. He prevents other people
from obtaining the sort of government
they want, not because the new form is
not good but because il is not con-
venient
The evil is mitigated in the large
cities of the North and West by the
! presence of two more strong rival
parties. There is constant incentive
for these parties TO nominate Mavors.
for example, who are strong men,
| Each party seeks out the strongest
man ii fnd in order to attract
voters from the rival party. That is
| why New York City gets such compe-
tent Mayors.
|
INSUR:S ELECTION
Here in the South and in Richmond
there is absolutely no party rivalry
Nomination in The primary Is tanta-
mount TO election. We start with a
handicap OF 1000 votes practically
pledged 20 oppose reform candidate,
no matter how able. We are absolute
ly without protection. Nominations
are secured through popularity. and
not ability There is no incentive for
| an able man 10 enter into such a COM
| petition. You have n chance now to
rid yourself OF that incubus, if you are
really in earnest about removing the
city government from politics. would
| not deprive city employees OF the right
| to vote in State and national elections.
| An amendment 10 the Constitution will
! enable Richmond to deprive them OF
the right 10 vote in city elections, and
| | am ready TO vote for such an amend
! ment."
| MIR. Meredith spoke early in the even
| ing, shortly after the committee
settled down for business. For more
| than two hours the body driftcd aim
! lessly in a sea OF suggestions as TO the
| proper procedure TO follow, deciding
! finally that until the members had
~ Of f,,,
themselves With the charter il was pro-
! posed TO reform. AS we'll as with the
charters OF progressive cities whose
example ii was proposed TO initiate,
there was not much that the committee
| could do.
WILL MAKE COMPARATIVE
STUDY OF CHARTERS
| In accordance with this view, short
| ly before adjournment at II O'Clock, it
adopted Il motion offered by Alderman
| Adams. instructing Clerk Mcdowell to
telegraph to a list of selected cities
asking for copies of their charters and
reports showing the results of their
practical operation. Pending their ar
rival, the members will make a careful
study of the city charter. The com
mittee adjourned to meet again at the
call OF the chair.
When Chairman Carter c. Jones
called the body to order at 0 o'clock
every member of the Council commit
tee was in his seat except Alderman
Christian, who did not attend the
opening session. The five citizen mem
bcrs answered TO the roll call and took
a prominent part in the evenings dis
| cussions. Assistant City Attorney
George Wayne Anderson was present
| as the committees legal adviser.
The committee, early in the evening,
came to the practically unanimous con-
clusion that it was essential to decide
at the outset whether 1t shall address
itself 10 the task OF drawing up n
special form OF government TO super
sede the present form. or attempt to
carry into effect such reforms as it may
Continued on Second Pagc.)