Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-22

amendment proposed that before a
franchise could be granted By tho
Council IL shall first BIO referred to the
Mayer. the heads Of the city depart
ments and the members of tho ell
cheney board. sitting together. to be
reported back by this board with such
recommendations as Will guard and
protect the public interests, property
and welfare.
The Council shall not act upon IA id
ordinance" the amendment continues.
Tor at least TWO weeks after the re-
celpt OF said report. and said ordina nee
shall become effective only from and
after thirty days from the date of its
passage by the Council The Council
may require the presence of the Mayor
ana any and all members of said board
during the consideration of said or
dinance. The Mayor or any city oific or
selected by him shall have at all times
the right and authority 10 inspect the
books Of any public service corporation
owning or using municipal franchises
or privileges"
WANT PERMISSION TO Use
PREFERENTIAL BALLOT
The other amendment provided for
a change in the primary law 10 admit
the use OF the preferential ballot. 1t
provides: that the law governing pri-
mary elections be amended so that in
municipal primaries for Mayor in
cities of over 100000 inhabitants there
shall be "A prescribed preferential bal
lot whereby the voter may declare his
hrst, second and other choices for
Mayor, or else that there may be a
double primary election for Mayor to
the end that by one or the other
change IN our Democratic primaries the
choice for Mayor may not be By a bare
plurality but by majority voting.
thereby encouraging desirable candi :
dates TO declare themselves and the
voter TO express his real opinions and
10 register and vote"
Both amendments were receive;
and made part of the report fled with
the committee by the Civic Associa-
lion.
SEEK DESIRED REFORMS
BY AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER
Councilman Pollock opened the pro
ceedings by urging the committee TO
decide at the beginning whether II VIII
proceed to draft an entirely new form
II government or seek TO secure the
desired reforms by amendment to tn.
harter now in force. Personally, he
saio. he was convinced that IL would
&c matter Of impossibility for the
committee TO complete It's task in time
:or action by the next Legislature
should II decide upon the first-name.i
course.
Chairman Jones called upon City At
torncy Pollard for his advice on this
1oint Mr.. Pollard replied that ne
would necessarily conine himself with
statement of the problem involved in
either proceeding. II would not be
light he thought TO ask him to adj
Use the committee on a matter of pol-
.cy. since whichever course Is deter.
aimed upon finally. he would be called
apon TO pass upon legal questions. lie
desired. he said. 70 be free from III.
suspicions of having favored any par.
ocular brand Of reform. preferring to
pass Oh legal questions alone.
80 RIGHT 70 SUBMIT
AMENDMENTS TO POPULAR VOTE,
Mr.. Pollard startled the committee
AZ the outset however. with the state.
ment that. In his opinion. the Council
would have no right whatever TO SUN
nit 10 tho vote OF the people any
a'ne ndwents 10 the present charter. a
submission. he said. could be possible
only in the case OF an entirely new
charter. and then under the authority
conferred upon the Council by the re-
cent act of the Legislature. describing
how cities of 100000 or more may
change their forms OF government.
THE city OF Richmond" said Mr.
Pollard. can exercise only' the powers
that are delegated 10 II In the char
ter. The charter authorizes refer
cndum only in the case of DroDos.d
sale OF the Gas Works Any other
reference 10 the people would be IL
legal. The Council would have abb
people FOR their approval any amend
ments to the present charter"
CAN ASK LEGISLATURE TO
SUMMIT QUESTION TO PEOPLE
My. Pollock was at first inclined to
differ with the City ATTORNEY on this
point. but Mr. Pollard assured him that
he had given the point mature study
and that there could be no doubt about
the Councils lack OF power in the
premises.
Wyndham r. Meredith was inclined
even to doubt the power OF the Coun-
I'll 10 call an election for a submis-
sion to the voters OF an entirely new
charter. The act. he thought. failed
10 make clear how the special election
shall be called. The City Attorney,
after reading the enactment to the
committee. expressed his belief that
there could be no possible doubt as TO
the full power or the Council to order
special election for a submission OF:
new charter.
Mr. Pollard pointed out that while
the Council would be without power
submit an amended charter to the ne .
pie. this end could be accomplished y
asking the Legislature 10 pass an oct
putting into effect the charter changes
ratified by the Council. subject to the
approval of the electorate. The changes
then would not become effective until
ratified by the people.
WILL SEEK REFORM
By WAY OF AMENDMENTS
In order to secure definite express
sion of policy, Mr.. Pollock offered his
motion declaring the committees in.
tention TO secure the needed reforms
by amendment TO the present charter.
Chairman Jones asked the citizen