The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-12

The following changes In the pres
ent charter of the city of Richmond
were suggested by the Charter Com
mittee of the Civic Association of
Richmond. and recommended by the
Board of Directors Of the associa-
ton:
We submit for your consideration
and for approval and adoption by the
people. through the proper channels,
the following changes in our present
form of government.
The Mayor.
The Mayor shall be elected by the
qualified voters OF the city of Rics,-
mond for term of four years,
His salary shall not be less than
ten thousand t$10.000) dollars per
annum. payable monthly. 1t should
be fixed by the charter.
The Mayor and City Council 10 be
elected under this charter. and Their
successors thereafter shall have al
the, powers and privileges conferred
and shall be subject to all the duties
and obligations imposed by laws. upon
t'ne Mayor and the Common Council
and the Board of Aldermen and the
Administrative Board ana all other
boards except as herein otherwise pro-
, vided
The Mayor the Administrative Head
The Mayor shall be the admins
trative head of the municipal govern
ment, and shall be responsible for rie
efficiency of all departments. lie
shall exercise control over all depart
ments and all divisions, and all parts
thereof. He shall see that the laws
and ordinances are enforced.
He shall appoint all heads Of de-
partments and fJeads of divisions and
departments, and all officers. and all
members Of any board which he may
desire to create. subject SO far as their
fitress Is concerned Ia ttss approval
OF the Public Efficiency Board, af
hereinafter provided. The only OK
ceptions shall he those expressly made
In this charter, or such as is not per-
MISSILE for the Constitution of the
State to so appoint.
The Mayor shall have she right to
remove III any time Tor any cHHse
any and all herds of departments and
/. heads of divisions and all officers
and employees and members of any
and all boards. except as otherwise
stated herein.
Certify Appointments BASED on Merit.
All the departments made by the
Mayor shall be upon the ground that
such appolntees are recognized experts
in such work az may aeyolve upon
the encumbent of such oftise or posi-
iian, OF are persons ape oily I4tteu
i.y education. experience end executive
ability to perform the same, and II
when permitted by the Constitution oil
this State. he shall appoint them WITH
out regard to their being qualified
voters, or to their residence at the
time OF appointment
Before making appointments al
heads of any departments or hendS of
any division of said department the
/ Mayor shall publish notice of the fact
Of such vacancy twice week for
Two successive weeks in A newspaper
I published in the city of Richmond
Whenever the Constitution shall per-
/ NIT OF the selection by the Mayor Of
person not a resident OF the city, or
/ Of the State Of Virginia. then such no
tice shall be published for the same
| number Of times In two newspaper
/ published elsewhere in the State o.
Virginia, and in one newspaper, journal
or magazine in the cities of Boston
/ New York, Washington and Chicago
/ in addition to the publication in the
| city Of Richmond. Such notice shall
| state the position to be applied for
the salary thereof and the conditions
of the appointment. and shall require
all applicants to file their application
accompa MED by testimonials and other
suitable documents. with the clerk tt
the Mayor. He SHALL select the can.
didates best qualified for the post
and his selection. together with tbs
applications and papers Of all thu
candidates, shall he forwarded to the
Public Efficiency Board for approval
accompanied by a certified copy OF tht
following certificate. signed by thu
!, Mayor:
Certificate OF Appointment.
! / appoint fname OF applicant) u
/ the position OF fname Of positionl ant
I i certify tsaat in my opinion he la 8
recognized expert in the work which
viii devolve upon him, and that neither
friendship nor any personal or po
Htical consideration has had an,
weight in his appointment. but that rns
same is made by me solely In the In.
terest of the city.