The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-12
None of Several Forms of Municipal Government in Operation
in Country Without Their Defects Careful Investigation
and Study Shows Charter Committee.
BUSINESS METHODS AND NOT
POLITICAL. CONSIDERATIONS
MUST BE BASE OF NEW PLAN
Committee Report Adopted by Board of Directors of Civic AS
socation Presents Briefly Outlines of Three Methods of
ncpa Control That Now Prevail in Different Cities Plan
Recommended Improvement on Other Forms.

that he Is recognized expert. or that
ne is qualified by training, experience
and executive ability for such office
or position. as the cause may be, and
unat they approve the appointment
Upon the filing OF this certificate,
the appointment shall become opera
tive. subject. however, to all provisions
of Law or ordinances in regard to ac-
ceptance OF office. oath Of office ana
filing of bonds
II the board does not within thirty
days after the receipt Of such notice
file said certificate with the clerk to
the Mayor, the appointment shall be
void.
Vacancies.
A vacancy in any office TO which
the foregoing provisions apply shall
be filled by the Mayor under said
provisions, and pending a permanent
appointment he shall designate some
other city officer to discharge the du-
ties Of the office temporarily.
Terms OF office.
Heads of departments and heads OF
divisions shall he appointed for term
of four years. beinninR on the day
from which their selection is approved
by the Public Efficiency Board, and
snail continue thereafter to hold OF.
flee during the pleasure OF the Mayor
or his successor.
There shall! be a clerk to the Ccun-
Gil. and n clerk to the Mayor, and such
office assistants as they deem nee-
essary, and a messenger connected
with the office, and the appointment
of eae., and all of these officers shall
not be subject TO the approval OF the
Gil shall have the right to appoint. and
at any time to remove the cler's to the
Council, and the office assistants APP.
pointed by the Mayor shall hold their
positions, at the pleasure OF the Mayor
There sshat be city Auditor elect.
ed by the Council for four years.
Election and Recall OF the Mayor.
The Mayor and the Council OF the
city of Richmond shall be elected al
large on the second Monday in Jan
uary and his and each of their terms
If office shall heain- an the lst day
of February of the same year.
AT the State election of the second
year OF the Mayors term there ss,sll
be printed by the proper officers. at
the end of the official ballot to be
used In the city Of Richmond. the fol-
lowing question. Shall there be m
municipal election, namely. on the
second Monday In January OF the next
year," with the words yes" and no"
at the right Of the question. and sur
ficient squares in which each voter
may designate by cross his answer
TO such question.
II majority OF the qualified voters
in said city at said State election shall
vote in the affirmative on said ques-
ton. there shall he an election for
Mayor OF said City at the municipal
election held in January next follow
ing said State election. and the same
shall he conducted. and the result
thereof declared in all respects as
other city elections for Mayor, except
that the Electoral Board shall place
on the official ballot for said election
without nomination. the name Of the
person then holding the once
Mayor fother than an acting Mayor
unless in writing he shall request
otherwise.
The Mayor then elected. whether
the incumbent or not, shall hold office
for four years from the said LIST OF
February. subject TO recall In the sec
ond year OF his term, as provided In
this section.
II the said question Is not answered
in rae affirmative by majority OF
those voting no election shall be
held. and the Mayor shall continue
to hold office for his unexpired term.
Reorganization Of Departments.
In the reorganization OF the admin.
istration OF the city the Mayor shall
divide one administrative functions
into departments. and shall select the
head Of each department
He shall divide the departments
into as many subdivisions as he may
deem necessary. and shall appoint q
hesd OF such subdivision, who shall
be known as the head OF Sub-Di-
vision. ....... of the Department
The Mayor shall have power to
transfer any OF the administrative
powers hitherto vested In the CITY
Council or either branch thereof. or
It's committees, or the Admtn'stratlve
Board. to tsae proper department. CT
division thereof. The Mayor may ~
any time reorkanize. divide ana sub
divide, consolidate or Abolish each or
any al said departments in whole or
in mart: transfer the duties, powers
concentrations Of one. department to
another. n whole or In part. and es-
u blish new departments: but no
trans3er Of an appropriation from ona
department to another, in whole or IN
part., shall be effective until approved
By the Council of the city by ordinance.
The person whose office Is abolished
shall have no right to demand or re-
ceive any compensation or salary
thereafter
Mayors Relation With the Council
The Mayor shall at all times keep
the City Council fully advised - 70
the financial condition and needs o.
fne city
He may at any time recommend 70
the City Council for adoption such or
dinances as She may deem nereaaaEy.
or expedient and for That purpose may
attend and address the City CouncI
in person or through the head 81 tne
department or a member of . board
selected by him for that purpose upon
such subject.
The City Council may NJ any Tins
request from the Mayor specific In
formation on any municipal matter
within its Jurisdiction. and may re-
quest his presence to answer written
questions relating thereto At meet.
Ing to be held not earlier than one