The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-08


ly connected with the city's govern
ment. would knowingly support any
measure not for the best interests OF
the city. and 1t Is desirable that, when
the finished work Of the charter COM
mittee shall be submitted them for
their approval. it shaaI have as many
Legitimate objection may be urged as
rs possible to obtain.
1t seems certain that the ultimate
result OF the body's work viii be a
provision for an Administrative Board,
composed Of men who shall be by
training and experience properly
qualified for their especial spheres of
work, elected by the Council on the
nomination OF the Mayor, constituting
what might be termed a Mayors cabi-
net. and responsible Immediately TO
that official as executive head of the
city government. This Is the main
feature Of the Pollock plan. and con-
tains the essential elements Of nec-s-
sary reform looking 10 a proper CEN
trallzation of responsibility with
proper powers to meet the duties en-
tailed that the city government may
he administered in a business-like
manner.
Such q plan IS no more I'M Demo
cratic than the plan Of the Federal
government in which the people elect
their President. giving him me right
to name his own departmental heads,
subject 70 confirmation by the Senate.
1t would be manifestly unjust to the
President TO hold him responsible for
the proper conduct Of the government,
II he had no directing influence IN
placing the governmental machinery
in the hands of men whom he be-
neved capable Of operating it and
whom he could hold personally re-
sponsible for faithful and efficient
service.
In delegating their power to name
the Administrative Board to the Coun-
eli on the nomination OF .ae Mayor,
the people Of Richmond will wish to
be placed in a position to call to
Councilmauic service the very highest
type of citizenship. We take it that no
one will very seriously contend that a
system of ward representation is an
ideal one by any means, We haven't
in mind at all the existing Council
manic situation in Richmond. The
members of the body devote very
large amount Of valuable time. gratis,
to the public business and, in the
main, their service has been satisfac-
tory. But we believe no one will
gainsay the fundamental truth of the
declaration that the time has arrived
when Richmond should burst the
bonds and bounds Of old ward-lines
and be privileged 10 elect its Council
men at large, drafting to the public
service the most efficient mon obtain
able.
Ward -lne politics should be abolish
ed. In Richmond, as in every other
city in the country. It has resulted on
occasion in the placing Of men In
power who were utterly unworthy OF
public support. VINO, however. by rea-
son of petty local influence, We're able
10 secure their election for term after
term. The ward-heeler has been a
parasite on the body polite, the father
of graft the willing tool of the powers
that prey, at once the disgrace and
undoer of his city Richmond has
largely outgrown the petty ward line
feeling as has been demonstrated by
the reduction in the number of these
subdivisions to four Why have any
ward-lines? We commend to the
charter changers a very careful con-
sfderation Of this fundamental princi-
pie.
---------