Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-12
between Two Dangers

60 far as 1t is possible to judge from the
~ restrained expressions Of members of the
councilmanic committee on charter revision,
the commission has decided in advance that
no charter changes so radical as to require
submission to the people should be attempted
at this time. The thought is, in general
way. that the necessary preliminaries would
consume too much time to permit the intro
duction of the completed and approved
charter AT the next session Of the General
Assembly.
We believe this to be a mistaken theory.
and are apprehensive that should Richmond
act on it and endeavor. without the concur
renee of the voters. to patch up the present
charter, that would prove to be mistaken
policy.
Patching, in the first place. is unlikely to
meet the situations needs. The charter that
the people want must agree with itself
each section with every other section-and
that result follows quite infreQuently any
process of legal tailoring of this description.
The patch nearly always is conspicuous and
uncomfortable as we'll
In the second place. the success of any
charter that could he devised or adopted de-
ponds very largely whether the people
want il. If the people do not approve the
changes in their organic law. if they are not
sufficiently interested TO desire to give the
new form of government fair and honest
tT!al. unueT nelp1ul auspices. failure may be
expected with good deal Of confidence
So far as appearances go, Richmond wants
chance TO see what a modern charter Is
capable of accomplishing but these appear
ances may be deceptive There may be no
majority sentiment here in favor of any re-
form whatever-thc ma jority sentiment in
deed may be in active opposition to all
change in the present methods of administer
ing the citys affairs. If the latter alterna-
two cNO no RI
would ne far better to abandon, for the time
the charter reform movement and wait until
a campaign OF educa ton, ombined. perhaps
with some bitter experience had led the
public 20 modify its views
Obviously, Richmond should take no
chances with the law and the courts when
the new charter is framed. We do not want
10 invite a lawsuit, instituted by some dis
gruntled ofFcehoder taxpayer, likely to
result in the complete overthrow, by judicial
decree, OF the system of government labori-
ously established and placed in operation
Lawyer members OF the charter revision COM
mittee say substantial reforms may be ef-
fected without the concurrence Of the people
but. in the light OF the constitutional proy-
sions the subject. it is difficult admittedly.
TO say with certainty just how far these re-
forms may go.
We would not place obstacles in the way
OF any changes in the city's charter from
wherever proceeding or however effected that
promise more efficient and economical adj
mnistration, but il is a duty to point out
some Of the difficulties and dangers OF the
plan that appears to be contemplated To
steer this reform bark between the Scylla of
futity and the Charybdis OF constitutional
inhibition would be rather delicate bit of
navigation; the passage might be negotiated
successfully, but take the liberty OF re-
serving modest and tentative doubt