Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-04
Clearing Way TO Charter Reform

e ROM Tuesdays election for the office of
commemorative Attorney. whether the
result be approved or disapproved. en,erges
one obvious and Illuminating fact. 1t is that
the people OF Richmond no longer can be con
trolled by considerations OF political regularity
on strictly local issue They think for them
selves and decide for themselves. The moral
is that II they think they require new and
workmanike city charter that discourages
waste and encourages efficiency and economy
they will decide To get it--and then get it,
The Times Dispatch, despite the turbulence
of those intrenched i'll office and the pessinsm
OF many good citizens depressed and dis
heartened by past disappoinments. has fClt no
lack OF confidence that the right sort OF char
ter would be obtained. 1t has thought il per-
ceived and understood the temper % this
people. aroused ~ last 10 understanding.
Surely. Tuesdays result affords abundant
vindcation of the correctness OF this view
II is obvious also that the efforts OF the
Registration Association have borne fruit. and
that men who had not previously concerned
themselves in politics took the trouble 10 "a
TO the polls. The unexpectedly large vote. rs
we'll rs the manner oi its distribution over the
city and division between the candidates re-
vsaied new and vigorous element OF the
voting population.
There is no reason why Richmond should be
satisfied with any form OF city government
other than the best. There is no reason why
Richmond should endure any admiuistraj ton
of its municipal affairs. other than the best
There IS no reason why il should elect TO
publ" office any save the hest man available
for every post that is to be filled. The advice
10 make the hest OF Il bad job and TO com
promise with the protagonists OF waste is the
counsel not OF wisdom. but OF despair. It
is unworthy OF any self-respecting people and
doubly unworthy OF this people
Tuesdays election will have its effect on
the Council Charter Change Commission and
on the Council itself. Ii will be surprising if
the Council fail 10 facilitate and indorse the
demand that the General Assembly set Rich
mond free from the letters by which the
city now is bound. We shall expect from
Council vigorous approval of this movement
but should that reasonable expectation be
disappointed. it would serve only TO increase
public Interest and intensity popular zeal
Democracy, with all OF its irlpericctions
and disabilities, that those who most love il
best realize. has way OF profting even by
It's mistakes. Il was the mistake OF the
Board OF Police Commissioners in visiting
private vengeance on q detective sergeant that
started the present revolt. and il was the mis-
take however Well intended OF the City
Democratic Committee in exercising a privi-
!ege the voters did not think should be eNcr-
c!sed that gave the revolt direction and force
Bat, whatever the cause. the result is plain
Richmond is awake, and not likely to go TO
sleep again II will have the charter best
calculated 70 advance its prosperity and as
sure lis happiness. and those who stand in
the way are due TO undergo Il most unhappy
experience II the road 10 charter reform is
not cleared. il soon vii! be, and all the exist
ing mpedments would do well TO watch their
step