The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1915-10-01
SENTIMENT /. Is! 5.
TO ALLOW VOTE
OF REFERENDUM
Charter Commissioners Favor
Withdrawing Water and
Light Amendment.
MEMBERS OF COMMISSION
DEFER ACTION TO FRIDAY
C.. C.. Butler Makes Popular Sug-
gestion; McGhee Finds Little
Sentiment for. Change.

That the water and light bond pay
ment issue, which has been an obstacle
in the work Of the charter commits
sioners, should be allowed to go the
people as a separate proposition at
referendum election, if Is per cent
Of the voters desire an election, was
the sentiment at the commission meet
ing last night at the city hall. The
sioners, but final action on the matter
was deferred until Friday evening.
Fifteen members compose the COM
mission and larger attendance is ex-
pected at the next meeting.
Charles c. Butler suggested that
the water and light issue be left I'M
touched and his suggestion was popu-
lar. Secretary John D. Lamont fav-
ored Mr.. Buffers suggestion and
urged his colleagues to vote on the
matter at the meeting. Frank Hughes
opposed vote on the matter and his
motion to defer action until Friday
was supported by P. Coffey.
II can find little sentiment against
the present method of paying for the
water and light bonds," declared Com
missioner Butler. IF the people want
to have the bonds paid in whole or
part by general direct taxation, they
can decide at a referendum election.
Only Is per cent of the voters are re-
quired to petition for such an election
With the bond issue out of the way,
the charter will have a much better
chance to pass"
Commissioner R. J. McGhee agreed
with Mr.. Butler that there is little
sentiment in favor Of a change in the
bond payment. At present part of the
bond issue is paid by general direct
taxation and the remainder by the
earnings Of the water and light plant
Good for Politicians.
IF the bonds are paid by general
direct taxation, politicians running fol-
office will be elected on rider de.
clared Mr.. McGhee, who is also q
member of the city council, chairman
of the school board and a former can.
didate for mayor. ''They will favor
reducing the water and light rate ir
an effort to bait the voters. I believe
we should decide the amendment
proposition now. The people are not
light proposition, which is one import.
AM municipal udIIcI III tAe 1ASIOI
of the city,"
At first Chairman John Costin, Jr.
suggested that general direct taxation
pay for the bonds or that part Of the
bond issue be betrayed by the earnings
Of the plant and the rest by genera
direct taxation. Secretary Lamont
contended that the two propositions
would not be fair to the voters wh<
favor paying the entire bond issue by
the earnings of the plant. The PLAN
was purchased from the old Virginia
Electric & Power company and bonds
issued in the amount of $55O,OO0.
Chairman Costin agreed with othe1
members Of the commission that the
bond matter should be submitted tt
the voters at referendum election
if any change is desired, and it is
thought, that at the Friday meeting
the commissioners will decide to act
on the charter, without considering
bond payment.
A change was made in the charter
providing for primary election two
weeks before recall election.
The mayor will be required to fur
nish an itemized account of contingent
fund expenditures at the end of each
fiscal year. His fund will amount tc
$1,000 year.
A new section was added to the
charter, which provides that $4,000
may be spent in improving roads
within 10 miles of the city limits.