The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-10
CHARTER CHANGES

Continued From First Page.)
which projections may be had at any
time If the people, themselves SO wish,
II liz generally believed that latent in
terest in the work of the government
may be aroused in the breasts of the
people. 1t Is believed that this alone
will awaken the people TO their duty
as citizens, and will impel them to
fortify themselves with the right to
vote. SO that only the best men may
he chosen to fill the elective offices.
Main Changes Proposed.
The principle items in the proposed
change are here summarized:
Abolition of the Police, Fire and
Health Boards.
Place the Police and Fire Depart
ments under control OF the Mayor.
Puts the Health Department under
control of the Administrative Board,
Gives members of the Fire AND
Police Departments life tenure in
Office.
Makes the Mayor the chief executive
officer of the city government,
Prohibits the authorization Of con-
tracts exceeding the sum of 500 by
any board or head of department.
without. FIRST submitting same 10 the
city Auditor. who shall state In
@ElLlHR WNeInt1 iitIs are SaiilAiEIAt
funds for the payment of such con-
tract or order.
Declares all CounCilmen ineligible
for appointment to Office under the
Administrative Board during tenure
of office OF for one yeaf+th thereafter
K Franchises Up To Voters.
Provides that att leases. franchises.
or rights to the use of city streets, ex-
icept as they apply To trunk lines, must
be submitted to a vote of the people.
Enlarges the terms of members Of
the Administrative Board to five years
after 1919.
All duties of executive or admins
trative character now exercised by
Council committee are to he con-
ferred upon the Administrative Board
Appropriations for any year must he
within IS per cent of the estimated
revenues for that YEAR. Five per cent
to he set aside as an emergency fund.
Appropriations for maintenance of
various departments TO be made in
lump sum.
Requires the auditor to submit TO
the Administrative Board in the
month of January an estimate necea-
sary, as nearly as possible. to defray
the expenses OF the city government
for the succeeding fiscal year. And
not more than 81 per cent OF the
amount shall he expended for the
fiscal year for which such appropria-
tions are made. and no other appro-
priations shall he made during the
year. except for payment of portions
OF the city debt or for the payment OF
a temporary loan, except by four,
hfths vote of City Council
Creating purchasing agents for the
Police and Fire Departments
Giving City Council the right TO es-
taelsh magistrate. courts at the vari-
Gus station houses for tho trial OF mis-
demeanors
Charter Commission.
ffobabi the most important
achievement of the special committee
was the adoption of the bill asking for
an amendment to the charter by which
the people may elect charter COM
mission of seven citizens. who are to
frame measures for the amendment of
the charter at any time at which 1t
may seem desirable.
Upon petition of 70 per cent of
the qualified voters at any previous
election. the Judge of the Hastings
Court may call special election, at
which election seven citizens are to
be chosen to frame the proposed bill
of amendments This measure is then
to be submitted to the people. and If
adopted by them on Il majority vote. the
succeeding Legislature is to be re-
quested to ratify the paper, after which
II becomes a law
This paper will come up as a sepa
rate document at the meeting tonight.
1t Is believed there will be little debate
on this question, and that Ii will be
adopted by Council as it comes from
the committee.
There has been some gossip going
the rounds TO the end that there will
be great opposition to the proposed
amendments at the meeting tonight.
Members of Council who have ex-
pressed disappointment with some OF
the proposed amendments, II Is said,
have concluded to withdraw opposi-
tton
II IL believed. therefore. that unless
some strong and unexpected initiative
is taken. the opposition will not ma
terialfze.
A large gallery is expected at the
meeting tonight. Members OF the Civic
Association will be on hand in force
20 obserye the work OF Common Coun-
cii And m anniaasd 81 thu pruner my