The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-04
lDR. ANDERSON GIVES
REASONS FOR SURVEY
Osic Association Secretary Says That
People should Take Time to
AnAlyze Situation.
MAKES TALK TO YOUNG MEN
Declares That Financial Situation of
City Is Unfortunate and That There
Is Spirit Of Uneasinc<s About Some
Matters.

Dr. D. r. Anderson IN an address
yesterday morning before Q, A Haw-
kins' class of men at Seventh Street
Christian Church, devoted particular
attention to the question Of an ex-
tended electorate and the reasons why
a survey of the government OF Rich
mond is needed
He said while every body was talk
ing about our small electorate and
denouncing the non-voter. no one had
taken the trouble 20 analyIe the sit
nation. The professor declared that
at the earliest possible moment he In
tended making q careful study OF the
situation and writing statement on
the subject He was prepared, how
ever. to give an abstract Of his views.
OF course. no one could deny thar
refusal to exercise the franchise when
possible Is shameful and that the con-
ditien IN that respect In oar city 10
disgraceful yet little was accomplish
ed by merely stating and restating
this situation. There were among the
various causes three reasons in Rich
mcnd why men don't vote. First
from seifshness---a osorptton in their
own interests 70 the disregard Of COM
nunj.y interest. Second, the premium
which our system Of paying taxes
illustrated b. the unfortunate condi-
tion Of the last few days-puts on
failure to qualify for the suffrage: and
third, the fact that under our charter
no man Is really responsible for the
administration o! government and
elections are therefore not interesting
enough to draw The voter out What
Is called tire apathy OF the citizen 10
a symptom OF g disease confusing,
complicated and unintsresung system
of government The Civic Association
is working at the problem Of "arous-
ing the voter and will work at tt with
great viror az the proper time. II
stands reaGy 20 help any man or
group q men who have a con crete
program ~ simpl!7cation ~ our ma
ch,nery or taxation and government
that IS one of the essential steps in
extending our electorate
Quality Is Discussed.
In a!scussing the quality of results
which Richmond obtains, Professor
Anderson repeated what he makes II
a point TO say at every meeting. He
number Of able as well as patriotic
city officials He expressed IN par
ficuIar his commendation OF the city
auditor. who Professor Anderson said
has taken the attitude which an in
feiligent official should take. He also
raid that frequently the CITY Council
was blamed untustly Tho speaker
said he was no knoCker and was
ready to give every nan his due.
However, the financial condition of
the city Is unfortunate and there is
"A spirit of unea4siness of the citizens
with regard to many matters. In con-
sequence, Professor Anderson declared
that the dictates Of common sense,
self- protection, democracy. and pa
friotism demand a candid courteous
study of our conditions by non-pHrti-
san. experienced experts. That Is what
IS meant by an administrative survey
which the Civic Association desires
which all should desire. which he
hoped the City Council, alert to pub
lie opinion and the good OF the city,
would authorize.