Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-11
Circulate Petitions Asking
Council to Call Charter
Election ---Board Mem
bers Disclain,.

New York Bureau OF Municipal Re-
search. whose survey will be presented
10 the Board OF Aldermen Tuesday
night. is being made through the cir
culation Of petitions requesting the
city Council to call special. election
TO determine whether the voters of
the city favor changes in the present
form Of municipal government. This
step. trom all appearances. ha; been
taken by the ''ins.'' since every pc
lated by city officials or employees.
In practically every section of the
city yesterday workers in the various
departments of the city government
presented petitions to tho voters ask
Ing their signatures. III many in
stances the papers were signed with
were made for Information as to the
oource OF the movement The impress
sion was also, created several times
the Civic Association. but emphatic
denial OF this organizations connec-
tion with the movement was made last
night.
pETITIONS CITY COUNCIL.
TO CALL SPECIAL ELECTION
The text OF the petition follows:
ITO the Council OF the City of Rich
mond:
I'VE. the under signed qualified voters
residing in the city of Richmond. do
hereby requc5t your honorable body
TO provide. by ordinance. for the hold
ing ot un election to determine Shall
this city take the necessary steps to
frame. and request that 1T be grant
ed. special farm of charter?'"
These petitions, which we've widely
distributed by city employees in all
sections of the city, are to be COM
pleted tomorrow. 1t was stated. by
tho capvnssers. and will be fled with
the Board of Ai6symen:,,lS its regulnr
injecting Tuesday night. at ,hisS same
meeting. III: Board will consider tile
survey reh6rt OF tho research bureau.
The sudden turn OF Developments yes
tcrday proved q bombshcll iiti the camp
OF those suppGrting the reform move
mcnt.
In political circles last night the
matter was discussed with the utmost
caution. Various reports as to tho
source OF the movement were circu-
lated but In no single instance could
any definite statements be obtained
The movement was originated in the
City Hall. 1t is definitely known, and
the city employees have been the prin-
cipai canvassers. They have declined
to make any statements, beyond the
fact that "a friend" had requested their
assistance. Each asserted that he be-
lieved 1t a step forward In placing the
matter before the people.
OTHER CITIES HAVE
ADVANTAGE OVER RICHMOND
The petition is drawn in accordance
with the provisions of Legislature for
the election of a charter commission
for cities with population of more
than 100000. and tho specific portion
OF the petition quoted is taken from
this act Of the General Assembly.
This law provides that the Council
of any city whose population exceeds
100000. when requested by petitions.
in duplicate filed In the office of the
Mayor, signed by % per cent of the
qualified voters. shall provide by ordi-
nance for the holding an election. to
take place NOT less than thirty days,
nor more than fifty days, thereafter.
to determine the question, Shall this
city take the necessary steps to
frame and request that 1t be granted
special form of charter?"
s. Al the same election there shall he
elected. the act provides. a charter
commission OF seven citizens elected
at largo. In event a majority of the
cualihcd voters favor change of
charter or new form OF government
then the election of the charter com.
mission shall be valid.
rms commission would then prepare,
IN open session. Il charter within 15o
days after it's election A copy of IN.
charter would be forwarded TO IN,
Judge OF tho Hastings Court. who
would call special election TO submit
1T to vote of the people. 1t would
be necessary for majority OF the
voters to ratify the plan, which must
then be presented to the General As
sembly and approved by that body.
REGARD REQUIREMENTS
OF ACT AS PROHIBITryE
1t was pointed out last night that
certain advantages would bo derived
to the "ins". in having councilmanic
action In the charter reform move
mcnt. Tho Civic Associa ton has al
ready intimatcd that il would place
tue matter before the people. anl to
mat cndi has requested charter
amendment reducing the requirements
as to the number of voters required
to call a special election for this pur-
pose. Under the present law, the petit
ttons must be signed by 25 per cent
of tho qualified voters. while In cities,
with population of less than 100000,
only 10 per cent of those voting in
the preceding election for Mayor and
Council is required. The law applic-
able to other cities was amended 80
as not to apply to Richmond, at tile
request of the. local delegation in the
General Assembly of 1915.
Officers OF The Civic Association de-
clare 1t impossible to secure tho re-
qutred number OF voters to call q,
special election. In certain quarters
the. belief was expressed last night
Continued son Sixth PaGo.J