Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-17

engaged. 1t was glorious day for American
arms, and in the further fighting, we may
rest assured, new achievements end added
glory will crown their efforts.
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What Charter Changes Mean to Richmond
r is scant three weeks before citizens Of
/ Richmond will DO called upon to go to
the polls and by their ballots accept or reject
changes in their City Charter proposed by the
City Council and authorized by the General
Assembly. Up to the present time theyo has
been apparent apathy the part Of the
people generally, only those who for the sake
of an efficient, modern system of government,
and those who for other reasons more Or
less vital to themselves hope to defeat the
proposed changes, showing proper interest
in this highly important matter.
The time which enSues between now and
August must be a time of education il the
people are to be aroused to an adequate
conception of what tho changes mean and to
a sense Of their duty in registering their
wishes at the polls To conduct such a cam
pafgn is the obligation Of Richmond's
leaders in civic affairs. That obligation dis
charged as it will be, it will be up to the
voters. And it may be said that they will
deserve only what they get. If by their
failure 10 go to the polls or by their votes
they help to defeat the charter amendments,
then 1t will be theirs to continue to live and
conduct their busnessj under the crude, out
grown instrument which to-day serves them
as charter. If their citizenship stands the
test, then Richmond will have chance to
grow and prosper under a proper business
administration.
1t is no untried path upon which it is now
sought to have Richmond enter. The way
has been pointed by other progressive cities
and Richmond is one OF the few in which the
people still cling to the governmental habili-
ments Of their forbears on the assumption
that what was good enough for them is
good enough for us There can be but one
valid objection to the proposed changes on
the part of students of municipal govern
ment, and that is that they do not go far
enough. But this is a conservative COM
munity and makes its changes SLOWLY
Those proposed are sufficient TO substitute
efficiency for ineficiency, centralized govern
ment for the present loose system, and
modern business methods for ones long
Anticipated. They will place responsibility in
a central head whose authority comes direct
from the people, and must answer to them
for the conduct OF their affairs. They will
substitute for the Administrative Board
which long ago proved it's uselessness,
bureau OF department heads, thus saving an
nually large sum to the taxpayers and at
the same time promoting cooperation and
lney VIII substitute rigid
economy for the waste which has character
lied municipal dealings in past years, and
they will make impossible such laxness OF ad-
mlnlstration as recently resulted in q scaiNial
which shamcd the city at home and dsgraced
it abroad.
These are few OF the things that the
proposed changes will effect and the Cit,
Council asks that the people make them pos
siD!e by their votes. They are neither radical
nor experimental. They do not go nearly SO
lar as some adopted and found good by other
municipalities. But each one has been tried
and proved by its results, and the Council
has taken only those which, judged from
their practical workings elsewhere it be-
leves most suited to Richmond's needs
The campaign will be brief but no less
SPIRITED The result may be close There
are those in every community who oppose
progress in whatever form it may be pre-
sented; those who skcptical OF anv change
lest IT benefit few 10 the detriment of the
many; those who cling to the old lest under
the new they be deprived OF their personal
and financial benefits; and those who, either
through apathy or lack OF information are
not interested The last class is by far the
most dangerous TO good government and it
Is the most difficult TO reach. This is the
class that must be reached and aroused TO
the performance of its intelligent dutv be-
fore August g.