Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-17
IL Could Not he Trusted

result? The Council betrayed that trust.
tramplcd the public interests into the mud
Of petty politics, and struck progressive gov
eminent III Richmond a singing blow in
the face.
1t IS folly to say that the action of the
Common Council in reversing itself and de-
fca,ng the ordinance designed TO enable
the Mayor TO secure and retain broad
gagged, big-risoncd men for heads OF de-
rarments was base, on any real desire to
safeguard the public treasury. No question
OF money was involved despite any state
ments TO the contrary that may have been
made by individual Councilman They
know what was i'll their hearts when they
voted No, and the public will know AL
ready IL scents the motives underlying the
fight against the ordinance. The public
knows, too, that the $4,000 year addi-
iionai in salaries the ordinance would have
provided. an amount that is trivial in com
pariSon with what the directors already
have saved To the city treasury. and with
the future interests Richmond has at stake
in the conduct OF these departments was
not one OF those motives And when the
public does come TO know fully how il has
been made the victim OF cheap ward poll
tics, its welfare made n councilmanc play
thing and tho bars Of nigGardlincss raised
against its material progress il Is going to
demand an accounting with stcrnness that
must be needed.
Already the public is asking. Why? The
public knows in n general way that GER
tain reactionary element in tho Council in
defiance of the law and the public will, is
seeking to unhorse tho Mayor and tear the
appontivc power i1cm his hands. in which
it was lodged by the charter
But the public would 20 further Il
would know what influences have been at
work 10 overturn the lower branch. an in
fucncc SO potent as to cause the reversal
OF its own former vote. 1t is asking why
James L. Dickerson. who apparently carries
the Jefferson Ward delegation in his vest
pocket. would be willing to increase the
pay OF every city employee beneath the grade
OF director, but the directors never II is
asking why Clarence y. Seaton, who not so
long ago was so impressed with the splendid
service rendered 10 the city by two OF the
directors that he was willing TO give them
$4,000 year, suddenly reversed his
attitude and voted against the ordinance
II IS asking why two other Councilmen, on
record as favoring the ordinance, went over
10 the opposition The questions are at
least pertinent, and the changes are signin-
cant. The public would know OF that
year ago the Council asked that it be
trusted. Now. in the face OF its own be-
trayal II repeats its plea. II would revive
the vicious circle which gets nowhere lie,
the appointments be made" ii sayc as
voiced by Mr.. Dckerson. and let the de-
partments be brought TO the hghes, stan
dards of efficiency whore promotion will be
warranted That is what 1t said a year
ago when ii asked that room be left for
the reward of merit" If tho Council be
taken at its word and the appointments
made. what assurance, except a word that
already has been broken, would there be
that il would be kept in this instance?
The Council will be trusted again thus
far \ majority OF both branches at one
time or another has voted TO approve the
ordinance. Some OF Rchmond's most rem
rcsentative. progressive men have seats in
the Council. They will be trusted 10 keep
up the. fight against the forces which seem
determined TO undermine the city govern
Inent and Keep Richmond in the small-town
class. lhcy will he trusted 10 give loval
vigorous battle against the insdious ward
politician when his ambition runs counter
TO the city's best interests and in such a
battle they will have. rs they have had in
me past. all the support this newspaper
can give them. The Times Dispatch believes
THAT the battle will be won, even if IL reaches
the point where an obstructive Council is
forced TO give way before Richmonds de
iAand for u more modern. Il moro cNicien,
form Of government
Discovered! London has the American
cocktail habit. We knew some one had
purloined il.
Political gossip says coming session OF
Congress will do nothing. Thereby main
/ tanning its record.
Texas train breaks down when President
erect gets aboard, and still no one had re-
safd"d him as a heavyweight
| Court holds that widow OF Greek King
was legally we'd; in other words there was
| no monkey business about that ceremony.
Mrs Coolidge Is said to he an exper, Mo
/ MAKER, wherein she may be of more helm
/ TO The administration than her husband
IN the iish, of Armisticc parade deyel.
I opmcnts. one is constrained To vary mar an