The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-01-04
rha Measure for This Locality.

The Measure for This Locality.
The magnificent natural resources OF this
LOCALITY can never be fully brought into use
upon the best system until both sides Of the
river are brought under one government.
1t will take all the combined means, talents,
and energies of all the people here located,
and It will require this combination to put
en- end to jeslousies and the conflicts OF
petty rights to perform the work with en-
tire success.
This Is the point that deserves the patient
and comprehensive reflection OF the people
Of Manchester and of Richmond. What ism
the name? Should man In Manchester
object to the name when he may secure for
that side of the river degree Of prosperity
and enterprise absolutely impossible unaef
the exclusive administration Of Manches'
terf
Look at the water power. Is II pos
sible to make it ali in the highest degree
available with the present conflicting rights
to obstruct any plan for that purpose! The
minor interests will obstruct the general
interests, and those minor interests afford
NO compensation for thus obstructing the
greater. They do not grow themselves
while holding back the general welfare.
But make one great corporation control the
whole, and neither side of the river will be
30 preferred as to rob the other Of the adj
vantages peculiar to it. Above all, an
impartial and wise plan for concentrating
the water power-say, for instance, by
great dam above the city-can be adopted,
and tie motive power can be used on both
sides according to the advantages each has
for its employment.
So Of other matters-streets, water, gas,
public schools and edifices. All will take
the form Of vigor and elegance commensu'
rate with great city, and new spirit OF
Improvement be impaired on all hands.
We cannot see how there should be two
opinions upon a proposition so plain. 1t
has been the custom. as we have said be-
fore, for communities outside of large
towns, and stuck upon the border, to OPP
pose annexation. But we do not remember
q case in which, after q long struggle, they
were not annexed. Could not Manchester
profit by the lesson? But she should not
need the lesson. Her interests are too plain
to require it. There Is not one good Argyll
ment In her case against annexation. and
there are innumerable reasons in favor
Of It.
AS to taxation-which will be discussed
by our neighbors rs it ever has been by all
communities opposing annexation-that is
but bugbear. There is really nothing in
It. The reasonable meaning of t:iXatior is
the imposition Of burthens for benefits
conferred /: for comforts, for security, for
roads, and the. many things which govern
ment devises for the people. We know no
taxation which is more generally based
upon this principle than that which is as
sessed by cities. And we may say with
truth that the taxation in Manchester,
were she annexed, would be assessed upon
this fair rlan.. The disposition would be to
treat her forbearlngly, as newcomer into
the family, and the danger would be that
she would be petted. Under the system Of
tactics in modern legislation she would be
power In the city. Her representatives
could combine with the wards most farora-
BILE TO her, and she would thus be amply able
to protect herself.
But Of course there would be terms OF
annexation, and such terms, we are sure,
could be agreed upon as would be just to
both the parties to the compact.
We feel deeply the importance of this
movement, and we say that we are not
urged to its discussion by any suggestion
from beyond the river. 1t is upon our own
motion. The time is critical. Great events
are near at hand, and the share of Manches.
ter in their benefits depends upon annexa-
ton. Her corporation is nothing with re-
gard to really great measures. 1t repre-
scnts neither numbers nor power. And Gun
1t be supposed that the government of Rich
mond will devote its labors and Its means to
improvements beyond its limits and where
1t has no authority?
Now, then, il the people on the South
side would be wise and avail themselves Of
the advantages Of annexation In their day
and time-the extension and improvement
of their city, the enhancement of the value
Of their real estate, and giving life and bus
tie and fruitful enterprise to their side of
the riyer-let them annex their town to
Richmond at an early day. If they don't,
they will only postpone these benefits for
those who come after them, when the mea-
sure cannot possibly do as much good for
Manchester and secure for it so large
share of benefits of public measures here as
1t will at this time. They ought to be
wise. Many Of them came of good stock.
Let them take an enlarged and not micro.
scopical view Of their interests, and six
months will not elapse before Manchester
and Richmond are one.
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The Political Field.
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