The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-30
Extravagant Arguments.

inverse ratio Of their Willingness TO pa! ioi
it. IL they might go unit they will excuse
themselves for not going eren mat ny con-
tending that tho project will involve tile
expenditure OF hundreds or thousands. Ana
SIS they always maintain this relation between
their iberality and the cost OF everything
that is proposed, they are always found III op-
POSITION to every scheme. They stand IN the
way Of promoting their own comfort ana
wealth as well as everybody elsc's
In illustration: 1t is put forth, by way OF
alarm, that the grading of Main street from
Fourth to Eighth will cost Il million to mil
lion and a half of dollars. The entire pro-
perry embraced in the district to be improved
can be bought for half the money, we sup
nose. upon a very liberal estimate; and as
the property in that district would he III
creased in value from % to % and leo per
cent. the cost of the work will be more than
paid by the enhancement.
This cost, separated from damages 10 prop
erty, would be mere bagatellc. The steam
stone-breaker purchased by the city recently
cost more money than will the grading from
Fourth to Eighth street. very competent
engineer, upon the hypothesis that fifteen
feet should be taken of ut the intersection of
Main and Fifth streets in the process OF the
grade, estimated the cost Of the removal OF
the earth from Fourth to Eighth ut $4,000.
OF course the grading on the cross streets
will have to be added to that. 1t would hardly
more than double this sum; but say $4,000
will pay the cost of grading. Now, where is
your million and half dollars to come
from? Would to God the property in this
district were were worth Il million and
half; but, as it is not, we cannot perceive
that it would be beneficial to the city or the
cause of truth and justice to say so.
Possibly Mr.. HoDsoS's beautiful residence,
at the corner of Fifth and Main, might he
more injured than any other property. Yet
we predict that that property will be more
enhanced in value than any other by the
grinding, except possibly, Mrs. ALLAN's.
The city can make money by buying both
ut a fair present valuation, and selling them
after q new and civil grade is established.
Their owners would bc offended were we to
attempt to set value on those lots and
houses. and it is not necessary for argument
that we should. Any man can do it for him.
self. Let him fix it ut what he pcascs, and
then let him take Mr.. DUSLor's fine residence
and estimate that and when he has done that
let him see where he can make his million
and half of damages. 1t is all stuff and
flabbergast.
Any disinterested practical gentleman, we
are sure, will concede, after he learns the
contemptbly small cost of grading the
street, that the increase in the value of the
property upon regarded streets will greatly
more than pay the cost of grading them. We
believe that the rule in all wcll-goYerncd
enterprising cities about regarding is to as
sess the damages to property upon the pub
lie treasury, and to deduct theretrom the
benefits to be derived by the property from
the regarding. These matters to he as
sertained by impartial arbiters. Ascertained
In this way, the cost Of regarding Main street
in manner demanded by the commerce and
social intercourse of the city will be trling,
indeed, compared with the enduring benefits
Of the grading to the city.
1t is ever the fate of projects for the pub
lie good that they are opposed because ndi-
viduml injury in few instances is appre-
hended from them; and thus is the comfort
OF few set up asa barrier against promoting
the comfort and welfare Of many thousands.
In the majority of cases the injury to the
few is merely imaginary. They share alike
with others the good that flows from wise
improvement, besides getting remuneration
for the estimated injury they individually
sustain in the process OF promoting the pub
lie convenience and the welfare of trade. III
the great bulk of such cases the damages
awarded are excessive, and the grumblers
make by the award.
What are the interests, the wishes--the
prejudices, we may add-of very few men
to the public good of prospecting and
growing city of many thousands? As no.
thing. The few men are always compelled
to give way for the general good. 1t is II
tacit understanding when man goes to
must be subordinated to the corporate regu-
lations and necessities. He is reminded every
day of this; and the justice Of il is i'll this:
those regulations are for his safety and COM
fort, and the promotion of his prosperity.
Many, to-day, are subjected to expense
and compelled to accommodate themselves,
against their will, to the public order, safety,
or necessity and tomorrow he will in turn
have to submit in like manner.
When we remember these plain truths it
appears very absurd for gentlemen to say this
man or that man will have his beautiful pro.
perry disfgured, and his fue house disorderd,
and the reyered old chm cut down, etc. Such
talk is childish. Men come to the city for
their own good, and they must readily ac-
auiesce i'm what is demanded for the public
good. It is the clear and undeniahle con-
tract completed upon his becoming citi-
zen.
But how al surd to think that a great CON-
munity must sn bmit to a great evil, because
its removal will disturb the comfort Of an
individual, or sever, II of them! Should thou
sands be compelled to Universe steep for
centuries because ind. viduals object to cut
ting II down. Men dix communities sur
yiye thenl.-maa's life is 1ephemeral, that Of
continues for ages. The work
Of reducing the sleeps Is Is .smail one--the
damages are rs nothing eolgp. ired to the