The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-02-07
Street Commissioners.

OF all Socu men.
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Street Commissioners.
We regret that the bill establishing 'ns
Office of Street Commissioner was relec'eu
bv the Council at its last meeting. 1t shouio
have been treated sincerely and intelligent'y
by the Council os measure necessary 'of
this CITY, and members should have endea-
yored to modify the features OF the Dill OBJ
iectionablc to them. But the summary re-
lection of such n measure, without dellbcra-
ton and without attempt to perfect 1t, is alb
solutely damaging to the reputation OF. this
city. Enlightened and experienced city COM
munties know that street commissioners, as
permanent, paid officers, with well-dcfned
and obligatory duties, arc Indispensable in
all cities having any prosperity. or even pre-
tensions to prosperity. Such communities
will look upon the act Of the Council as
strange; or they will say this old-fashioned,
old-fogy city Of Richmond is content with
old ways--she doesn't want to be disturbed
by the improved and moro expeditions
modes of getting along-the "shayc-tail mule
and niger interest" is yet In the ascendant.
We trust that better disposition will yet
prevail in the Council, and that that body
will shield Richmond from the ridicule
which is provoked by some pecgliarities in
her government. Be it remembered that
new phase in her affairs is now presented.
We are looking forward to q great reVolu-
ton here in our commerce and in our manu-
featuring enterprise. and the Improvement
of the city should keep pace with events,
and we should profit in q wise and liberal
manner by the example Of other cities noted
for their rapid growth and intrepid enter
prise. >r
With regard to the bill itself, much objec-
ton was made to the feature which made the
city and property-holders on each side of an
improved street equally responsible for the
cost Of the ipprovement-that is, that each
of the three should pay third of that cost.
Il is question we have not studied; but we
should say that the usage IN flouriShing cities
should settle that point. The precedent
they have set should be safe one.
One feature we most decidedly object to,
and that is the provision that requires vote
of two.thirds of the Council TO authorize an
Improvement which is objected to by ma
iority of the property-holdcrs Immediately
upon the street where it is proposed TO make
the improvement. Philosophically, those citi-
zens are incompetent to give an unbiased
opinion upon the subject; and if anybody
save the street commissioners is to be con-
suited the jury in the case should be sum-
moncd from amongst those who have
no property on the street to be i'm
proved: disintcrested sons. IN such a
such case 4she llurest and best of men can-
net net be trusted. Pertinent to tie point we
have in one of the best monthies that comes
to our table an elaborate article G. early show
ing tho amazing extent to which mems
minds are biased by their Interests.
We affirm that streets are graded and
otherwise improved for the public good, and
private interests should never be allowed to
obstruct, or even retard, them. Commerce
and social intercourse, the compacting and
invigorating Of the spirit and energies, the
wealth and resources OF city, demand that
all its parts should be easily accessible to one
another. A city where they are not is ever
distracted by claus, and its means frittcred
away in the wrangling Of the sections.
So in the great object Of uniting and harmo-
| nizing all parts by easy ways to all, the mere
| private interests here aud there should not
be thought of. TO allow them to interfere
| is to inAict the most serious injury on all
The little hill society whose prcjudces and
selfshness may be disregarded to-day may
find tomorrow its compensation in the over.
riding Of the narrow-mindedncSs OF the So
ciety of peighboring hiilock and the
making Of IN Improvement long desired by
them and needed by the whole city. Each
In succession must yield for the good Of all,
and each will lind itself more than amply
compensated for the sacrifice it may have
made by the promotion of its comfort and
expedition the moment 1t gets beyond its
own little dunghil.
Gentlemen, the street commissioners are
absolutely necessary in Richmond. For the
sake Of the public good let us have them.
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