The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-14

iof the city 1s dfsconnected from Tue
rest; the people have no easy, direct
way Of reaching the heart Of The city, and
are cut off from social or business inter-
course. Hence that part Of the city has
much vacant land, and such must SO continue
until they have way OF ,egress and ingress.
To prosper to its fun extent city should
have all its parts bound together by equal
advantages in conYeniences for trade and
travel. ,fg,.;5,f.> l.s-f ~ ...i.i ..:i .stsi.
This avenue would enable lstreet-cars to
be run to Church and, Union Hills, and
would 30 advance the improvement of
property and its price that the city would
be amply repaid in taxes for. the cost Of the
improvement. e.f,s, 81 s.tf.sa,.e:;t a,sl .lsl
But aside from increased tax. income, 1t
is q duty we owe that portion OF citizens to
see that they have equal privileges with
other parts OF the city, and that they re-
main no longer isolated when the relief is
so easy to give them. ss....5s
trust you viii speedily turn your atten-
tion to the completion OF q plan for fixing
grades beyond the corporate limits on the
main thorougbiares leading to the city, so
as to prepare for that extension OF build
ings which must soon be about our present
limits.
This grade, when fixed, should be re-
corded, so that parties building will have
notice OF proper lines and grades. and
blame themselves for any change the future
may demand of them. This may require
authority from the Legislature, which can
be readily obtained. and should be gotten
at this session. also urge on you to re-
quire the City Engineer to complete q plan
OF grades for all the streets OF the city in
side the corporation, for. like reasons as
given above. This you have the power to
do, and it should not be delayed, for the
city is building up too rapidly to justify
longer delay. These plans should also be
recorded for the guidance OF citizens.
Other cities have materially lessened the
cost OF streets out Of city funds, by appor-
tionins the cost in part to those owning
property in the vicinity OF any improve
ment made by the city. You might mature
some plan by which our city might profit,
as compared with the present way OF i'm
proving streets.
1t is often necessary that the keepers OF
reservoirs and public parks should have
power Of arresting. offenders and tres
passers when no policeman is accessible. I
suggest that you confer full police power on
these officers. ri r.e.-....
I will call your attention to the fact that
many small dealers, peddlers. and showmen
are not able to pay the heavy tax now re-
quired for license. a., s.
There seems to be no grades in this re-
gard to those classes. II you will grade
the tax to the extent Of business to be
done, many licenses would be taken which
are now declined.
Since your recent action, seeming to de-
eide the Mayor has no power to remove
employees, but only officers Of the city,
hope you may enlarge the power you con-
strue he has, or clearly define who are Off
GERS under the law. This may prevent dis
agreeable conflict in supposed authority Of
the Mayor and others claiming the same.
congratulate you on the satisfactory re-
suits Of your past legislation, and return
thanks to your honorable members and the
city officers for uniform kindness and cour-
tesy to me.
Respectfully submitted.
w. C. CARRINGToN, Mayor.