The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-04

TUE RESOLUTIONS OF The COMMON
Co1ySCIL DEFEATED BY A TIE VOTE, &C.
4 called IN, etirg of the Board Of Alder
men was held yesterday afternoon at 5
o'clock TO consider the proposition to SUBJ
mi, 10 the qualified voters OF this city the
question OF appropriating SI50,000 on the
mart OF the city 10 aid in building q rail-
road up the JamcS-River Valley. PreSi-
dent Meredith occupied the chair. Present:
Mcssrs. Barksdale, Bass, Beall. Cabell, Can
non, DickerSon, Forester, Gray. Kelly,
Iipscomb Scott, Smith, Todd, Wagner,
and Williams.
Mr. Bus. stated that Mr.. Gasser was ab-
sent from the cry.
4 number of prominent citizens and
merchants were present, among thcnl
Nessrs. Franklin Stearns, Thomas w. Nc
Carce, \. L. Elicit, w. II. Palmer, Edward
Cohen. J. L. N. Curry, S. w. Harwood, A.
Y. Stokes, A. r. Courtney. and z. II.
S,arkc. besides number OF the members OF
The Common Council and Major John w.
Johnston, Of the James River and kanawha
COMPANY, Mr.. Fl. ID. Whitcomb, and 9TH
ers.
The resolutions adopted by the Common
Council were read by the clerk.
On motion OF Mr.. Todd, the committee
other citizens were invited to address the
Board.
Colonel W. II. Palmer, member OF the
Board OF Public Interests, was the first
speaker. He made an argument in favor
Of the scheme referring to the fact thst the
great Jancs-Riye Valley is the backbone
or the State, and that ii Richmond desires
hereafter to increase her water-power
and acquire the docks, &C., it will cost
&t, O. oh
proposed 20 subscribe to this road and
which will give her control OF eight mil
lion dollars worth OF property. He then
went on &c rev:ew the arguments hereto
fore made IN behalf OF the scheme.
Major Johnston spoke next. He made q
personaI explanation, and then proceeded
10 give in detail the importance OF compile
ting the Buchanan and Cifton-Forge rail
way ard the line to Richmond down the
valley. He said il the road was not built
to Richmond the people In the upper coun-
try would look to Lynchburg. Ii the road
will pav-and be believed it would-then
Richmond can afford 10 build IT. If she
don't nobody will. lie next went over the
arguments which he had made SO forcibly
before the Common Council.
Mr. II. d. Whtcomb next read an inter-
estiRg paper prepared by him for party OF
gentlemen in New York, on the resources OF
the James River Valley.
Rev. j. L. NJ. Curry, D. D., By inyitation
addressed the Board in opposition to the
proposed appropriation and against the ten
dencr Of corporations 10 create enormous
debts, inyolYing increased taxation. Taxa
ton beyond the actual necessities Of the gov
ernmeat. he ccntended, is wrong and rob
berry, s&d Il coHtiscation OF the property and
moneS OF the people. The tendency OF mu-
nicipaI governments in the past ten or ff-
teen Years had been to increase to an eror-
nous degree their debts, and this is
one OF the sorest evils OF the ceautry.
He denied that it came within the
scope Of the legitimate functions OF tie City
Council 20 appropriate money to build
railroad. It had been said this road will
pay-pay handsome dividends. Ought the
people be taxed to enrich the government?
lie thought not. he believed in 4 rich
people and a poor government. 1t had
been said that great benefit will accrue to
Richmond from the Investment. II this be
true, why may not the city purchase to-
bacco-factorv or 4 four-mll and manufaS-
iure tobacco aud -four: He spoke Of the
principle involved in this matter, and at
considerable length. This is no report OF
his speech-merely one or two OF the points
made, and which were elaborated with
great force.
General Anderson followed on the other
side, and expressed surprise at the remarka-
BILE argument and astounding propositions
laid down by DR.. Curry. He was amazed
20 hear that, because the taN-payers-the
property-owners OF the city--desired to vote
additional taxation upon themselves, that
81 is robbery. General Anderson spoke
briefly, concluding by expressing the hope
mat the Board would submit the question
10 the people.
Alr. Stcarrs advocated the appropriation
on the ground that for $4,000 OF annual
'hIerest we would gain property worth i've
,lmes the appropriation OF $50, 1000; that
VIC could control the great Valley OF the
Games; that great road will be secured to
Us over which freight will be brought at
one hith the rates charged by other roads.
ne would undertake to build the entire line |
noa Richmond TO Clifton Forge for two |
Mliaon dollars. We must have this road. |
ne would go in for economy, but we must |
nave this road. He spoke very warmly in
auYocaey OF his pet scheme.
Mf. /. Il. Starke followed Mr. Stearns,
Dut 10 opposition TO the scheme. He drew
.ae attention OF the Board to the weight |
'aat would be giyen to the proposition by |
,othg TO submit it to the people. BE |
;poSe also of the development Of the iron I
t"uesest, and read an extract from Lynch
MtsgS paper 10 the effect that the Virginia
t.ssluiand road had contract to send five
.ItY,osand carloads Of fron-ore from River
ssn'e, on the eaaal, 10 Pittsburgh. This |
ns. s eited TO show that we didn't want that
thss here. Whenever any proposition like
,nsa uts comes up that will pag. private means
nh palid it. There are millions OF money
- Iu me country awaiting investment.
tho ~. a. l.. Elicit took busiaess view OF
sa,a o.. sehsme, and on that view made his ar
feras, h. sor the road. He felt great In.
taiue Of the James River VALLEY and az ifs trade
"a Tue clty OF Richmond. Years ago it was
'SS,,, s.asce s.a irom which we got nearly all Of
off saae. saaGe. Now. much OF 1t has been eas /
- 'sssnse Of tbs more enserprtsing tines