The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-04
MANCHEs EB All !. Mex J 4 TON o
wnas Rfessnnopa WIN esnin by inc
I Coalition.

~ 4
Coalition.
REPORT or THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF
TtiE Coi5NcIL aoyER THE RIVER ON
THE PROPOSED UNION OF THE two
t,ITIEs-FACTs. AND FIGURES as To THE
RESOURCES AND OF NAN.
CHESTER o THER CITIES HAVE
AIMED ny ANNExATIoN- WATER-
POWER OF RICHMOND AND MANcHEs-
TEg-ToPoGRkPHICAL RELATIONS or
THE TWO crTIEs-THE SAVING TO BE EF-
FECrED, BY UNION OF THE TWO CITIES,
&C., &C.,
The Joint committees OF the Councils OF
Manchester and Richmond, who have bad
under consideration for some time past tue
question of anhexiug the two cities, will
meet this afternoon In the Richmond Coun.
ell chamber a. 6 O'Clock. In order that the
members OF the committees and the two
Councils may be fully informed as to the
views of the Manchester committee on the
question OF consolidating the two munich
palities. we print below the full text OF the
report OF the Manchester committee:
The committee appointed by the CoraciI
of Manchester to confer with the comEi1ftee
appointed by the Council OF Richmond, at
the invitation OF the Council OF Manchester,
touching the matter OF consolidating the
two cities into one municipality, in response
to The resolution adopted on the - day OF
49,, 1879, by the joint committees 80 mp.
pointed, respectfully report as follows:
j This committee proposes to the Joint
comphtce, subject of course to the appro-
val of the Councils OF the two cities, the
following plan and terms OF union-pre-
missing that it is advised that any plan
agreed on must be conSummated by an act
OF tue General Assembly:
T. The Councils OF the two cities shall
concur 10 asking the General Assembly, al
its next session, TO pass an act, hereafter to
be prepared, containing, among minor de-
tails necessary to perfect the measure, the
following Stipulations and provisions:
1. Manchester islto be merged into the
city of Rithmond; ana shall for prescribed
period, as hereinafter stated, constitute one
ward of that city.
Q. Consequently, Richmond shall acquire
all the property and assets OF Manchester,
and become liable for All its obligations.
8. For five years next ensuing the first
dav Of January, 1880, the addition thus
made to the city Of Richmond shall consti'
tute but one ward thereof. entitled 10 like
representation in the government OF the city
with other wards thereof.
4. For The like perodrof FIVE years next
ensuing the first day of January, 1882, there
shall be expended within the limits so added
,fu ~ oh
improvements and other proper purposes
annually the sum OF - dollars; but
this annual expenditure shall not exceed,
for the period so named, the sum so named,
unless during such interval for any year or
years the net revenues derived from the
limits so added shall exceed the said SUN OF
- dollars. In the event of any such
excess, the amount OF such excess shall be
similarly applied. t
The foree ding provisions and restrictions,
if placed, rs we ere willing they should be,
in the act OF the Legislature concentrating
the annexation, their observance will be-
come legally obligatory and Indispensable,
and cannot be changed by any idle and use
less application to the city government.
II an agreement on these more important
matters is reached, the act OF Assembly re-
rerfcd to would Of course contain other
necessary provisions looking to the eXtinc-
ton of the machinery OF the city govern
ment of Manchester, and its absorption into
the corporate existence Of Richmond.
1t would provide, also, the manner in
which the inhabitants Of the added terri
tory should exercise certain political and
civil rights, &c.
That The committee representing the city
of Richmond may be inteligently guided
in its conclusions by Il knowledge OF the
financial condition Of Manchester, we ap-
mend hereto statement Of the financial
condition Of Manchester.
We also submit for the consideration Of
the Joint committee some of the reasons
Which persuade us that the proposed union
will promote the interests Of both cities:
l. Frankness and fairness constrain us to
admit that Manchester abors at present
under financial distress, attributable mainly
TO two causes-viz. F.: The greut cost OF city
government for small population and
want of financial credit. We expect relief
from these sources OF evil to us if anneXa-
ton is contaminated. The measure afford
ing that relief, we hope to show, will great
" advance the future welfare OF Richmond,
without innicting any serious present loss
On it. Richmond and Manchester, whether
under the same or distinct city govern
ments, have common Interests and sympa-
thies. Stating the proposition differently,
we challcnge answer to the inquiry, Gin
what respect does Manchester differ, as re-
tvds sectional interests. from other parts OF
Richmond, except that it is taxed with the
cost of separate city government, the eX-
nen,e OF which its limited population rem
ders il unable we'll to endure 2" The whole
constitutes one community as regards trade
industry, and the distribution and employ
ment sof.. capital Richmond is therefore
interested Id a wise and economical admin
istration OF the affairs OF Manchester, and
~ the advantages OF annexation were lin
tied to the; mere results of liberating Man.
chester from the unnecessary expense OF a
9, pirate city government and from con-
tinual; losses resulting from want OF credit,
these considerations alone ought TO induce
Richmond to favor the measure. But rea'
sons Of q. more important character exist.
Richmond will acquire solid and enduring
benefits by an extension OF her limits on
the south side Of the river-an extension in
a direction most important TO be looked to;
an extension which IN ordinary cases might
be earnestly sought and resisted. The ex-
perIence OF other cities similarly situated
justify all we saHon this point.
The reasons for our convictions we think
require no illustration; but il examples are
wanted OF cities which have immensely con-
tributed TO their population and wealth by
extension OF their limits from very small to
very large territorial areas, and especially
cities which have found it important to
cross water. courses ard increase their wa
ter frontages-we name, conspicuously,