Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-13
FRIDAY. ..........JUNE -. 1890.
What We Have and What We Need.

What We Have and What We Need.
The annual report Of tho President OF the
Chamber Of Commerce submitted yesterday
evening "a calm but vigorous document, IN
which he shows how Richmond has increased ia
tue past twelve months IN tho essentials OF bust
ness prosperity. and discusses many measures
for the welfare Of the community. lie demon
strates that we have a brilliant future, ana
among other things pleads for an enlargement
OF our corporate limits
There il no doubt We will have soon 10 apply
70 the General Assembly for tho privilege Of
taking into our municipality aconsiierabie por-
zion Of our suburban territory.
We need moro room now. In a few years we
will be badly cramped, and the proper time TO
lay OF street lines and grades is before building
begins. Unluckny In one sense, luckily in an
other, great numbers Of houses have already
been erected on the borders OF the city in Henrico
county. and streets have been lhi1 on to suit the
fsncios OF tho owners Of the property rather
than 70 conform 10 and harmonic with existing
streets and avenues In Richmond.
To prevent the extension 81 this growing evil
We should spply % the Legislature for power to
protest our streot lines far into the county so
that when from time - time We extend our cor
capricious plans OF "addtions," but by we'll
understood and distinctly-mapped thorough
fares
As things have turned out lteooms pity that
Richmond ala not have her limits extended q
year ago. Had sho done 80 Without going Into
the adjacent farming lands la many other cities
have donc) che could have shown by the census
q population Of over 10000 CITY PEOPLE. A. II
Is We expect TO have population in Richmond
proper Of s., 900, In Manchester Of li.OOO OF r.
tOl and in their suburbs Of l0,0)J or 1900.
President PURCELL says: We must see that
our city limits are oxtenlod and that regular
and gradual plan Of street improvements is
made. The municipal must keep in advance OF
private enterprise, or va shall 1nd that 1t Is a
hindrance 10 our growth
This expresses the general sentiment Of tho
community.
Means must be found TO make street improve
mentA Perhaps. as he suggests, the roassess-
ment % real estate will enable tho City Council
30 DO what is needed. II not other oxpeiients
must he adopted.
Certainly Richmond cannot afford 10 rotuse 10
give the commonest convoniences OF city life 10
people who are willing % bind houses.
There is another want touched upon IN this re-
port-homes for mechanics Strides have been
made IN This direction in tho past few years, but
the good work should 20 on aud rather faster than
at present We should offer 20 our working poo
pie rents, gas, and water Is cheap as any city In
this country.
On the subject Of cooperation the report says:
Eve must make the world acquainted with
the advantages Of Richmond. The individual
efforts Of our enterprising citizens can do but
little, but the combined efforts OF all viii GER
tainly accomplish great deal Let US. then,
Co-Operaie--largc aud small doing each his part
ana We shall see that 10y unity of action We can
place our city, as Il deserves 10 be, in tbe 'front.'
rank OF tho progressive cities OF the Union"