The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-24
ALWAYS READ TIE TINES
THURSDAY. JULY p, 1890.
FxrrNsIoN OF THE CITY.

The question Of the desirability and feas-
Utility Of extending the corporate limits Of
Richmond is now receiving the very close
attention Of all Of our citizens who are in
terest,sl in every thing bearing on the pros
perity Of the city. As might have been eX-
pected, there is very considerable diversity
of opinion as 10 the manner in which the
extension Of our municipal area shall be
made. but very little as to the necessity OF
its being carried out at an early day. The
shortage i'm the population Of Richmond a.
compared with what was confidently an
ticipatcd before the census report was given
out. has raised feeling Of regret that TINS
step was not taken in time for il TO have
added to the showing which this city Will
make in the new report This reason for exc
tending the city's limits is now gone, but
other reasons much more important re-
main.
Upon what principle shall the city be eN-
tended IL il shall be finally decided that IL
shall be extended at all: The proposition
that appears 10 receive the most approval II
ltdi INC CITY snail W fliidl -iN NfA'f ~ Nt'''
directions in which existing suburbs like
BartOnsville. for instance, or definite rea-
sons for early development, as in the IN
stance Of the Lee district, indicate that the
city is already growing. Nothing whatever
is 10 be gained by including in the corporate
limits territory whose taxable value would
require many years 10 pass before sufficient
compensation would be obtained for the
costs which its development had entailed.
II is only by recognizing the truth of this
that the objection which has been raised by
many Of our taxpayers can be met, namely,
that the city's enlargement would merely
increase the burden Of taxation without pro
portionately extending the basis Of taxa,
ton.
No argument in opposition TO extension
can be drawn from the fact that with few,
if any, exceptions, the streets within the
corporate limits are not improved up TO the
corporate line. This is due not to slowness
on the part Of the city in expanding within
its present boundaries, but TO the niggard
policy which our City Council pursues IN
the matter Ofstreet improvement, and above
all 10 that custom to which THE TINES has
repeatedly called attention and condemned
in the strongest language at our command
namely, the division between the wards, OF
the appropriations made for street improve
ments, irrespective Of their real needs and
requirements. Under the operation Of this
custom, the outlying wards which have the
most need for the larger part of'the apprC-
priatiOns are placed upon the same footing
a. the wards in the very centre Of the city.
This is a policy which, 1t is well known'
has its root in political influences alone,
and not in the real interests Of the people.
The same reasons have impeded the growth
of the city in its present boundaries that
have impeded the spread Of its suburbs,
that is, the absence Of advantages Of graded
streets, water, gas and culyerts. II the
city is extended, it will be necessary to
pursue a more liberal policy in this cOnnec-
ton than has been pursued in the past,
for otherwise the citizens living in the new
additions will justly think that they have
been brought into the city to be taxed with
out enjoying the conyeniences to which
they would be entitled as part Of the cor
poration. Let the city be enlarged in the
manner which we have suggested, and il
will be found that the step will not swell
the amount Of the taxes which our citizens
are now required TO pay, because it will in
crease the basis Of taxation without in
creasing dispropOrtonately the expenses 10
be incurred by the city. At the same time,
it will enlarge the population Of Richmond,
and will encourage the strong tendency
which now exists, to build new houses and
further extend the limits Of the general com
munity.