The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-10
STREET IMPROVEMENTS.
1 Communication from Major James II
Doo,ey Anent His Address.

1 Communication from Major James II.
Doo.ey Anent lii- Address.
Major James II. Dooley writes 10 THE
TIMES as follows: 'ln making some ro-
marks before the Chamber Of Commerce
meeting last Thursday evening it is scarce
IN necessary to say that ! had no idea Of
making cheap capital by attacking our
City Council.
Our City Council Is rather above the
average of such municipal bodies, aud in
condemniny its illibcra policy with regard
10 street Improvements. my sole object was
| 10 arouse the attention OF the public, IN order
| that mistaken policy may be corrected.
Nj. Anderson. "a member Of the Finance
! Committee. in sundays TINES says thai my
statement. viz: that $4,000 II appropriated
this wear for Streets j. calculated 10 mis-
| lead the public; and he undertakes 10 show
! tina: S97, 500 was appropriated for the street
| Department. My statement IS subslan-
italy correct. and il il his which is calcu-
lated 10 mislead. The amount appropriated
10 streets generally l. $iO,WD, as ne All
mits. But he claims that Sl2.S0O Is apprC-
priated for salaries in the Engineers De
partinent; that is, TO pay Colonel Cutshaw
and his assistants. Ii is true that these
officers belong to the Street Department.
| but that money is not 10 be spent on streets.
$50 with the items, $1,000 for paving side
walks and $1,000 for paving alleys. These
sums are merely advanced out OF the city
| treasury 10 pay for the work, and are col
| lected from the owners Of the adjoining
property. When collected they are paid
into the sinking fund. II is certainly mis-
| leading 20 allcgc that these sums are part
OF the money 10 be expended by the city on
streets. They are really expended by the
ow lers Of the property.
AS to the item OF expenses OF hands and
carts. The city owns a great number OF
carts, mules and horses, which are employ
| ed about a variety of work. The animals
have 10 be fed and shod and attended. Men
have 10 be regularly employed in connection
herewith, and these items are for their sup
port and wages.
"When plain man, who is not acquainted
with the subtleiies of tie Finance Commit
tee and budget speaks Of the amount u
be expended on streets, he does not embrace
| these things, and neither does the City En-
gineer.
"Mr. Anderson informs us that the city
could rot appropriate the necessary amount
for streets. because the revenues were other
wise appropriated. and there is now only
Sl62. ~. - left 10 be issued in bonds before
reaching the charter limit.
"Of course. this is an answer entirely sat
isfactOry 10 member Of the Finance Com
mittee. but il is exactly what complain OF
and want 10 have changed. II Is all wrong
that the revenues should be all otherwise
appropriated. and that the bonded debt OF
the city should have been so enormously in
creased, while our streets have been 50 de-
plorably neglected. When see that con-
tract for nearly 100000 is awarded
for hardwood finishing In the City
Hall, and Clay ward, with demands
and approved estimates for street improve
ments for this year amounting TO Sl3o,WO,
has only $500 to be expended on them, |
say that the system Is wrong and needs 10
be changed. The streets aud street i'm
proyements (meaning the extension of
water and gas facilities. culyerts, grading
and guttering, grayellng, &c.,) are far more
important than having luxurious and costly
decorations in City Hall, or building u new