The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-31
ALWAYS READ THE TINES.
THURSDAY, JULY 81, 1890.


Having very recently dwelt at length on
The advantages that would accrue to each
individual class from the extension OF
our city limits, THE TIMES would now
call attention 10 the benefits which would
lie conferred upon the community at large
if,his important step were taken. 1t VIII
be sufficient to allude to only four Of these as
constituting enough in themselves, consid-
cred together, 10 show the adNisability Of
the extension proposed.
In the first place, il is a matter of very
great importance. from a variety OF stand
points, that the city should have "A coniroi
ling influence over the manner III which the
outlying districts shall be divided up, elther
when new houses are being erected, or IN
anticipation Of their erection. AS long AZ
these districts remain in the county. any
plan cf laying of the suburbs can be follow
ed, which may commend itself TO the citl-
zens inhabitng them. II is not at all I'M
probable that, in some instances, methods
will he adopted which viii he entirell
contrary TO the general map of Richmond.
venience and the property interests OF our
people ut large, as soon as these suburbs be-
come an incorporated part Of the CITY Inc
probability Of such a state Of affairs as TINS
occurring should be avoided as far as 1t
lies in our municipal power.
In the second place, the extension OF our
corporate boundaries beyond the present
circle Of suburbs would confer upon our
city authorities the ability to abate many
nuisances which are either now seriously
menacug the health OF the community, or
which may arise in the future, 10 affect the
soundness Of our sanitary condition.
very fair instance Of the former is the detri-
ment to the public health which is now be-
Ing worked by the slaughter houses on the
Brook avenue, against which such earnest
protests have been raised through the me-
dunn Of The TIMES. by such distinguished
physicians in our midst as Drs. McCaw and
Hunter Mcclure. This is only a single II
stance, which happens to be specially nc
table on account of the public character q
the nuisance. but there are others which,
taken together are Just as likely to do an
equal amount Of damage, although in
more nsidiOus way. From sources of this
kind, if the sanitary authority of the city
continued to De confined TO its present
limits. germs Of disease might spread which
would involve to more or less extent the
health Of the whole community, even the
health OF sections which are now in the
most satisfactory hygienic condition.
In the third place, the extension of Rich.
mOnd would, in increasing its population
and the amount of its aggregate wealth,
give it much more important and conspic-
uO,s position than ii now occupies, in the
general family of the cities of the United
States. 1t was not a mere sentiment that
led our citizens to desire that Richmond
should make in the forthcoming census re-
port the most creditable showing that was
within the scope OF possibility. This show
ing has a practical value entirely apart
from the pride which our people would nat
urally feel in the city's growth in
population and wealth. BY such growth.
the enterprise and energy Of our
people are judged by those who esti-
mate us from the impartial standpoint
of outsiders, and the more favorable the
general conclusions reached in regard TO us,
the greater the advantages which the city
will reap in the long run. All the ten
denotes OF the leading cities of this country
are towards the annexation Of their suburbs
The disposition Of Western towns is to ex.
tend their corporate limits even beyond the
line Of settlelpents that will require many
years before they can be recognized as sub
urbs, and while this disposition may have
fostered an eXtravagant spirit in some in
i've of the highest good.
Finally, the extension of the corporate
limits, will, by furnishing much cheaper
sites for new manufacturing establishments
than can now be secured within the bounds
ofour present municipal area, encourage the
removal thither from other States of i'm
portant manufacturing plants which would
add very much to the population as well as
10 the productive capacity and the accumu-
lated wealth OF Richmond. Ii follows, also,
that strong impulse would be thus given
10 the increase of manufactures that would
owe their existence to home capital and en-
terprise exclusively. The extension Of the
city would signify 10 men who have the in
auguration of new manufactures under adj
visement, not only very cheap sites for the
buildings of their establishments, but also
every advantage in the way Of streets,
water and gas, advantages which they
could not expect to have unless the extern
sion was carried out.
unnnE Avn M,U.>V prrtS