The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-07-24
ruH c1rY,s REyENUE.

THE CITY's REVENUE.
AS it has stated before, and now re-
meats. the TIMES believes that the last
Legislature OF the State passed an act
iniuring and retardipg the progress OF
Roanoke. The measure in question
was that which provides that in col
,ecting the taxes for 1890 the assess
mont of 1885 shall be the basis OF
value. and that the new assessment
shall not go into effect for twelve
mort tbs. A majority of the Legislature
being in favor OF the act, its defeat II
desired could not of course have been
accomplished by one man. Roanoke
however, could have been excepted
from the provisions OF this act and IN
not having it so done the TINES De-
lieyss, as it has said, that Representa-
tive WOODS made serious mistake.
The TIMES is willing TO give Mr..
WOODS credit for the belief, which no
asserts, that the act works as bene-
lit to the city by saving its taxpayers
the additional tax they would have
been required to pay the
State under the new assessment
but it is of the opinion that the people
of the city would gladly have paid that
in order to have allowed Roanoke to
have rsapcd the increased revenue IL
would have had thereby.
The city needs more efficient sew
erage. A place Of IL, 400, as shown by
the census enumeration Qaying aside
the question as to whether that Is all
we have or not, should not be allowed 10
depend upon surface drainage, and the
money that could have been obtained
under ths new assessment would have
produced almost incalculable benefit by
being expended in internal improve
msnts.
These expenditures, it is true, eau be
made next year, but how much better
it would be if they could be made now.
THE ROANOKE AND SOUTHERN.
There have been number OF rumors
current for several days that the secur-
ing of the right of way of the Roanoke
and Southern railroad into the city was
being INSTRUCTED by the exhorbitant
demands for property made by spec
ulators, who had bought up the most
available routes and most desirable
terminal grounds; and Colonel FRIES,
president of the Virginia and North
Carolina Construction Company, stated
few days ago that such high prices
were being asked for property that he
was afraid that it would require the
entire 100000 voted by Roanoke in
order that the railroad might get into
the city aud acquire proper terminals.
1t has also been stated that overtures
are being made to the road by the peo-
pie of Salem; and that they have offered
5000, 900, free right OF way and termi-
nal facilities If the Roanoke and South
ern would come there.
That the people of Roanoke want
the Roanoke and Southern railroad;
that, as mass, they appreciate fully
the advantages it will give the city, IS
manifested by the uuanimity with
which they voted the two subscriptions
of 100000 each to the road.
The railroad officials have said time
and again, especially when the last APP
preparation was voted, that the city
would get the road and that it would
not be asked to subscribe an additional
doll;x to insure its completion. There
is no reason to believe ellilef lnat IL
will.
The same public spirit, however,
which prompted the voting of the APP
preparations should be exhibited IN
giving the road fair and reasonable
terms tor its right of way and terminal.
The benefits that will accrue to the
city by the construction of the road
have been frequently pointed out in
the TIMES and are thoroughly under
stood and appreciated by the citizens
generally. Whatever truth there may
be in the report that e1horbitant prices
for property are being asked the road,
it ought to be treated fairly as mai
+er of nutual in terest and public policy.