The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-12
THURSDAY. JUNE II, 1890.
MUNICIPAL SuPI>ENEsS.

MUNICIPAL SttiNbNrSN-
No single thing is more easily within the
power of all men than the ability 10 CRUZ
else. and to criticisc upon just and accu-
rate grounds. especially if the object eri''-
c;sed is n community of people, which pre-
SCENTS so many sides for Observation "neh
TsE TIMES has had occasion in the past u
reflect upon the methods Of the people ofthis
CITY. with reference 10 their public anairs'
II has been in no carping spirit and win no
disposition 10 find unnecessary fault, but
rather in the hope that some permanent
GOOD might be accomplished thereby.
The admonition of Major Dooley at the
recent business mems meeting that ever!
man should he "bull" in crying up the adj
yantages OF his city, was unquesuohaDi!
based upon the soundest good sense. NO
coakers are wanted in this age when. there
H. sucb an urgent demand for energy, per-
sistence and enterprise Of the very highest
Kind. But there is broad difference be-
tween croaking and sternly animad-
yerting upon general Deficiencies In
the public character Of our people,
which can be- at once corrected II a
little thought and attention are exercised
bv them. When the rapid growth OF Rich
mond in wealth and population is recalled
IL would be most incorrect, even il an incli-
nation that way was felt, TO say that It's
people have not exhibited very unusual H.
dustrial capacity. Richmond, as 1t stands
to-day. is a monument TO the industrial ac-
tivity and enterprise of lis citizens alone
but how much greater in every element oil
industrial prosperity this city should be-
How far more rapid would be the progress
in the future if more energetic, more eX-
acting, and more liberal policy were fol-
lowed than is likely to be pursued!
The prospect is obscured by two notable
characteristics of our people, of which they
are fully conscious, but which ii is in their
power TO repress, namely, a disposition 10
bear with the most philosophic patience
eyery form Of imposition, and disinclina-
ton 10 cooperate even TO secure an end that
will rebound TO the advantage of all. Pub
lie sentiment was thoroughly aroused by
the addresses delivered at the business
mems meeting, and yet there is observed
already the old tendency to fall back into the
ancient ruts. What is the prospect for the
improvement in the condition Of our streets
upon which Major Dooley dwelt so forcibly
in his speech, and in his recent letter 10 THE
TINES. Does any man, whose judgment
is entitled 10 a moments consideration,
doubt for an instant that the extension
of our streets. the enlargement OF the incOr-
porated territory Of our city, and the Gre
alton of facilities in the shape of water
culvert, gas and sidewalks, would add very
much TO the prosperity OF Richmond by en-
couraging landowners to erect new houses
and TO offer special advantages to foreign
manufacturers, who would thereby be in
duced 10 move their plants to this city 1t
is true that individual property-holders
would be benefited by such a policy. but the
prosperity of these property-holders is ex
actly identified with the prosperity Of Rich
mond.
Does any man doubt as to whether this
city would derive any advantage from the
erection of new hotel, the erection Of large
and commodious stations, at the terminal
points in our limits, of the Chesapeake and
Ohio and Richmond and Danyille Railroad
companies, and especially the formation OF
such railroad connections as would extend
,1hc trade of our city into sections Of Virgin
Ia now practically closed to it : The benefit
that would accrue TO Richmond
from the attainment Of all these
things is admitted without any re-
servation by every one Of its citizens
whose opinion is entitled to any weight, and
yet 30 placid is the resignation of our peo-
pie 10 existing conditions, however opposed
20 their convenience or even prosperity, that
il looks highly improbable that single one
OF these advantages will be secured within
a reasonably definite period Of time. That
they will be secured in the end is as assured
as that Richmond will continue TO grow,
for they will be forced upon the city as one
latiop. But they ought to DE secured
now, because they are calculated
10 immensely accelerate that growth. And
they would be undoubtedly secured if a
strong cooperative spirit for the attainment
Of public objects prevailed among our
people. This cooperative spirit appears to
he lacking. Once more we are illustrating
in our public affairs, the truth Of the saying,
that what is eyerybody's business is mo-
body's business, but il is no consolation TO
recall, that in pursuing such policy, we
only inflict damage upon ourselves.