Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-11
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER 10. 1880.

Street-Improvement Fund Of $500, 600.
Considering the growth and needs of
Richmond but pitiful sum of money
was appropriated for street improve
nents this year. Public enterprise has
not kept pace with individual enterprise.
Building has outstripped streetmaking,
whereas the latter should lead.
We have found no intelligent and
progressive citizen who approves this
policy, and the excuse for it is that
the money is not in the city treasury,
and cannot be gotten there without an
increase OF taxation. II is true that
some vague hopes are held out that per
haps in 1891 when We come to realize
from our increased taxables We may
have funds in excess of other govern
mental demands which may be made APP
plicable 10 this great purpose.
II is very doubtful if, when the time
comes for the apportionment Of our mu-
nicipal revenues in the spring of 1881,
much money will be left for streets, for
instead of making this favored item In
the budget it is usual to force it into the
position of n residuary legatee-to get
what remains after all other claimants
are satisfied.
This will not do for the future. We
must pursue q different plan or else let
our thoroughfares go to wreck.
The streets need money and must
have it. For two or three years past
dresdfully insufficient sums have been
appropriated 10 them. We are confident
that we voice the sentiment Of the tax
payers of this community when we say
tha; they do not wish this policy to be
pursued further, because longer con-
tinuance OF it will chill the ardor of mon
who are waiting for street improvements
to begin extensive building operations,
The general feeling is that We should
avail ourselves of the present tide Of
prosperity and spread our sails to catch
the money-ladened breezes.
The sum Of 100000 was needed for
street improvements this year, and will
be more needed next We had as well
resolve to raise it,. But how ? This the
City Council must answer. II, as seems
sure, the usual revenues will not afford
enough for this purpose and for current
expenses, why then we must issue bonds
which would make an annual charge OF
g. 900. II the City Council should DO
of the opinion that to make this step
would be to incur greater responsibility
than they ought TO take let thcm submit
the question to the people, and If ma
jority of the taxpayers say nay we Will
never speak of the matter again.
II may be that our revenues will be
sufficient to provide for the interest ac-
count. If we try really hard we may
be able to squeeze it in; but we ought
TO have the 900, 900, and if there is no
better way the City Council shodld ask
the voters if they are willing to bear a
special tax for this purpose. AT present
the real and personal property assessed
for actual taxation in Richmond amounts
TO $50, 900, 600 and the rate is 81. 40 per
9lOO. 1t seems to us that We can easily
stand the trifling increase required. We
know dozen southern cities, were they
in the same position as We are, that
would make the move in less than a week,
1t would be pleasant thing to see
this goo, 600 placed to the credit of the
Street Committee by March LIST; but il
popular opinion is to be invoked it can
not be done until some months later.
The next election will be on the fourth
Thursday in May, when City Ireasu
rer land no other officer Is to be chosen
To make such ON appropriation a
this will help rather than hurt the city
credit Taxpayers rarely object to hav
ing their money put where it will brinj
good returns We predict that II TIN
money Is voted next year will be th
greatest building year in the history o
the city, and that there is much deman
here for houses-for small houses c:
pecially-every real estate agent vii
testify. This is SO now and has been s
for years.
What voters do object to is that Rich
mond has allowed too many good op
portunities to slip from her and that sh
has not always been making hay whe
tho sun was shining.
1t would be beneficial to have TIN
subject well discussed in the Chambe
OF Commerce, in popular meetings, j
Council committees, and in the tw
branches OF the City Council, and if tn
scheme appears as meritorious to tn
public as it does TO us the ways an
means will be speedily provided
Now. what are we going To do about IL