Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-01
Extension of Corporate Limits.

Ihcre are many VINO ueSIo thhh Nv VIM
next regular session OF the General Assem-
bly. which begins on the first Wednesday
In December, q movement shall be made
10 extend the corporate limits OF hich-
nopd.
The boundaries Of this city are the same
now that they were in 1867, while within
that period and chiefly within FIVE or ten
years last past populous suburbs have
sprung up all around Us. The suburban
residents do business here and enjoy most
of the privileges of the city-often in
GLIDING the use OF our fire and police de-
partments-without contributing directly
10 the support of our government. The
great majority of them, We believe, do not
wish to continue in this dependent condi-
ton and will consent TO be incorporated.
This is an event TO which they have
always looked forward and in which they
will acauiesce IL the terms are anything
like what they expect. But here arises a
great, II not, for the present, insurmount-
able obstacle.
IL the urban and suburban population
oan agree upon terms the necessary legis-
istion may be obtained at the next session.
II not 1t will be postponed to later SEES
sion.
IL IL true the General Assembly has un-
limited power over the whole question and
need not ask the opinion OF approval of
any of the people or any of the authori-
ties Of Richmond or Henrlco. But that 10
not Its custom. II prefers to voice local
sentiment, though II Richmond and Hen
rico objected mono OF the citizens OF the
suburbs could hope to persuade the legis-
lntors 10 extend our lines. That the county
will not cheerfully surrender considers
bic portion Of its revonue-produeing ter
ritory we take for granted. 1t did not DO
30 when our limits were last extended, but
the General Assembly overruled all OBJ
jections, having been convinced that inc
proposition was Just and right.
The question is narrowed down TO this:
Do we want TO extend our bounds and do
the suburban people wish to come into the
oity7 Speaking with thecandor which the
gravity Of the subject demands we mus
sdmit that there are two opinions In the
CITY and suburbs both. The chief troubles
are that Richmond has much unimproved
territory in her limits; that her finances
will not lust now allow her to make sufi-
Gent appropriations for her streets, DC,
and that the suburbs will not consent to
annexation except upon terms that will
compensate them for the REIMBURSEMENT
of the low county rate of taxation for the
city rate of taxation.
At present we are not very near together
on these questions. Investigation, discus
zion, explanation. and Cancellation are
needed TO focus public opinion. To bring
II about those suburbs wishing to be incor-
porated should appoint committees, and
these committees should, after collecting
needed information. confer with the City
Council. and we all would then soon see if
the time is opportune for pushing the
matter.
That our city is TO 60 westward, north
ward, and eastward we can have no
doubt II will extend in all directions.
Five years ago if one had predicted that a
northward extension was possible he would
have been ridiculed. But see what has
been done on Barton Heights See what
lands are made accessible by, the Fifth
street yiaduct
After conference between representa-
tives OF the city and those ofthe suburbs we
can ten whether it will be well to 90 with
our request TO the Legislature at its De
csmba session, or whether it will be better
70 swait that maturing public opinion
whsch win certainly float our undertaking
tr4umphantly over oil shoals and rocks.