The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-29
APPROPRIATION FOR STREETS.

The custom which our Street Committee
has long followed of dividing the appropria-
tons which are made for the improvement
of the streets between the different wards Is
one which can only be justified on the ground
that there is no single ward of the city
which is not in need of large appropriation
70 put its streets in the condition which the
public health and convenience de-
mand. That there are certain
wards which require larger appropriations
than others. or rather larger share OF the
general sum appropriated, will be admitted
by all who are familiar with the true state OF
the case. 1t goes without saying that the
outlying districts (Which are nevertheless
within the corporate boundaries), call for
greater part of the general appropriation than
districts which are situated in the very heart
of the city, and where for many years large
sums have been annually expended in i'm
provements.
We will not stop TO inquire into the reasons
which have influenced the Street Committee
10 make an equal division between the wards
rather than such division as is really con-
OF these wards. These reasons are probably
more or less political, each representative be-
ing anxious to go before his constituents with
the record of having accomplished as much
for bis own ward as his associates have accom-
plished for theirs in this matter of street I'M
proyements.
Even as the case now stands, when the con-
~ordT col
every cent Of the local distribution, there IS
ground for thinking that the best interests OF
the city would have been more fully sub
served by an unequal division of the approprl-
alton made. Suppose, for instance. that In
stead of our Street Committee being
composed as il is Of men who by the
very Office they fill are dependent upon
the favor of wards, this committee had been
composed, like our several boards Of com
missioners, of individuals who were seeking
to advance the welfare of the whole city lnde-
pendenty OF any one locality, individuals
who were entirely unbiased by the local in
nuences of the separate wards Is 1t likely that
the appropriation for the improvement OF the
streets would have been divided into equal
shares. and these shares distributed between
the different wards!
1t is far more probable thatif the Street Com
mittee were composed OF suchindividuals-tha
is, Of men detached from the various localities
of the city and seeking TO promote only the
good of the whole-the appropriation for
street Improvements would be devoted in the
largest proportion 20 those sections Of the
city and those wards and localities where the
need of improvement was most urgent.
Under existing circumstances, however, the
action of the Street Committee does not work
the Injustice which it would otherwise do;
but none the less, the principle involved in
this action is open TO condemnation. There
is no section of the city where large sums
cannot be judiciousy expended i'll street i'm
provements.
1t is a cause for regret that the condition Of
affairs in this connection is so bad. that a Gus
tom which has for many years been de-
precated by large portion of the ommnnity
seems to have some justification for its recog-
niton Under ordinary circumstances this
custom will continue to excite the disapproyal
which has been visited upon it hitherto with
| little reserve.