The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-03
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 1891.
LIBERAL MUNICIPAL SPIRIT.

LIBERAL MUNICIPAL STihti'
Al no period in the history Of Richmond
has there ever been q more urgent demand
for the pursuit Of a liberal and broad-mind-
ed policy on the part OF our Municipal Gov
epment. than at the present time. All
proyincial narrowness and pettiness should
h. severely condemned as obstructive Of the
great career upon which our city has uD.
admittedly entered. Every act Of our mum
cinal authorities that shows limited
vision. = contracted spirit AM an ungen-
or,us disposition. however plausible the ex-
cuse or however consistent with local Gus
tom. should meet at once with a popular
disapproyal that will not be satisfied with
ANYTHING sbor, Of a complete reversal.
Apart from such acts being entirely
wrong in themselves, regarded simply from
a moral standpoint, they are always calcu-
lated 10 infict serious damage on the mate
nal interests Of our people at large. For
years. this city has in various forms been
extending an earnest invitation 10 every
class Of immigrants % come and make a
permanent home in our midst. A hearty
welcome has been offered with a sincerity
which It is impossible to question.
In the instance Of no class has this wei
come been more warmly expressed than in
the instance Of Northern and Western
mechanics. men trained % great skill
in their chosen walk and notable for
their sobriety. Again and again has
it been declared in order to influence
them that they would find here one
of the most admirable fields in the South, a
prosperous and growing city and COM
munity hospitable and kind. What will
these mechanics, who are just as likely to
he Republicans as Democrats, think as a
place of settlement, Of city in which it is
seriously proposed to apply political test
10 the men who are given work upon our
different public improvements lie it to be
supposed that a city Of this kind would -
pear TO such men as a desirable community
in which to residey And vet it is this very
class that Richmond is especially anxious
10 secure.
The mechanical class is not the only one
repealed. The illiberal course proposed by
the Committee on Grounds and Buildings
is calculated TO repel every class Of men,
who in theii choice Of new home would
select a community in which generous
and progressive spirit prevails rather than
the opposite. Not unnaturally,it is inferred
that the action OF a city government reflects
40 Il apf Of N Of ha
city, that none OF its officials would dare
In the ia e of strong populor diasppToval,
20 take a step so marked in its character 10
the discharge from public employment Of
all mechanics who belong to a certain par
ty.
In this instance, there is the strongest
reason to believe that the action of the Com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings has not
the popular support. On the contrary.
there are the most unmstakable indications
that the recent course Of that committee
have exposed them TO a degree of popular
censure that is rapidly on the increase.
Those who attach Il high degree of i'm.
portance TO fairness and justice, those who
are jealous for the reputation of the city
and solicitous as 10 its prosperity, those
who are looking to the very best interest OF
the local Democratic party, will always
unite in frowning upon every form OF
municipal narrowness and in advocating
that general policy Of liberality in all things
that is demanded not only by the spirit Of
the present enlightened age, but also by
the practical reeds Of our local com
munity.