Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-14
The Electrc-Plant.

We beg the city fathers 10 remember
that revolutions never go BACKWARDS
Ii they desire TO learn how an electric
plant belonging to Richmond will stand IN
the public estimation ten or twenty years
hence let them contemplate the present
overwhelming popularity of the puohc
schools. which bear irrefut&ble testimony
10 the benignant paternalism OF modern
city and State governments.
IL would not be extravagant to predict
that within the lifetime of a large pro-
portion Of the present generation natural
monopolies will be made 10 pay almost oil
the expenses of every city government.
Berlin is one Of the most progressive
oities in the world. Notwithstanding that
IL is in an old country its growth has been
equal 10 that of any city anywhere, not
excepting more than one even IN this coun-
try. Its population in 1896 was over thir-
teen hundred thousand. If we can ind
out what the people of this large. flourish
ing, wealthy, intelligent. and practical
city now enjoy in the form of municipal
advantages and desiderata, we can at the
same time learn what the city fathers Will
be claiming for Richmond in the near fu-
ture. Do not be alarmed. however, by our
predictions. Read and judge for your
selves.
Mr.. SYLVESTER BAXTER, of the Boston
Herald Zone of the foremost papers in the
United States), who knows whereof he az
firms, recently delivered lecture In Balti-
more in which he set forth the advantages
and desirable features of city government
at much length and TO the infinite salts
faction of all who heard the lecture, as
well as of all who have read it as 1t APP
peared in the sun, of that city, and the
DISPATCH. of this city. We in Richmond
cannot expect to enjoy those advantages
at any early day. We have given away
franchises that ought to have been paid
for. Those we shall tell of are only o few
of the municipal advantages of which Ber-
lin can boast.
We will not here and now undertake TO
show how far ahead of most cities Berlin
is in all matters pertaining to municipal
government. In fact, some of the advan-
tages are hardly suitable to this country.
We will content ourselves with telling how
some natural monopolies are regarded and
treated in that city-how they are made to
contribute to the comfort of the people
there. We quote from Mr.. BAxTER's lee
ture. Again we say read and ponder what
he tells you:
"The municipal gas-works yielded at last &C
counts something like Is per cent. OF the entlre
annual expenditure Of the city-as pront''
Think of that. More than one sixth OF
all the annual expenditures of Berlin paid
by her gas-works. We quote again:
"The water-works also yield an annual profit
Of considerably over quarter oil a million OF
dollars" 1000
show that the net revenue from the various city
works was about one million OF dollars Inc real
profit, however, was very much greater than
that, for the gas-works not only paid the interest
on their cost and Lit the entire city without OK
pense, but yielded profit of $1,125,0OO."
"The water-works yielded profit OF S425,-
900 besides furnishing water for public pur-
poses without expense" -
"The markets showed profit Of $4,000"
MIR. BAXTER tells us that the street rail-
way company is Obliged to pave the whole of
the streets through which its track passes
with the best of pavement besides paying
certain percentage Of its receipts 10 ne city,"
This source of revenue now amounts to
something like S25O,OOO year, besides
having a large proportion of the streets
payed without expense to the city.
ain the year 19l1 the street railway with its
entire equipment win become the property OF
the CITY,"
II would be fair TO infer that Berlin will
take charge Of her own electric plant. The
large sum which her gas-works Weld no
doubt has caused there as here fear that
the gas-works will be rendered less valuable
by any competing system of lighting the
city. But Mr.. BAXTER knows where the
shoe pinches in this country. As to Ber-
Inns ownership of her gas-works, water
works, and street railways, he said Let
us do likewise. Then let us take the cleo
tric-light supply IN hand" He added that
where there are two companies or more
their conflicting interests must ultimately
cause them 10 unite. and then the public
will have to pay rates upon the great con-
solidated and unnecessary capital. lie
touched the raw when he said
cit should be borne In mind that the harmful
influence OF corporations In the Hobbies Of the
national capitol, Of state houses, and OF city
halls alike, with their great schemes 70 DO pro
NOTED, constitutes ono OF the most perilous
mensces 10 our American principle OF free
government. Let the people take things In
charge for themselves. Let them exercise these
funetsons "a their ovR bshdlC"
II will tend TO hberalise our ideas to
know what other cities are doing. Of
course we must make haste slowly" Let
us, however, endeavor to have here one of
the best city governments to be found in
the United States. Let no extravaganza
mark our expenditures but at the same
time let us never fail to secure TO the peo-
pie all the advantages they are entitled to.