The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-08

The Common Council held q special meet
ing last night TO consider the report OF 'he
Committee on the Annexation OF Lee District
who deem It inadvisablc to make the an
nexation Just now because of tho ci'ys nav
ing no funds with which to meet the neces-
sary expense. In connection with TINS re-
mort was also considered the proposed
amendment to the city charter sug-
gested by Mr.. James II. Dooley. char
man OF the Lee District committee.
and prepared expressly TO meet this and al!
similar objections to the Improvements OF our
streets and the necessary extension OF
the city's limits. The consideration OF this
proposed amendment was referred to select
committee OF nine-fve from tho Common
Council and four from the Board OF Alder
lnen.-who are to report to the City Council
as speedily as possible.
THg TIMES on Tuesday last gave a very sue
cnct and accurate description of the manner
in which tho proposed amendment OF III.
Dooley will work. It will extend the prin-
cple already engrafted in the charter provd-
ing tor the grading guttering and curoing Il
the streets Of tho city and for the paving OK
the sidewalks at the expense OF the
AUDITING owners. TO the point Of requiring ali
abutting owners who desire TO have the streets
improved to pay the cost OF grading, gutter
Jog, curbing and paving. while the city puts
in culyerts. gas and water pipes. 10 &C
complish this the CITY IS TO issue per
cent. bonds and expend the money thereby
raised in the desired improvements, but the
abutting owner is 20 return this money TO the
city by paying a special tax equal to
per cent. per annum or .he cot oil I'M
proyemont. by which means the whole debt
Of the city. contracted for this purpose, prin-
cipal and interest, will be paid in thirty years.
The great advantages of Mr.. Dooley plan
are 50 manifest that the Council should
promptly adopt it. First and foremost 1t Will
do away with the Obvious evils of the pres
ent system of doing out to the different
wards inadequate sums Of the amount appro-
prated for street Improvements, which are not
only insufficient % accomplish the purposes
desired. but which are often spent more TO
advance the interests Of an individual than OF
the public. in other words. the proposed
amendment 0DeS away VIII III siO 'A--~~'
Of log-rollng that are offered by the present
system.
Then again, Mr.. Dooley's amendment will
enable our streets to be improved whenever
desirable. at minimum cost. aud on terms
so easy 10 the abutting owner that he will not
only not feel the burden but will get his
money back with heavy interest in
the enhanced value Of bis property.
And this will permanently remove
all tho existing serious distractions
TO that extension Of the city limits which the
present intolerable and most unhealthy
crowding up Of our population in the differ
ent portions of the city shows to be
so imperatively demanded. For if adopt
ed. this amendment TO the charter will
at once enable the annexation Of Lee dis
trict and Will provide ample means not
only for the improvement Of that new portion
of the city. but Of many parts Of the present
corporate limits which are eyesoIes t. the
public, and a reproach to Richmond.
Radical reform in this matter is most ur-
gently required, and as no better plan than
that suggested by Mr.. Dooley has ever been
offered. it should be accepted by the Council
without the slightest hesitation.