Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-06
THEY VOTE TO ANNEX
The HOUSE COMMIT UNANIMOUS
ON THE LEE DISTRICT BILL.
Mr.. stratson's Measure Against Bogus
Butter Favorabiy R~ported-Pay OF
Guards Increased-The Pilots, etc.

The House Committee on Counties,
Cities, and Towns decided yesterday after
noon. bya unanimous vote, to report favor
ably the bill providing for the annexation
TO Richmond Of certain portion of Lee
District.
The committee met in the Hall Of the
House of Delegates and agreed to give
unlimited time for the discussion of the
measure 10 both its advocates and oppo-
nents.
MIR. Fossell. superintendent of public
schools Of Henrico county, stated that he
bad been appointed TO appear in oppOsi-
tion to the bill. and added that the finan-
cial condition Of the county would be seri-
ously affected by the cutting of of the dis
trict in question. The receipts for county
expenses would be reduced between $1,000
and $1,000 annually, and the income for
the schools would be decreased about
81 COO The county districts were just
getting on their feet new school-houses
had been erected last year, and more were
needed, while some of the existing ones
needed repairs. The city. he said, was not
justified in asking for an extension OF ITS
limits "a long az there were large tracts OF
unimproved land within the corporate
lines.
DR.. r. A. Patterson questioned the cor
rectness of the statement of the financial
condition of the county made by Mr.. Fos-
sell.
ALErTKR FROM GENERAL ANDERSON.
Captain John A. Coke was the next
speaker. Before entering into the argn-
ment Captain Coke read number Of let
ters from parties who were unable to be
present. The first letter was from General
Joseph X. Anderson. in referring to whom
Captain Coke said there was no more pub
lic-spirlted citizen in or without TINS Com
monwealth. The letter contained the fol-
loving:
II feel great interest iii the passage Of the
bill for the enlargement of the city limits,
which has been asked for by the city au-
thorities. It's passage will, L believe,
greatly encourage Improvement IN that
part of the city aud will not only promote
the interest OF the city. but of landowners
in the county also. Besides, the monument
in honor OF General Lee was placed IN the
present position with the distinct under
standing that il would without delay be
brought within the city limits; and the
wish having been expressed by Mrs. DAVIS
that the proposed monument IN honor OF
her illustrIous husband should be placed
near the Lee Camp grounds, on the pro-
longation of the same (tranklin) street.
he DdSSHOt Oh IUt Dlii III HutSliOb 10 hN-
cessary to enable the association TO Tx Its
location. 1t is to be expected that any
to extend the city limits will
meet with some opponents, but L am sat
isiied that this wise Legislature will en-
the growth of the capital city by
granting such enlargement, as its autnorl-
ties assure them is essentially necessary"
LETTERS FROM OTHER CITIZENS.
Captain Coke also submitted letters from
hIessrs. ]. b. Elan, Joseph w. Blanton,
and Charles II. Talbot. Mr.. Norman V.
Randolph. another public-spirlted citizen,
in letter. expressed himself IN the fol-
lowing manner: In response to your
question. Am | in favor of extending the
city limits from the present corporate
limits? | would say: Looking to the city's
done. as there is no other way TO improve
this property except by annexation, which,
think, will Immediately enhance the
value of ali the adjoining property. L
would also state that | am not IN any way
in West-End property. but, on
the contrary, am largely Interested IN
Northside property. | express this opin--
ion as a large taxpayer III Richmond, and
feeling deep interest IN everything that
looks to her advancement and future pros
perity. As president of the Soldiers home
1 have no hesitancy in saving that believe
that IL is TO the interest OF tins institution.
as il Will largely increase the value or their
property"
CAPTAIN CoKE's REMARKS.
CAPTAIN Coke stated that If this bill was
out of the way another bill would be IN
troduced to rescind the existing law,
which created the corporation of Lee Dis
trict. Only recently a meeting had been
held in the county when this agreement
was arrived at. The boundary line for the
new district was not drawn in the interest
of advancing the value of real estate. Ii
was necessary to take in additional land
for building. as lots in that direction were
scarce. Captain Coke pointed TO Chicago
and other cities in endeayoring to show
that improvements should precede popu-
lation in order that cities could prosper.
He alluded to q number of persons who
some time ago had purchased lots in the
locality in question at the rate OF Sl25 per
front foot, under the assurance that the
land would soon be inclosed IN the city
limits.
MR.. JOSEPH BRYAN IN OPPOSITION.
Mr. Joseph Bryan. who was next INTRO
duced, stated that he appeared before the
committee as an owner OF property In the
Most of his interests were situated
outside of the district under considera-
ton. If it was taken III he felt confident
that the burden of the people who would
have to leave that locality would fall
upon him. He thought the bill was wrong
perse. and especially pernicious to the
county of Henrico. The bill should not
pass for the sake of the Lee Monument,
nor to add TO the glory of General Lee,
nor TO vindcate the dead heroes. 1t
should only be passed for the benefit of
the people. and the measure should stand
and fall with that view. MIR. Bryan con-
tended that the owners of the county
and those in that part OF the
city were willing to extend the corporate
limits to the street west OF Lee Monument
Park street,. 1t was impossible to offer
persons VINO had bought high-priced
ground drainage and sewerage without
falling back to the city. 1t was indis-
that relief be afforded TO the
people in that district east of
Park street, and inasmuch as there
was no other way visible it would
De best to have them Incorporated i'll the
,ity. Ii was an unfortunate thing that
hat district would have TO come back TO
he city of Richmond for an outlet OF the
sewerage system. The property there rn-
der the present condition was tit for no
1ther use than for building purposes. 1t
was to the interest of the residents of the
other parts OF Lee District and their desire
70 remain where they are at tpresent. Their
Intention was TO apply to the Legislature
'or an enlargement of the powers of the
of Lee District so as togive
hem authority to put III sewerage and
drainage, make sidewalks. furnish light,
and make some arrangements for water
,upply. Ii the whole district was taken
n its residents could expect nothing ex-
,ept the privilege of paying twice as much
.axes as they are paying now..
Messrs. w. II. Sands and John +. Branch
made few remarks as personal explana-
,ion. and the latter recommended the fol-
lowing amendments as an addition 10 the
bill:
Whenever any improvements to the
value of 5000 is made upon any of this
Droperty in the annexed district then the
,ity of Richmond. upon the request of the
owner of such improvements, shall at
once lay culverts and furnish gas and light
ior such improvements.
After a few closing remarks by MIR. Num-
'ord and short address by MIR. George ID.
Carter, the delegate from Henrico county,
,he committee took the vote upon report
ng the bill with the result above stated.
Against Bogus Butter.
The House Committee on Propositions and
Grievances met yesterday afternoon aud con.
among o;her things, the bill introduced