Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-15
CHAMBER COMMERCE
THE REPORT IN FAVOR OF ANNexA-
TlON UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.
Want . Firs-Proof Library Buildiug-Ef'
fort to Reconsider tho Endorsement
OF the Kent Btu Defeated.


The Richmond Chamber of Commerce
held its quarterly meeting at T. NJ. yes
terday with Colonel John b. Purcell in the
chair. The session was one of the longest
and most important held in many months.
Chairman Landerkin. Of the Committee
on Outland Trade. presented long report
on the construction of the Nicaragua
canal and the question OF the General Gov-
ernnent extending aid to the enterprise
The COMMITTEES after setting forth their
reasons therefor at some length recon-
mended that the Virginia representatives
be requested TO give this subject tnelf
earnest and favorable consideration. anu
TO support any measure providing sucn
aid for the enterprise on the part OF the
General Government as was contemplated
in Senate bill No. 4S72.
NOT PROPER MOVE.
Colonel Cary disapproyed OF the Govern
ment aiding the enterprise by the endorse
ment OF its bonds. In the event oil the success
OF the enterprise be said, II would be all risn.
but that II 1t failed the Government wouid 90
committed and would have 20 complete IT, ne
admitted the importance of the work ana tne
good IL would do when completed, put strongly
urged the improperly OF the United states en-
barking In such an undertaking
Major A. X. yenable was opposed to u also
upon tho same ground, and inetsted that II was
contrary TO the principles OF our Government
Mess.s. john SHELTON Willisms, John A. Lan-
caster, &. W. Trayers, and Warner Moore warmly
supported the report, as did also Judge Cnristsh
and Mr.. Landerkin.
The report was adopted after further DISCUS
sion.
The ANNEXATION.
Mr. James II. Elam. chairman OF the Commit
tee on Streets, Roads, aud Parks, then requested
the meeting TO receive and act upon the report
Of his committee on the bill offered In Dotn
branches OF the Legislature, providing Tor an
nexation TO this city OF the land In the western
suburbs, bounded on the north by broad-strees
road, on the west by the Boulevard, on the South
by the Grove road, AID on the east by the pres
ent western boundary line OF the city. Inc COM
mttee report In favor OF annexation ana give
among others the following reasons why, IN
their Judgment, such course IA wise:
Ii will be accepted without question that this
property Is Ia the line OF the most extensive
growth Of our city, and We have only 70 look at
the city map or visit the western limits OF the
city on Broad. Grace, Franklin. and rag ave
nue. TO be satisfied that there Is q present exist
ing need for building ground. IL is therefore ap-
parent that suitable building ground ON FRANK
lin street, Grace, and Broad must be sought west
OF Lombardy street, In the section now proposed
10 be annexed 20 tho city.
This ground is needed for building purposes
nor, as shown by the fact that fifteen months
ago sales were made OF a number OF Franklin
street lots and lots on other streets adjacent
thereto for building purposes, and in some OF the
deeds on record In the Chancery Court aro in-
serted covenants on tho part OF purchasers
agreeing to erect within two years-and the liini-
tation will shortly expire-residence to cost not
less than $4,000 each.
now TO MEET II.
This necessity for additional building ground
s.Fu. t4..t.. "a. ffa..i
into the city limits. This Is practically demon
strated by the fact that the lots sold 20 parties
on which TO build their homes have, notwitn-
standing their covenants to build ana their IN
tention to build as expressed by their purchases
been permitted to remain unimproved-a con-
dition OF things due solely 20 this consideration
that the purchasers who, in their present homes
enjoy the security and protection OF the city
government In its police and fire department.
are unwilling to surrender these benefits.
II II DO true, as We have assumed. that this
section Is In tho direct line OF the cltys most ex-
pansye growth and that In the near future II
will be adorned with handsome residences on its
residence streets and stores on Broad street
then II will be a matter TO be deplored II this
class OF improvements should be checked by the
erection OF buildings Of inferior grade, for Il II
fact demonstrated in every city that only
dwellings OF moderate value are erected on
lands where kerosene oil has TO be used foi
light, wells for drinking-water, &c.
WILL BE GROWTH.
The building up Of this section will be q
growth. For some years to come no change III
the sewer system OF the city In likely TOD
needed, as the lay OF the ground for seyera
squares back from Lombardy street adapts I
to the present sewer system. There is water
main In Lombardy street and water-main als'
In Strawberry street OF ample capacity running
from the reservoir TO the observation-disclosures
and the sewer In Franklin street is now as far a
tho residence OF Robert ". Powers. Fzl.
The location OF the Lee monument in this dis
trlct appeals 10 the whole city and 10 the STATE
as well, that everything that can be done cloul'
be done g. beautlfy its surroundings.
As TO the objection made by citizens OF Hen
rico county that 10 imperils the Democratic su
premacy in the county, We simply remaK ina
we do not think there can be possibly dozef
votes, white and black, In this district, nor az
we believe there are asmany as a dozen houses
on this property. Tho error OF such position
therefore apparent.
THIS THE PROPER TINE.
The fact that this ground is now unimproved
conmends the proposition OF annexation az tt1'
time because until community is built up there
is no need OF enlarging the gas and water capa'
city OF the city and no additional schOol-houses
required. .
Legislature for annexation Is the only practica-
bic plan or basis Of annexation. The inadequacy
OF the fund tor street improvements in the pre-
sent limits OF the city Is controlling argument
against bringing In any new territory upon ine
same plan.
IN THE LINE OF PROGRESS.
Your committee feel that the bill now before
the Legislature should for tho reasons we have
outlined meet your unqualified approyal--it Ii
In the line OF progress and development which
1t Is the purpose Of this Chamber 70 foster; Il
does not run counter TO any policy OF tho CITY
government and visits no burdens upon tue
city; It Is In the line Of what experience hai
shown all over our country to be the true plan
and policy OF building up our cities.
-" We feel confident" they say In conclusion
"that the incorporation or this suburb into oui
city under the proposed bill will mark new err
In its progress and will give impetus to the growth
expansion, aud beautfying OF cur city; tue fnr
nishing Of more work for mechanics, laborers
and others; the investment OF capital az nome
in the erection OF handsome residences, and
may we not add, show TO the world our appre
citation of the trust Of q grand monument 10 th'
grandest OF modern soldiers, Intended by It's pro
lectors 70 be committed TO our care and keeping
Accompanying the report was a resolution de
claring IL 20 be Of the highest interest to thi
city that the bill pending In the Legislature TO
the annexata OF the territory defined aDoy'
should become law and commencing II TO thu
favorable consideration Of the Common Councl
and Board OF Aldermen, which bodies are re
quested to take such action as Will insure III
enactment Into law. The resolution also ask
the Richmond members OF the General Assem-
bly, to actively cooperate In the Accomplishment
OF this end.
The report was unanimously adopted, and a
committee appointed TO present II to the CITY
Council.
From the Committee on Health and Santa
ton Mr.. Thomas N. Carter requested that q spe
cial committee be appointed TO present 10 TIT
City Council the report recently adopted IN re
ference 10 matters relating 20 the health OF th'
city, which request, with other suggestions mad
by him in connection with this subject, VIII b'
carried out BY the Chamber.
FIRK-PR0oF BUILDING.
Mr.. X. B. Lee offered q resolution, which wa
adopted, providing for committee OF five In al
dition to the standing Committee on Public Ii
braries 20 cooperate with tho committee alread.
named by the Senate and House OF Delegates
ascertain II II be not practicable at this session
to inaugurate q plan 10 provide for the erection
OF nre-proof building for the better preserya
tion OF the valuable collection OF books and pa
pers now In the capitol building, and TO furtne
ascertain II II be not practicable 10 ADMIT tn
public to freer use OF the library.
THE EXPOSITION.
Mr.. Wingo, Chairman OF tho Committee o.
State Exposltions, offered resolution. whicl
was adopted declaring II 10 be tho sense OF III
Chamber that it is desirable that tho Virgins
Agricultural and Mechanical Society hold at IL
grounds near the city OF Richmond during IN
month OF October next an exposition, contlnuin
moi less than twenty-one days
M. Matthew +. Maury, Mr.. William NJ Tur
min. Mr.. &. Boyce Brady, and Messrs. WOODWARD
and Lothrop, were elected members OF Ia
Chamber.
KENT RAILROAD BILL
Mr.. Waddey asked that the endorsement o
the Kent railroad bill By this Chamber be nov
reconsidered.
Mr.. A. Ii. Christian, Jr., asked upon wha
srounds Whereupou Mr.. Waddey stated tha
sn,,,,,b IA had m ade the motion that the reDor