The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-08
BUSINESS METHODS IN cry BUS.
MESS

We believe the material interests Of
Richmond are seriously jeopardized by
the lack of economy and business meth
DDS in the management of the citys at
fairs
The idea is out that the city fathers
are more careful of their personal popu-
larity than they are Of the citys money.
The standing argument for this belief is
the fact that the city Hall has been
erected largely by the citys day hands,
at total cost OF about Sl.5OOO0o. carrying
on that account an annual charge for
interest and caretaking Of about S92. 900.
when for all intents and purposes an
equally good if not the same. building
could have been erected by contract at a
cost Of $4,000 carrying an annual charge
Of about $4,000. The difference. say $0.-
90. is the perpetual annual tribute paid
10y the taxpayers of the city for the
purchase of popularity for members of
the city Council whose connection with
the transaction has been, or will be, for
gotten by the beneiiciaries. Another bur
den OF the same kind and for the same
purpose which the taxpayers OF the city
are asked to bear is the construction Of
sewers by day labor instead Of by con-
tract when the cost in the one case is
nearly double what it is in the other
This is an additional tribute which mem
bers Of the City Council require their fell
low-citizens to pay for the sake of their
own personal popularity, ignoring the fact
that they give away other peoples money
for their own purposes.
All this Is done in the name Of ana
nominally for the sake Of the working
man. Nothing could be more specious,
but false and delusive and cannot for an
instant deceive any intelligent working
man who is a property-holder: nor should
it deceive even one Of the favored bcnc-
hcarics II he would stop TO think
II is to the interest not only Of the
taxpayers generally that the taxes Of
the city shall be as light Is possible. but
" is directly 10 the interest OF the work |
ing classes that capital shall be induced |
10 come to Richmond in order that new |
manufactures may he started. the present /
ones increased, and that work shall be
plentiful aud wages regular and good
IL is plain that If this city gets a bad |
name for Il reckless city management and /
excessive taxation capital will fly from it
as from a DEMONSTRATION place.
The short-sightcdness of the policy
which has prevailed in the building Of the
city Han and is proposed for the con-
struction Of the city sewers is shown in
the injury done $1,000 people for the sup
posed benefit Of, at most, a few hundred,
while the benehciaries themselves will
soon lose their work il such a policy is
kept up. The whole practice is not only
unbusiness-like. 1t is vicious. The City
Council, who are but trustees for the
people OF the city. have no right TO adopt
an unbusiness-like. extravagant. and
wastefm method. for the city which not
one OF them would use for himself We
oeepiy regret TO learn from one OF the
largest real estate dealers in this city that
d customer Of his resident in this city.
VINO had large sum to invest right here.
had declined 70 buy Richmond real es-
tate because OF this question OF excessive
taxation and unbusiness-iike management
OF city Affairs. but had directed his agent