Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-09
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 0, 1895
Thu Canitnl City Of Virginia.


Our Common Council has taken the FIRST
step In the matter Of the consolidation oil
Richmond and Manchester by passing a
resolution providing for a committee oil
conference between the VIC city councils
The Board Of Aldermen at its next meet
fns VIII doubtless concur In The action OF
the Common Council and then the reSo-
linton will 70 to Mayor X. NJ. Taylor
for his approval. Then the city Couhcii
Of Manchester will be called upon TO act.
This movement, for the consolidation OF
our two cities Is the result OF years anu
wears q delibcration. Few pubic-spiri'ed
mon who have given the subject careIui
thought have failed to reach the concur
sion that consolidation will be mutually
beneficial 10 the two communities.
Manchester as n part Of Richmoh
N,onld have n brighter future than IL mas
now. lis property would improve in value
All u.,,h additional means q communica-
lion between the two places Mah'"'s'''
would certainly increase In popul"''""
and business. We should never be content
un.ll the river was arched over ior d"
,ros, broad avenue sufficient for all the
,r,r3c ~ bigger Richmond for one nun
dred years to come.
Richmond would gain by CONSERVATION
,,~.,,i,g the p~osition in the list of cities
,vbich she is entitled TO. For years We
have been dropping lower ma 'o"'' "
rauk-not because We have ever 4H''
IN show a good increase or ropulA'''"
~, because annexation and consolidation
have been practiced by other cites ""'
not by US. ,r
Richmond appears to disadvantage IN
,b. fable showing the population OF 'he
chiof American cities. We are below 'ne
,no,, mari whereas We should be above
q II Is only when an eXhioit Is nav
of hank c|learances and property Nal"eS
that Richmond gets her true RAM inc"
q, e seen that we have more puS"'e
= ard have more real ami personal
,~o,er,v than most Of the cities IN 'He
,o,no class Between Richmond ana Ne"
C-i,,,s there IS no city that equals ours
st., nv such telling figures as those we
,,va mentioned, And with Mahohes'''
and Richmond and their most Hhpo' '"''
suburbs unincd w should have a P'1'"'A
80, 10 reinforce our financial staVsucS'
.v ~. ser7rates Richmond ana man
chester f. James river. Nothing ou' an
,.on,,rv lirc separates US from some oi
~. ,hicklv populated suburbs that shoui1
-,oxo1 As t. thu other sHburns
which should become n part OF fHohhlOn''
,h.v are separated from US ohly J.!
e..,oo creck-an insignificant, stream.
The Dispatch would have the people u
Richmond and Manchester ana 'he" a"-
,u,bs go about this matter calmly anu W.
rberateIy. The committee OF coh'e'e"o'
ho,,1 no COMPOSED Of our wisest councii-
,o., because. inevitably, knotty ques-
80 u,ll have 20 b. met. Those VINO may
-, favor consolidation will be able 10
,,,ss questions which may be made diih-
cult ~ solution.
-, NC all resolve to deal with the SUB
sec, with broad-rhindedness anu III .
s1,,, OF patriotism. Il there any virgin
IA, who does not wish to see lAchinohN
~an,,vt,g her proper position IN the
co,,xv 81 large cities? We trust NOT.
~. believe that our two communities
ready for union. Hut there are many
As,si,s which must be arrahsed oe'o'e
ems can be signed. There must be hes'-
.,a,to, and discussion. These we nope
In y. CO conducted that those who may
J.. unfriendly TO the consolidation sche"e
,r,u have 10 opportunity to arouse pre-
tuaicc AGAINST it. In ouv opinion Man
cbes,cr needs Richmond. We emo" .""'
richmond wants Manchester. Let 'Ne"
cor,e together as one corporation