Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-30

account OF healthiness ana SITUATION, ''fy
| A ssirable would afford the Richmond peo-
ME cheap and admirable homes We only
need sewers and all our streets macadam-
,v.d IN nresent to all corners most desira-
hJe locations. Consolidation would insure
all this.
30 The wealth OF Richmond would to
sor,e considerable extent flow into Man.
chester, as the development OF the enter
nrIses mentioned would induce such n re-
suit. This would be mutually advanta-
gcous.
10. Forest-Hill Park, with all It's beau-
ties and advantages would soon come
under the control OF Richmond, and be
renewed and perpetual source Of pleasure
and health TO all: while around IL would
be gathered the homes of people seeking
large lots. health, and quietude at Snail
cost.
I'll. Consolidation would put James
river. with all OF its magnificent water
power. and with It's wharfage facilities
Gt being morally known that the more
desirable wharf-sites are on the Manches-
ter side. in the very heart Of a large.
populous city. And financially, consolida-
ton will remove all causes Gf any exist.
which / cannot fnd) OF alienation and
prediction between the two cities. whose
interests and prosperity are 80 closely In
terwoven and intimately related.
STREETS UNDISTURBED.
"These are, terse,y expressed, some OF
the numerous reasons | have for adyo-
eating annexation. Expanded and thought
out in detail they ought TO be convincing.
| have only two conditions that | would
suggest az the basis of annexation tout-
side OF certain details that are not within
the province OF this response TO your
polite requasO-hrst, that the grades and
lines OF Manchester's streets should not
be disturbed and second that in some
stated period Uhe date as near as ex-
ped!enD tn two cities should be con-
nected by broad strong. durable, and
free bridge. and that the same should
be so constructed that all street-car lines
should pass over 1t on its sides. or above
Ton some structure erected on the plan OF
the elevated railways of New York city,,
thus leaving ali the bridges clear and
unobstructed to the travel of the people"
BENEFIT BOTH CITIES.
Ex-Mayor A. G. Atkinson: "In reply to
your question as to the ACCESSIBILITY OF
annexing Manchester and Richmond.
say: Yes. let US annex | have been IN
favor of it for fifteen years. About that
far back | offered bill in the Legisla-
ture to accomplish il, but the measure
failed. | believe 1t would greatly beAeht
both cities. 1t would help Richmond. be-
| cause she would gain several millions IN
real and personal property and ABOUT
| 1900 inhabitants. These additional assets
would give Richmond further limit 10
issue bonds as Manchester's Indebtedness
| is less In proportion 10 her assets than
| Richmoids IL would give a larger re-
presentation in the Legislature. ana give
| Richmond better showing as TO Increase
| Of assets and population since the last
L al nIra htF
| n part of "A larger city; her expenses
would be less. as her municipal govern
| ment and Offices would be merged into
| those OF the greater city. Having large
| and valuable waterfront, suitable Tor
| manufacturing purposes. II would almost
| certainly be soon developed and made
| profitable as the greater city OF Rich
/ mOnd. with its present efficient Chamber
| OF Commerce 10 give Its aid, could offer
| inducements to capitalists which cannot
| now be made.
! again think real estate In Man
| chester would be greatly enhanced in
| value. and made salable, and. then. as
! she would have so much less TO pay for
| the support of separate city govern
ment. IL would give so much more to
street and other improvements. We would
| be nearer the centre Of business in Rich
| mond than many portions of the present
| city, and, being part Of the greater city,
our vacant lots would be built up. Lastly.
we see that the best businessmen Of the
| present age are entering into corpora
| TONS joining their capital together. which
| gives so mucn greater power and means
| and influence, and yet IL increases ex-
penses so little that dividends are large.
| and hence success. Let us annex, by all
means"
| Or. Thomas =. Mathews said he was
| heartily in favor of annexation. The
| cities. said he, have the same social.
| business, and religious interests and
| ought certainly To be under one govern
| ment. BY annexing them the expenses
| Of Manchester's government would be
| decreased and there would be more money
| 10 spend in improvements AT a small
| COST n gas main could be run from
| Richmond and those Of our citizens who
| wished II could have the use of gas. Con-
| tlnuing. the Doctor stated that after
| the erection of the Free bridge property
| on his side of the river increased in value.
| an! he thought II the cities were con-
| solidated real estate in Manchester would
| certainly advance in price. Il should
| certainly like to see the cities annexed
| and firmly believe that both would be
| benefited" concluded the physician.
| THE PROPER THING TO DO.
II have been in favor of annexation
| for twenty years" said Mr.. James l..
| Robertson, of the large lumber firm Of
| Duval e. Robertson. land | hope the
movement will be pushed to success.
/ am glad to see the Dispatch urging
consolidation. I used to think that the