Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-15
RIchmand,s Euture.

We want Richmond TO have her proper
rank and standing among the clties Oh
this country. In all tables where clearing
house statistics. taxable values. ana VOL
ume OF business done count we make
good showing-that is, appear TO the al
vantage that we shouldn't when the
census reports are consulted we seem 10
be away down on the list.
Most Richmonders feel quite sure thar
the enumerators who took the census
here in 1890 were not properly organized
and trained for their work. and that they
made many errors TO our disadvantage
but this fact-and fact we believe IL 10
be-nowhere appears in census reports
OF course not. No. the naked hgures arc
given. and these accord 70 Richmond
population OF but little over n'ooo as Oh
the year 1890.
To be sure. by this time Q95) we are
entitled 20 add about 5000 or 1900 for
natural increase of population; put INC
United States census figures OF 1850 are
the thing that gives city lis rahh' a"u
IL Is useless TO attempt TO escape iroiii
that fact. And the figures Tor iS" wiz
Govern largely until the census or 1907 Is
taken.
II Richmond could and would DO as
nearly all of her rivals have done-anheA
adjacent urban territory-she wouid pe
well up In the ''cities having popuia''o',
~ 10000 or over" The anneAa'ioh Vi
M,,chester alone would put US In tha'
c,ass and by the year 1900 we wouiu
probably be high up in the loo'ooo CLASS
p,chmond and Manchester ought "
come together There is no sense IN thei
s,aying apart. With the bridges winch
NOW snan the James land that othef
,rsat wide. ornamental. stone-aroheo
bridge which we wish TO see buiip 'he
two places can be easily and conveniently
governed as one corporation. And II wouio
certainly be to the interest OF the ousi'
ness people OF the two communities "
see union effected.
Consolidation or annexation wouiu II
our opinion be beneficial TO properly
values In both places without a douo'
thu prospect that Manchester would 'he'
soon have streets as good as any IN i"e"
mond would have a stimulauve ihhuene'
upon property values. Then. too Msnches
Ter would be Joint owners with US OF ou
Fire Department. police force sas-works
e,c II could not but be beneficial to pro
nerty IN Richmond TO have our CITY ris
IN the 10000 class. There are other ar
,,,wents In favor OF annexation that w
might advance. but these are sumcieh'
we should think. 20 set inteiligent ousi
ness.men and property-holdsrs TO study
ing the question for themselves.
we have been surprised and DIS
tressed to find how little real attention
our businessmen have given to this sue
sect. Very few OF them have given
Ave minutes thought. Others OF then
don't even know that the matter Is un
der discussion. We find. too that Their
are some persons here who are out-and
out opposed to consolidation on IN
ground that Il In only q scheme by whicl
Richmond II TO be compelled 10 improv
the streets OF Manchester for the mer
advantage OF being able TO claim Man
chesters ten or twelve thousand OF popu
la,ion. Narrow a. Is this view. we m
that II obtains here with not few.
The friends Of annexation ought to 8
TO work 70 zee that proper evidence an
arguments are placed before the Annexa
tion Committee. They must not let thei
cause fail for lack OF attention. w
wish that our Chamber OF Commert
would appoint committee to appes
before the Annexation Committee an
present the question In tts trus iigh
We wish. too. that our travelling saiei
men would talk to the heads OF the
houses on this subject and tell the'
how and why they believe that snnsx'
ton will help Richmond's business.
In short. those who are In favor OF al