Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-20
WORTH LOOKING INTO.

systematic work during the year 1871 we
are nleased 10 be able to say that our
city has stood the test OF hard times as
well as the average city OF this country
Indeed. we might make this statement
much stronger but we prefer to err, IL AT
oil upon the side OF conservatism befe
and there there has been community
which. under special conditions. has pros
pered OF late. but. az n rule. the condi-
lions that have prevailed here have pre-
vailed everywhere else.
The urban communities. in brief, have
suffered In company with the agricultural
communities The general report from
them Is Of manufacturers working short
hours, numbers of workingmen unem-
ployed, very moderate railroad earnings
great depression in property values ana
many houses vacant for which no tenants
can be found.
Such Is the average condition OF Ameri-
can cities. Where better conditions OBJ
tain they are due, in most instances, 10
transient causes. But all along the line
preparations are being made for better
times. Hope is springng In the human
breast again. Every city and town Is
planning to improve its status during the
coming year. Ours is the day OF concen-
trated effort and combinations OF capital,
and cities are no more exempt from the
vogue than individuals are.
II is to meet the hoped for incoming
tide OF prosperity and TO compete with
those who are organizing to extend their
trade that the Dispatch would have our
own businessmen determine to work to-
gether to make Richmond successful du-
ring the year 1897. What can wo dor
Well we should think that we could DO
what other communities are doing. or are
scheming to do. We can, first Of ALL put
our heads together and see how we stand
We can encourage one another. we can
make openings for new enterprises. we
can watch our interests as they are al
fected by railroad companies movements.
There's plenty to do.
AT this very time Richmond ought to
be helping the Chesapeake and ONO Ran
way Company to conclude arrangements
with the city Of Manchester to lower
the Free bridge. The fact is. II we had
heen as wide awake as we should have
been some years ago, Manchester would
have become a part of Richmond, and
then the pending question between the
Chesapeake and Ohio Company and Man
chester never could have arisen.
4 sf,I.,,r .t,I q
one city. This has been our opinion Tor
many years. and union might have been
effected when 1t was more practicable
than It is now II our people had taken
a broad view of the question. But, UNI
happilv. what we are bound to charac-
terize as narrow views prevailed. NOW
we have the city of Manchester in seem
ing antagonism to Richmond In matter
which involves the expenditure Of some
millions of dollars.
Is this not an opportunity for our peo-
ple 10 show their public spirit? Might
not our brothers OF Manchester listen 10
arguments from us which would fall upon
dull ears coming from the railroad com
pany? Couldn't we aid the company In
this matter? Are we TO stand still and
see this scheme fail? Are we not in
terested? II Manchester isn't disposed TO
oblige the company it may be disposed
to obllge Richmond. What think you?
And then there is the question Of ex-
tending our corporate limits. 1t Is one
that will not down." and though i may
! In. during 4.
il will be revived eventually. 1t is bound
TO be revived-unless Richmond Is Wiling
TO see her business leave here to go into
Henrico county to secure lower taxation
or into Manchester to be nearer the
Southern Railroad tracks, II our present
policy continues indefinitely we people OF
Richmond will be in the position OF tax
ing ourselves to maintain a city which is
largely made use of as a convenience by
our urban and suburban neighbors.
This. we should think. would be sub
iect which might probably engage the
attention Of our taxpayers.
We might say something here as to the
desirability Of our city's cutting down its
municipal expenses until they are safely
within its income, but this matter is now
in good hands The City Council is tho
roughly aroused to the necessity OF adopt
ing a better financial system. and the
! Council is backed by the taxpayers. Bu'
before the reassessment Of 1900 there
should be an organization formed here
that is able to employ counsel and ex
merits TO secure an assessment of our rea
estate upon the same basis that assess
ments are made in other cities of this
State.
II. for instance. we assess at 90 pei
cent. OF the true value and other cities
assess at sc per cent, we pay into TN
State Treasury more than our just pro
portion of State taxes. So far as city
taxes are concerned, in proportion as tn
aggregate values are decreased the rat
will have TO be increased. So there VII
be no gain there, except that our peopl
will understand. much better than thel
now do. what il costs to run our city gov
eminent.
All, friends there is much work here Z
be homework that can only be dom
when public sentiment Is deeply arouse
and when the spirit of cooperation 4
fully developed. We Richmonders pul
very well, but we have not yet learned &
pull altogether. Let's learn that lesson il
1897.
The Richmond Dispatch quotes will