Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-07
MAKE RICHMOND A GREAT CITY

The movement to annex Manchester 70
Richmond seems to be making good head
way. our Common Council has recently
passed resolution instructng the
city, Attorney to draft a bill to be sub
mltted to the Legislature, providing Ior
the submission OF the question 10 'he
qualified voters OF the two cities. III '"'9
resolution cur Board OF Aldermen mus'
concur, and like action must De tahe" ~
/ the Council of Manchester.
As we have frequently said, we nope
that this bill will be drawn with 'ne
utmost care Every objection that may
be raised to annexation ought as i"i
as possible. TO be met in advance -
that the proposition will go before 'ns
people with all OF the strength 'ha' 10
entitled tn carry. In each OF the TWO
o,,,os ,horo arc men who are determined
/ to fight the movement, ana the Aiieius "a
the scheme, knowing this, must su'ru
their lines at all points. We have no rear
Of the result Of the vote If the ques,ion
can be considered upon its merits; Du.
the bill will be searched for faults any
all that are found win be ''playeu IDS
necessarily. Therefore. let our -, ,ree
take the utmost care to have '"'
from reasonable objection. ,.uI will
We suppose tlat the Les,a me 10th
adjourn. st the latest, an IN matter
OF March. but It will be u, ~, ironor,ant
=. - confederation for SiiS i'''p'' '1"'
- S.1u'' u'h,cb isn't reported rom d
business "' W., the Isfof March. 1t VIII
commute. ,bis leaves little time Tor
pe s''N ,,,cjls 10 act. and the attoF-
'ne wv .,ouare the bill. But 1t VIII
neyS rush to the Legislature with
rastuy.drawn bill. Better go there iate
...,,h a perfect bill than early with an
imperfect bill
from all that We can hear, the an
nexation scheme is growing In FAVOR po'h
in Richmond and in Manchester. IL pre-
sonts a plan for the development and as-
qrandizement of Richmond which ought 10
recommend itself to the favor OF all Oh
our men of enterprise. Nor need any oil
our suburban friends fear that the an
nexation OF Manchester will prevent the
extension Of our corporate limits IN Hen
rico. on the contrary, We believe 1t VIII
give our people an appetite for extension.
Richmond never ought to BE- content
until she has annexed Manchester, ana
her north-side suburbs-suburbs which
have drawn heavily on our popu-
laiion. and which now enjoy nearly
All Of the benefits Of our city with
ont having to bear any part Of our burden
Of taxation. SO. by spreading out our
CITY. as many other communities nave
done their. We shall be able to make n
very encouraging showing in the next
census. otherwise we shall drop in RANK
again. as we have been dropping IN rank
for many years-not because we have not
grown steadily. but because our rivals
have not only grown, but have extended
their corporate llmi.s.
We 20 In for a greater Richmond IN
Guiding Richmond and Manchester and
their suburbs we go in for the investment
Of home capital at home; for better rail-
way depots. and better streets, and Tor
an energetic use Of al the powers ana
agencies that God has given rs, WHERE
with TO make Richmond a great and
prosperous city.
We do not wish our city 10 go back
ward; fl cannot stand still-it should so
forward. To be explicit. il slangy, we
must get a move on us.