Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-23
LETTER FROM THE LEAGUE.
It's Aims Explained and the COndf-
ton of Our City shown.

To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
We purpose, through the courtesy oil
YOUR columns, in brief statements, to put
before the citizens of Richmond the rea-
sons for the movement endorsed by the
Democratic League for Good Govern
ment.
An unfortunate feature in all municipal
movements, based upon unselfish motives,
is that 1t Is required to explain not only
what II does mean, but, by process OF
exclusion, what 1t does not mean
The league has not found exemption
from the evils Of Misrepresentation, and
therefore finds a seeming necessity to
define its purposes. 1t has no purpose
either to secure or advocate further com
missions in our city government for on
this point It has neither sought to know,
nor does It know, the views Of the league
membership.
1t has no advice to give. nor purpose TO
sessmeats or in rate of taxation, for it
does not believe either can be done under
our present obligations and necessities.
1t has already recorded its views as
against a reduction of the pay OF police
men. firemen, or city employees. 1t takes
the ground that the pay of these men is
not in excess Of a fair and proper COM
pensation, hut demands a good days
work for a good days wages.
1t protests against the criticism that
IL was or is a class movement for 1t has
ever, from the beginning, and does nov,
open Its meetings TO all citizens. without
distinction, who favor the objects for
which the organization was started.
1t does not seek the advancement Of
personal interests, nor will Its member
ship permit the use OF the organization
In any way to- further personal ends.
II has been rated with the offence
of holding secret meetings, when its OBJ
jects have been known from the begin
ming, when it's membership includes all
classes, and Is open, with welcome, to all
who approve their objects. 1t mas held
open meetings in the wards to which
all are invited. 1t has held business
meetings confined 10 membership, just
as The Democratic clubs do, to expe-
dite its business-no more. no less.
Having by process of exclusion shown
what the league does not propose to do.
we may be permitted now to show what
its purpose Is. We say purpose, for II
has but one. and that 1t 10 show TO
citizens OF Richmond the necessity that
Is upon them to cease appropriations for
objects not Immediately necessary, and
TO bring our municipal expenses within
our current resources, that we may avert
financial trouble, and preserve to our city
the fair name she has zealously pre-
served through all disasters.
The future deliver into the records OF the
past may find some difficulty In probing
the reasons for any opposition to so
righteous a movement, but the Demo
cratic League may at least secure for the
present, as well as the future, the justi-
fication 1t finds In the attempt to pre-
serve the good name and the fair heri-
tage which our fathers have left us.
We have adverted TO the fact that the
simple and sole issue submitted to the
people OF this community by the Demo-
cratic League Is "let US live within our
income" 1t needs no argument to sus-
tain the principles. but sofsae examination
may be required to show the necessity
OF its application at the present mo-
ment.
The bonded debt Of the city since Feb
ruary /, 1856 to February l. iss6-ten
years-has increased by the sum Of ST.
i2s.s24
Not TO 90 back OF 1890. however. we
shall find that the city has expended
In excess of its current resources for the
foliovine wears the amounts noted: