Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-20
rHr LEAGUE COMMANDS RESPECT

ItNL~2os
THE LEAGUE COMMANDS HEs'E'''
II is gratifying to find that the interest
of the public in the movement IN favor OF
a more economical city government Is
steadily Increasing
The number of names OF catizens en-
rolled by the Democratic League Is
already so great that even the prores-
s,onal politician is compelled 10 speak o.
the league with respect
That such a body Of men. wei organized
and animated by patriotic purpose VIII
exercise a great influence at primary eiec-
tons cannot be doubted. Yet the league
has only beFin its work II mas
cantrsI organization only. but In due time
we suppose II will have ward-elubs she
,,,ecinct committees. Furthermore 1t If
reasonable to expect that in the course Of
q few months more It will add several
thousands of new names to It's list oil
members.
The Democratic League has but one
ambition. and this is to be the means OF
aiding Richmond TO secure more eco
non,tcal administration of its municipal
affairs. II Is not seeking to promote the
pol,ical aspirations of any man. l's Iur-
nose IS 10 convince the people OF hieh-
rona that IL is foolish and wrong for our
CITY to continue 10 live beyond It's income
The doctrine that the league breaches IS
that II IL Just as wrong for the city 10
deliberately live beyond It's means as 1t is
20 Instead OF
selling city bonds to meet deficits IN our
annual revenue. we ought TO have bonds
10 sell 10 enable us to enter upon gen
eral system Of improvements for streets.
water-works. etc.
The Dispatch has never charged that
this pernicious bond-selling business was
heeun by the present Council. No, II was
not; II was begun many years ago, and
Council after Council has continued It
until the evil has now reached climax
Last year the deficit in the revenues OF
Richmond was $4,000. and our floating
debt In now about $4,000. This $4,000
must soon be funded into in,erest-hearins
bonds And then. unless a change in sys-
tenn Is adopted. the Council will proceed
and swell until 1t too is funded.
And thus we have been going on for
MANY years rolling up our debt. IL Is
time to stop this ruinous policy. II Is
time 10 apply business methods TO NUM-
cipal affairs. Does the City Council offer
a solution OF this difficulty? II so we
have not heard Of 1t. There's where the
Council is at fault Clearly one of two
things must be done II we would put the
financial affairs Of Richmond upon a bust
ness basis-we must increase taxes or we
must reduce expenses There is no other
way out Of the dilemma. We cannot 20
on living beyond our income without roll
ing up floating debt; we cannot pay on
such floating debts without issuing new
bonds
Plainly. the issue IL between cutting
down our expenses and raising the tax
rate. The latter proposition would not
be entertained for moment-that IL, II
the taxpayers were consulted. AS Il
rule. real estate here IL assessed for oil
that II will sell for. and much 81 it is
unproductive: but. productive or nnpro-
dnctive, taxes must be paid upon IT, all
the same
OF course. we know that to cut down
governmental expenses is terrible job.
II can never be done without a mighty
contest II is an undertaking beset with
difficulties. The Legislature Of Virginia
at It's recent session made a movement
IN the direction OF reducing the States
expenses. but. after contrasting the 70
auctions that II made with the new
charges that II put upon the Treasury.
we doubt II the net saving would pa
one half Of the cost OF the session. II so
much as that. So even though the City
Council should enter upon the work OF re-
trenchment and economy with the sin.
cerest purpose OF bringing the city's an
nuai expenses within its annual revenues
II would need all the support and en-
oouragement that II could get from the
general public In this view OF the stu
alton the Council should welcome-not
spurn-the assistance OF the Democratic
League
The city OF Richmond ought not only
10 have sn expense and interest account
clearly within It's income. but II ought
20 have surplus 10 meet unexpected
calls upon the Treasury. Then the Is
sue Of bonds could be restricted en-
tirciy 10 works OF permanent improve
ment: 10 betterments 10 our property.
What would be thought OF a railway
company or banking institution that
year after year sold bonds to meet an
nuaily recurring deficits? Would Il
maintain It's credit long? No. In
deed That is Richmond's situation
with. this difference-that our city
can tax and tax until the voters rise up
and say, Enough OF that. step, Go TO
living within your income?' 1t would