Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-24
CRY prMocpATIC LEAGUE.

~
At the last meeting of the Democratic
League for good government six hundreu
new members were elected. and the foi-
lowing statement Of the purposes OF the
organization was adopted:
The Democratic League for good gov
eminent pledges itself for economy anu
reform i'm the municipal government Oh
fhis CITY. and 10 that end. therefore, De IL
Resolved, That the league VIII give lts
support in the primary election thls
spring only 10 such candl1ales loi ' az
Council as Will pledge themselves IL
elected ,.s.-
To vote only for annual budgets,
during their official term, which are sale-
~ within the clty's estimated revenues
q Not thereafter to vote for any appro-
r,sst,ons except such as are TO come out
~ the contingent fund provided for IN the
budget; and -,.-., A..
To endeavor to curtail the city's hoat-
ing debt each year of the term that lhey
may serve in the Council
The league is a Democratic organlza-
zion. and IT means to work strictly within
marty lines. So 1t viii make its fight at
the Democratic primary election, and VIII
confne its efforts to securing the best
possible material" for membership IN
~. BOARD OF Aldermen and Common
Council.
The platform OF the league, In short,
demands that the city Of Richmond shah
live within It's income. and that the neces-
sary steps shall be taken by the City
Council to reduce expenses.
1t is a movement in favor Of retrench-
ment-a thing very difficult of accomplish
uent. whether attempted in State or
city government. We have just seen the
Legislature Of Virginia adjourn, after
session largely devoted to "retrenchment
and economy" without having made any
material reduction in expenses, since,
though II cut down expenses In two or
three directions, 1t added 10 expenses In
other directions. The trouble with the
Legislature was that it had no popular
organization behind it urging 1t forward in
its work and holding up it's hands. In this
respect our next City Council Will proba-
bly, be more fortunate. II will have back
of IT q well organized body Of thousands
OF earnest Democrats who will sustain
and encourage the City Council in the
efforts that II may make TO bring Rich
moud's annual expenses clearly within
her annual income.
Tho CITY Democratic League does not
undertake TO advise the City Council how
the much needed retrenchment shall be
erected; that subject in it's details 1t
leaves TO the wisdom of the Board of AL
6ermen and Common Council But the
league homes to be helpful in electing
members who will respect the demands
OF the general public rather than the
demands of those who are benefciaries OF
the city treasury. That the league has
undertaken a difficult work, no one will
deny: but In other cities good government
leagues have been successful, and why
should the movement fail here?
The necessity for retrenchment here
cannot be questioned. Our city is acting
the part of u spendthrift 1t Is living
beyond its means. and has been doing so
for many years. City bonds that should
have been sold to enable us to make
many much-needed permanent improve
ments have been sold TO meet an
nually recurring deficits. The Democratic
League entreats the voters OF Richmond
20 help II put stop to this bad business
Motley. and it promises to stand by such
members Of the Board OF Aldermen and
Common Council as Will courageously
vote to put the annual expense account
within the city's annual income.
Last year our expenses exceeded our In
come by $l35,oc0, and our floating debt
now amounts 10 10000. This 100000 has
gone out OF sight entirely. whereas had
financial wisdom prevailed, we might
have used II to give us better streets and
a better water supply.
IL the Democratic Leagues policy Is
adopted, this city in the course Of few
years Will have money 20 spend for works
OF permanent Improvement instead OF be-
ing In debt TO the banks and others to the
extent OF $4,000. Suppose our city had
this $4,000 In hand now; think what a
great amount OF work II could do; how
many worlmen II could employ; how it
could beantify the ethyl But, alas! our
$4,000 has gone-swamped in the general
deficit account Are you willing for this
state OF things TO continue? Ii not. give
- your support 10 the league. And remem-
Der that the league is Democratic or
"A ganlzation. and that its only aim Is to
urge the City Council TO see to 1t that the
city lives within its income. Never can
we have any great sums Of money 10
spend In developing and beautifying the
city unless we cut down our annual ex-
penses until they are easily within the
measure Of our annual income.
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The Post-Oflce Department has decided
10 inaugurate In twenty-five cities OF this