Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-12

OF .ntere-t in the matter OF the ahheAo-
ton OF Manchester TO Richmond. we trust
that II will now receive careful atten''o"
and that when. at last. plan IL asreeu
upon between the representatives OF Tue
two cities II will receive the hearty APP
proval OF the Legislature and OF the peo-
pie.
Before a bill can be drawn ana SUBMIT
ted for legislative action numerous oe-
tails of great importance must De asreeo
unon. Tho consideration of these VIII re-
auire time. patience. good sense ana re-
c,nrocal concessions. 1t would be worse
than useless-it would be an irreparapie
blunder-for US TO 20 before the Legieia-
ture with bill which was not support
| ed by the best sentiment in each OF the
two cities.
Richmond must make some CONCESSIONS
in view OF the benefit that she wouio ue-
rive by increasing her population ana py
bringing the people Of Manchester INTO
closer touch and sympathy with this city
Manchester. for her part, must make
concessions in view OF the manifold au-
yantages that would accrue to her as
part of the city OF Richmond. In snort
the movement is one that II SUCCESSFUL
will be richly beneficial to both commu-
mites. So. any bill that Is drawn with
the expectation on the part of its pa
irons that 1t will become law snouid
make these facts clearly appear
We are DESTROYS that Manchester shall
be annexed to this city as soon as posi-
bic. but we know the danger TO be rear
ed from immature schemes, and We
therefore advise our friends TO consider
well every step that they propose 10
take. Unquestionably there VIII DC
opposItion to the movement; but we De-
lieve that IT is in the power OF It's iriehos
so TO fortify themselves with facts, ns-
ures. and arguments as TO be apie u
overwhelm their opponents.
Richmond ought TO extend her corpo-
rate limits in Henrico, as well as III
| Chesterfield. If we do not do so we
shall find ourselves cutting sorry inquire
in the next census. We cannot but be
hurt If we fail to use the weapon that
other cities use to maintain their import
ance. Here we have been going on lot
nearly thirty years without making any
considerable addition TO our tetritors'
whilst rival cities have been constantly
reaching out and taking In territory anu
population both. The result OF TINS Is
| not only that we are dropping ana drop
ming in rank rs one of the considerable
cities of this country. but here we see
villages springing up all around us.
These suburbs not only draw from Rlch-
monds population. but they oner resi-
dents the opportunity OF enjoying nearly
all the advantages that Richmond gives
her own people-and this without their
paying any city taxes.
This sort of thing viii not do. II Is not
business In self-defence Richmond
must ask for an extension OF her corpo-
rate limits The Henrico suburbs ought
to be taken into our city and made fuli
sharers Of all Of our privileges and re-
sponsibilities.
During this year of 1896 we look for
great movement here in the direction OF
industrial activity. The time has come
for Richmond and Manchester TO unite
their efforts for the development and utii-
ization of their water-power. The hour
has come for action. We must cease eX-
pecting outside capitalists to come here
to do for us work that We are amply able
TO do for ourselves We must put our own
shoulder to the wheel.
Should this industrial movement begin
here this year. as we hope and trust
that it will, 1t will be vastly to the ad-
vantage OF Richmond and Manchester
to be united so that they may give to 1t
| an impetus such as 1t could not otherwise
/ have.
Look at II as you may. whether from
the standpoint Of population, or OF econ
omy in municipal administration, or or
! industrial development. the union OF
, Manchester and Richmond seems desira-
bic. Yet we do not urge hot haste. Far
from il. We must be sure OF our ground
as we advance. The drafting OF con-
sollda;ion bill Will require exceedingly
great tact and skill. and no little labor.
for. as we have said to be acceptable it
must commend itself not only to the favor
Of the Legislature, but to the favor OF
the voters OF the two cities.
1t cannot be long before the clouds or
doubt and dlstrust which now vex the
/ financial world will he lifted. Then will
come buoyant feeling; then will there
be great activity I'm business. and, IL we
are wise, we shall have Richmond pre-
pared to avail itself of the opportunity.
1t won't do for US to trihe with the situ-
alton any longer. We must proceed
forthwith to make use OF our natural
advantages; we must display more en-
ergy and liberslity than we have dis
played in many years. II we would not
see our city decline In importance and
i'm tine means Of employing her population.