The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-15
THE GERMAN-AMERICAN.
An ENTH UsIAsTIC MEETING HELD
AT SANGER HALL LAST NIGHT.
Messrs. John Is. Purcell and Mr.. virginius
Newton Explain the Object of the
Good Government League.

food Government League.
The interest which Is being taken in
municipal politics was demonstrated last
night by the largo number or members
present at the meeting OF the German
American Democratic Club, held in Sanger
Hall. Nearly all OF the prominent Ger
man-Americans OF the city were present
as were also several Of the leaders OF
the Democratic League for Good Govern
ment.
Mr. William III. Zimmerman, president
OF the club, presided, and stated that IL
was called meeting of the club. IL was
usual, he said, for the proceedings to be
In German, but as there were 80 many
friends present who did not understand
the German language, he proposed that
all the speeches be in English. When
the GermanAmerican Democratic Club
was formed, two years ago. he said. its
objects were identical with those of the
Democratic League for Good Government,
recently formed.
COLONEL PURCELL SPEAKS.
After a few further preliminary re-
marks. Mr.. Zimmerman introduced Col
onel John y. Purcell, president or the
Democratic League for Good Government,
who would, he said, explain the objects
Of the League.
Colonel Purcell began by complmenting
his German audience. as being always
among the first to take part In move
ments for the good of the city. lie then
went on to speak OF the terrible condi
ton OF the city's finances, stating that
Richmond could issue only 100000 more
Of bonds before reaching its limit-only
500, 900 stood between her and bank
ruptcy; and II the Water-Works were 10
become seriously damaged, or the gas
holder should blow up, necessitatng
large expenditure, the result would be
disastrous.
Colonel Purcell said that he did not
charge that there had been wiful ana
premeditated waste Of the city's money.
but the money had been wasted, and IL
was now high time TO call malt. lie
then went on to defend the Democratic
League for Good Government from The
attacks which had been made upon it.
He utterly repudiated the idea that the
League was antagonizng Democratic
clubs, and said he was sure that they
had made n mistake in working against
the League. II the League never went
any further than II had already done. he
u
ton OF the budget in the Council re-
Gently showed.
Colonal Purcell closed by saying that
he knew that the trend of the German
mind was towards facts and figures, ana
IL. after having had them laid before
them, they did not endorse the work OF
the Democratic League for Good Govern
ment. he would be disappointed In the
German-American citizen.
Colonel Purcell was frequently inter
rupted by applause. his audience seeming
thoroughly in sympathy with him.
MR.. MENTIONS REMARKS.
Mr. Zimmerman next introduced Mr..
Nirgiuius Newton, who, after a tribute 10
the German-American citizens, went on
to explain the objects of the League. Mr..
Newton said that the League had never
inquired into the matter or placing the
affairs of the city under the control OF
commissions; neither did they propose
TO reduce the city's assessments; ali they
cOntended for was that the city should
I've within its income. Mr. Newton then
read list Of figures, prepared by him, TO
show how for six years past the city
had steadily gone on exceeding its In
come, and was now face 10 face with
one OF TWO propositions should she keep
mp her present mode or lving-to raise the
charterlImit OF bonds TO be issued by
the city or 10 raise taxation. The Dem
ocrauc League. he said, says mo" 10
both OF these propositions. II says Live
within your income.
III you want TO raise the charter
limit" said Mr.. Newton. you cannot do
so for two years. as this is purely a
legislative functin; and If you should
raise the charter-limit. It would depreciate
the bonds at present outstanding"
Mr.. Newton then took up the promo
sitlon to increase taxes. This, he de-
clared, would be ruinous TO business pros
poets, and would be most disastrous TO
the future OF Richmond He then read a
list showing the comparative rate OF tax
alton between Richmond and other cities
He also read long list OF statistics. some
Of which seemed to stagger his audience.
RAISING TAXES.
What would be the effect Of raising
taxatlon?" asked Mr.. Newton. 1T would
be disastrous in many ways. have heard
OF manufacturers visiting this city ana
being very much pleased with sites, but
when they heard Of the valh OF property
and rate Of taxation, gave up the idea
OF settling here.
Mr.. Newton said that what was the
matter with Richmond was that she had
had TOO much city Hall.
We have had the pride OF city Hal. q"
he said; now we must take the fall
Four hundred thousand dollars would
have been abundant TO have given US
all the city hali we wanted. Instead, we
spent close 10 sl.4O0 CO."
It was notable fact that the League
had called no names and abused no one
said Mr.. Newton. They had not asked
the Council Of this year or former years
for the appropriations that had been
made. lie felt as much responsible as
any councilman for the waste, and now
was the time TO send good men to the
Council.
"Al We have TO DO" Mr.. Newton said
SIS to acquit ourselves Ike men, and ali
Will be we'll"
Mr. Newton's address concluded the
speech-maklng, and after a short bust