Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05

RtNED TELEGRAPHIC-NEW SER
VICE OF THE SOUTHERN ASsoCiA-
TED PRESS AND THE UNITED
PRESS.
IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE NEED.
From nearly any point of view on the
Chesterfield shore. or from lady or
Chlmborazo Hill. or from any such emil
ncnce here as the Capitol or the City Han,
Richmond presents truly metropolitan
appearance Nearly every stranger who
comes here expresses his surprise at
finding so large. so lovely. and SO busy
n city. That Richmond has beautiful
site and is filled with imposing residences
and business-houses is testified TO by
hundreds who have no other motive than
10 speak the truth and do us justice.
We who live here and to whom Rich
inond is as the apple OF our eye, might
think that we were biased in our estima-
ton of our home place, II we were not
assured by impartial persons that with
respect TO climate, location, and thrift
ness Richmond is all that We claim for
IL. There have been more tourists In
Richmond during the past three months
than In any like period in many years,
and nearly all OF them have gone away
singing our praises; gone away TO come
back as soon as they may conveniently
do 50 and eager 10 commend our city as
q charming place for the visits Of health
and pleasure seekers. Yet in the general
chorus Of praise We now and then hear
a note OF criticism: a note betraying the
surprise of our visitors that some of
our suburban roadways are better than
any In the city. and that while We have
so many public parks here we have not
one that Is as fully improved as 1t should
be- These are comments that are often
made. and they are comments made by
judicious persons upon state of things
that undeniably exists.
Take. for instance. Reservoir Park, a
beautiful tract of land afiording lovely
views of river scenery and filled in part
with grand old trees. Here we find many
of the roadwayy washed and uneven,
and In many directions a lack Of tidiness
which would not be tolerated in some
other cities that we might mention. And
there Is Shieldss grove Ia part OF Reser-
been TO the general public? What use
are we going TO make OF It? When shall
we see its silvery lake; when shall we
cool ourselves in its sylvan glens? In
short. when shall we make of this grove
the thing OF beauty and public JOY that
II ought to be?
For the matter Of that look at any
park here and notice the walks and
drives and see how badly they need i'm
provement. Yes: we have many parks,
but where is there one which could not
be made doubly as att active as now. If
NE had the money necessary to spend
upon Il?
Then look at our streets. Have we in
Richmond one first-class modern street?
II Sc where is It? IL It Main street? No;
for though Main street has an excellent
Belgium-block roadway. IL has wretehed-
~ rough sidewalks. Is IL Broad, street?
mo. On Broad street We have for some
distance a good roadway; but ii is only
at intervals on Broad street that we have
decent sidewalks. Is 1t Franklin street
or Grace? Neither; neither has a
good roadway. while both have rough,
out-of-date sidewalks. 1t is the same on
Church Hill as on Shockoe HILL 1t is
the same In the East End as In the West
End. Everywhere cur streets need re-
sconstruction uoon modern plans and in
accordance with styles that are now pre-
xaiiing IN this country. We repeat, that
sn the matter OF street building and park
iinproying Richmond is far behind many
90 ha~ efU nj INN
Why are our people so belated In these
matterss Is It because they do not know
what Is going on in the world? No. Is
Il because they have no desire TO walk
on nice smooth sidewalks or drive or
waael on nice. smooth roadways? No
Us Il because they are not willing TO be
taxed as much es the people Of other
cities are taxed2 No. 1t is because
through inattention to business methods
our people have let our municipal expense
account exceed our income and for many
years past we have been selling bonds
with which 70 meet the ever recurring
annual deficit.
Yes. the bonds that should have been
sold 70 put betterments upon our property
have been sold to pay current
expenses. Year after year has this
eraelly depicting and impoyerishing
policy been pursued. We are pIling debt
upon debt. and there Is next to nothing
10 show for It. Soon We shall have 10
fund our ss0oooo OF floating debt; debt
that never ought TO have been contracted.
Now. suppose we had these $4,000 Of
bonds 10 be used in bettefmensl What
beautiful streets might we not makel
How well we might improve our parks!
How easily we could lay lines OF water
pipes that are sadly needed to supply
high points in the city,
Il Is time that we Richmonders were
improving our property. II is time that
w were putting on bettarmenss e repre-
sent bonds issued instead Of issuing
bonds 10 make up defcits in CIR current
expenses But how are we going about
the master1 Does the City Council pro-