The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-01
FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT.
THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF
CLAY WARD MEET,
Interesting Figures Submitted by MIR. 'ir-
ginius Sewton-Other Enter
tanning Speeches.

meeting at Belvidere Hall last night,
which was well attended The meeting
was opened by Mr.. jenkins, who briefly
expressed his qualification over the large
attendance, and especially the number
of workingmen present.
Colonel John d. Purcell was introduced
as the first speaker who explained that
those who were about to address the
meeting had no axes TO grind and were
only interested in economical govern
ment. He then read the objects OF the
organization, which have been published
in the columns Of The Times. lie did
not believe that there was any man IN
this city, he said, who would announce
himself as candidate for any office
who would antagonize this platform.
Colonel Purcell next read the provision
that no member OF the league should
vote for any one for member OF the
Council who did not pledge himself to
vote only for appropriations within the
limits Of the city's income. At present
the city's bonded debt was so high that
it's margin was nearly reached by the
floating debt Consequently, no more
bonds could be issuei. should any great
calamity occur TO the city. Year AFTER
year the city had spent money In excess
OF It's income. Last year the noatins
debt was increased $4,000, or the bond
cd and floating debts together by ABOUT
100000. while the assets had only been
increase about 100000 1t was wrong
10y tho opponents - charge that this
League was making war on the Demo
cratic party. If any one WAS TO leave
the Democratic party. he felt conviI>sc
the opponents would be the ones Ihe
city vas a large corporation, and could
aNUrd 20 pay better wages than pri-
yate Individual. but for this very reason
she had the right TO expec, the best re-
turns for it.
High taxes drive of manufacturers,
raise house rent. make the poor poorer
II affects the owner Of a small house more
than the wealthy man. the speaker CON
tinued. No one IS benefited by IT, eN-
oept he man who renders service 10 the
| city. but would be incapable 10 work
| for private individuals. The tax rate
| her. IS 40 per hundred, in Chicago 1t
| Is $40. but in this city the limit is a.
most reached, while in Chicago IT Is only
IA per cent. of the valuation OF property.
| so that a thousand-dollar house In Rlch'
| mond would pay S14 In taxes, but IN
| Chicago only S611.
MR.. ROOSEVELT PAGE.
Mr.. Roosevelt Page was the next speak
| or. who said that he appeared as pr
fessional man, but felt proud to SPEAK 10
vorkineman par excellence. lie brleHy
enoLe of the objections that have been
| raised to this movement. III inns Pi" =
! form IS not Democracy, he said. what If
| democracy? What does II stand Tot
/ Economy and honesty in the adnlnls'Ia-
| ton of The affairs OF this city. ana the
| promotion OF It's business interests Al
| objections are summed up In the com
| plaint that the league Is a secret oIsai'.
| cation. What is its secrecy Is II not
| what everybody ia THIS city can "'0
| tain. II ne wants 20 know II!
| II has been asked: How will you econo-
nize? VIII YOU cut down wages! we
cav No. but we want 10 prevent the
| council from spending more money IMAM
| tho CITY has. He said this movement
...as based upon honesty, good sense ana
| good business principles, and, therefore
| could not be laughed out OF existence
| STARTLING FACTS.
Mr.. Virginius Newton theh ION" -
am not an office-holder, he said. crave
no Office: there IS not an once VI ''1
CITY. state. or nation that l galnsay'
am q mernser Of this league, ana became
a member on principles that carry any one
into n Let us come down 10 what the
ntatform about commissions about IN
creasing assessments, reducing the rate or
| taxation. of reducing salaries OF onlcihis
or wages OF employees. II has one sole
| object that the city shall live within It's
| Income. The question has arisen as 10 the
necessity OF living within our income.
The speaker here presented quite d
number of figures showing the eNpendi-
lures. revenues, and issues Of bonds by the
CITY since 1890. From these figures. when
were obtained from the AUDITORS once
Il was shown, that III 1890 the city eNpend-
ed 81. 49S. 1863, while the receipts were w.
is S7. showing an excess or the e1pehdl-
lures over the receipts OF S5lO,2'B for that
year; the sum of sl7l.775 was expended IN
buildings. and the bonded debt was in
creased by SCI .6e7. In 1891 the expenses
amounted 70 $l.493,3l5. the receipts Si'z"-'-
700 showing an excess or the expenses
over the receipts OF s20636. During tha'
wear the sum of siSs,475 was paid or on
the debts OF the city. but at the same
time the bonded debt was increased Soio,-
400. In 1892 the expenses were S'iee'49'
and the receipts <l.3l6.42l. showing an ex-
cess of the expenses over the receipts
| of SI72 43f. During that year bonds were
issued amounting TO Si3l,650. In 1898 the
expenses of the city were sl,666,SSi, the re-
ceipts $l,3S2G5i. showing an excess OF
S2S3. 7s3 of the expenses over the receipts
and 1925. 500 worth Of bonds were issued
during the year. In 1894 the expenses were
N.77l6s9 and the receipts sl,29l,s23, showing
an excess of $i7o,776 of the expenses over
the receipts. During that time Se9@' iio
worth Of bonds were issued. Besides,
there were during that year issued &l5,lW
worth of baby bonds. In 1895 expenses
were Sl.T2S,62l, and the receipts N0s0,Osl
showing an excess OF the expenses over
the receipts OF s64J545. During that veal
s3fo,9iG worth of old bonds were retired
and S526,5O0 worth OF new ones issued.
Besides, the city during those years pai'
the following amounts on discount anC
interest on the floating debt: In 1880, 81,
COO in 1891, S14.OO: in 1892, $500; II
1893. IS, 900. in 1894. $1,000. N 1895. SIS
0OO-making total OF SIS. 43S The tota
amount OF expenditures on the part of tbs
city for the years 1890 to 1895 was 80
647 ,369 and the total amount of receipts
81. 494 925, showing an increase OF III
bonded debt during that period OF ST.
3D. 545 The assets of the city DURING
that same time increased $4,000 caused
By the erection OF the city Hall school
! houses and additions TO tire public parks
The credit the city enjoys to-day, tn
speaker SAYS, Is the result Of the labor
% people identified with the league
The charter limit Is eighteen per cent. o
the assessed value OF the property. o
about three or four times as nigh as 4
any other city In this country. Will
! tbi., "a rtpr limit ard floating debt "