Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-31
pLArFonM or THE "GOo-Goos.'

The rapid enrolment OF members by the
Democratic League for Good Government
shows that the platform OF that organi-
zat;on meets with general approval
That platform, in brief. pledges ,ne
league 20 the support OF candidates lot
the CITY Council who will see to IL tha'
Richmond lives within its income 10
such platform as this no good citizen
should object. That IT IL a step In the
right direction cannot be denied. Inc
trouble has been that for years past the
CITY Council did not feel that II Was
sufficiently supported by public opinion ~
iustify II I'm pressing forward needful re-
trenchment measures. SO long as the
great body OF taxpayers were unconcerh-
ed we could not well blame the City coun-
ell for hesitatlng to make movement
which II well knew would be VIGOROUSLY
and vociferously resisted.
SO far. indeed. from adopting measures
Of retrenchment, the expenses OF the Guy
have been steadily increasing But al inns
win be changed ere long, unless we great
Iy err in judgment as to the strength "a
tho movement which Is contemporary
referred TO in certain quarters as the
"Goo-Goo movement
The men C'Goo-Goos'D who are IN ia'ol
NJ e5od government here can stand deai
Of chatting In the performance OF 'neIr
duty when they have the assurance az
they have, that the great BODY Oh 'he
neonle. whose function 1t Is TO pay INTO
the city treasury (and draw nothing QUIZ
are heartily In sympathy with the pur-
pose of the organization.
The battle that the league Is waging Is
for n lust cause 1t is a Democratic up
rising: IT is upheld and advocated py
every Democratic newspaper publlshed III
this city; 1t Is n business-like movement;
IL aims at compelling the city TO i've
within its income, and IL 1t succeeds Rich
mond will have bonds which she may
make use of to carry on great pubic I'M
movements. and thus give work to hum
dreds of workmen who are now uhem-
ployed.
For years past Richmond has been able
10 do little in the way of improving heI
streets, and even The little sum OF money
appropriated for street improvements mas
rarely been apportioned in the most judi
cious manner. The cry for better water
supply Is heard every summer; but there
is no prospect Of the public wish being
oratlfied. because we are 50 very near
the limit of our bonded debt The truth
is that we shall never be able TO enter
upon any great work Of public improve
ment until we have ceased selling bonds
IN meet deficits in current expenses. 1his
baneful policy of ours must be abandoned
before we can have bonds to make use
of on street or water-works improve
ment.
And so all who wish to see this city
have nice, good. smooth streets and
water supply that is creditable to Rich
monds importance must hope that the
day will soon come when there VIII be
bonds which we may sell for the purposes
mentioned. Whenever our annual eX-
penses are brought within our revenues
we shall be able TO look forward to the
coming Of this glorious time.
The purpose Of the "Goo-Goos' Is well
known. IL Ia 10 hetp ilchinoHu StShN
good government. That is not good
government which, year after year,
spends more than its income, and post
pones much-needed public improvements
rather than curtail the annual expense
account.
The "Goo-Goos' (good-government mem
appeal to the sensible and patriotic people
| Of Richmond TO say if such an object as
that which has inspired the formation of
| the league should be derided and hooted
down. No one dares 10 come out and say
that the platform Of the league is not
a good one, but there is an underhanded
scheme 10 laugh 1t down, and to speak
of the league as a dangerous class or
ganization. 1t cannot be successfully as
sailed by argument, and the battery OF
prejudice is now to be tried upon IL; but
we think that this, too, will fail. Indeed,
| the indications are that the league will
be a great success. and soon many OF
| those who are now hootlng at the pro-
| cession will be trying to "climb into the
| band-wagon."