Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-29
CITY AFFAIRS.

CITY AFFAIRS.
The Dispatch expects good TO come
OF the meeting Of the Board OF Aldermen
held night before last. and Of the dis
cussion which then and there took place
What ve hope viii prove TO be fresh
start on the road to retrenchment was
made. when tho meeting was called the
report OF the Retrsnchment Committee
was lying on the table and a deadlock
prevailed. The Common Coun.. had
adopted the report. and the Board had
tabled 1.-THE individual sentiment Of the
majority being that the Board pefOre
acting should have presented to it
schedules OF the reductions proposed In
all OF the departments. and not merely
schedules Of reductions proposed in the
Street and Lsh. departments. The
Board I'm effect. still adheres 20 this
position, and It has recommitted the
whole subject for further investigation
and report. But 70 also sent TO the COM
mittoe preamble and resolutions Of
fered by Mr. Eardwicke. the chairman
Of the Finance Committee, making .aye-
raj searching suggestions, and opening
the way for unloading the greater part
OF the work OF retrenchmeut upon the
Finance Committee.
Yet. by some. 1t IS now said that Gre
trenchment is dead; that nothing fur
Their is to be expected Of this City Coun-
Gil" Others, however. say not So"
that the Committee on Reuenchment has
.much new light before it," and that
st can now easily meet the views Of the
majority Of the Board Of Aldermen. es-
pecially with the help of the Finance
Committee. Certainly, We hope that the
Retrenchment Committee will proceed
with fits work; but there IS nothing easy
about g. II IS a herculeap task; but
1t is task that ought TO be performed
by the Democrats. We ought TO be care
ful not 10 give occasion for the organi-
zation here Of a party TO DO work that
we Democrats are fully competent 70 do.
The Committee on Rerenchment and
Reform should. therefore, be encou-
ragged TO proceed with their duty. We
think the committee would do well TO
consult the departments and the commit
tees governing them as to what reduc-
tons are possible. on the other
hand. We urge an city officers and en-
ployces to enter sympathetcally into the
work Of the committee. Its path should
be made as smooth as possible. The
employees should look upon the commit
tee as their friend-not as their enemy.
1t is mconceiyable that the public, now
that it has had its attention so pointedly
drawn 20 the matter, should be content
10 have our city government 80 ON as
It has been going on for many years
creating year by year a deficit only TO be
wiped out by a bond issue.
We understand that Mr. Hardw!cke
made a statement night before last
which gives good ground for hoping that
new sources Of revenue may be developed.
II So with this additional income
and a proper system Of rorenchment
our city may before long have her
finances put upon perfectly sound basis.
Jsy this We mean that we shan not only be
able 10 pay all Of our expenses out Of
our income. bat shall have sufficient
money over to relieve Us Of the disagree
able spectacle of shabby streets and un-
improved parks
II would be well FOR the puzzle 10
know in what direction Chairman Hard
wlcke looks for relief. and we, therefore,
give In fun the preamble and resolu-
tions which he offered IN the board, and
which the Board referred 10 the Com
Inittee on Retrenchment and Reform. We
quote:
Whereas, the financial reports OF the
city show that for years past the annual
expenditures have exceeded the annual
receipts. and that floating debt mas
accumulated. which now approximate
500, 900, and.
Whereas. some plan should be at once
adopted for the prevention OF these an
nual excesses OF expenditures over re-
ceipts and for the speedy liquidation OF
the debt already incurred; and,
whereas, necessary public improve
ments. urgently demanded. cannot be
made for want OF funds In excess OF the
liked charges upon the City Treasury;
now, therefore. be II
Resolved. by the Council OF the city OF
Sichmond. the Common Council con-
curing:
!. That the Committee on Finance be,
and they are hereby instructed TO report
what legislation they would recommend
TO secure the best methods for assessing
snd collecting the taxes. licenses, and
other lawful revenues OF the city
z. That the Committee on Finance be.
ana they are hereby requested 20 confer
with the various committees and boards