The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-23
FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT.
REASONS FOR THE MOFEMH'A VI
THE DEnOCRsTfC LEAGUE
Tables Showing Comparison
Elehmond and Other Cities-The An
nuaI Expenses Preserve Our Credit
Editor of The Times:

Editor OF The Times:
sir,-We purpose, through the courtesy
of your columns, in brief Statements "
put before the citizens Of Richmond ,he
reasons for the movement endorsed by
the Democratic League Tor Iooa ooNei"-
ment.
An unfortunate feature in al municipal
movements. based upon unselhsh moti'eS'
Is that it is required to explain not ohiS
what it does mean. but by process Oh
exclusion what 1t does not mean.
The League has not found exemption
from the evils of misrepresentation, ana
therefore finds a seeming necessity 10
define it's purposes. it has no purpose
either to secure or advocate further COM
missions in our city government for On
this point it has neither sought to know
nor does IT know the views Of the League
membership.
it has no advice 20 give, nor purpose 10
advocate, either a reduction In our assess
ments or in rate OF taxation. for 1t does
not believe either can be done under our
present Obligations and necessities
1t has already recorded its views as
against a reduction OF the pay oil police
men, fremen. or city employees. IL taxes
the ground that the pay OF these men
is not IA excess Of a fair and proper
compensation, but demands good days
work for a good days wages.
It protests against the criticism that IL
was or Is a class movement for II mas
ever from the beginning, and does now
open it's meetings to all citizens with
out distinction, who favor the objects for
which the organization was started.
IT does not seek the advancement OF
personal interest, nor will It's membership
permit the use OF the organization In any
way to further personal ends.
THE SECRET MEETINGS.
It has been rated with the offence of
| holding secret meetings, when It's objects
have been known from the beginning
when its membership includes all classes
and is opeu with welcome. TO all who
approve their objects II has held open
meetings in the wards, to which all were
invited. 1t has held business meetings
confined to membership, just as the DEM
ocratc clubs do. TO expedite its business
no more. no less.
| Having by a process OF exclusion SHOWN
what the League does not propose TO do,
we may be permitted now 10 show what
| its purpose is. We say purpose, Tor IL mas
| but one, and that IS to show 10 cluzens
| OF Richmond the necessity that Is upon
| them 70 cease appropriations for opJec's
| not Immediately necessary ana 10 bring
our municipal expenses within our cur
| rent resources. that we may avert nhah-
cial trouble and preserve TO our city the
fair name she has zealously preserved
through all disasters.
The future deliver into the records OF
| the past may find some difficulty In prob
ing the reasons for any opposition TO so
righteous a movement, but the Demo
cratic League may at least secure for the
| present. as well as the future the Justifi-
! cation it finds i'm the attempt TO pre-
serve the good name and the fair heritage
| which our fathers have left US.
We have adverted to the fact that the
| simple and sole issue submitted 10 the
| people of this community by the Demo
cratic League is Let us live within ouI
| income" IL needs no argument 10 sus-
| tain the principle. but some examination
| may be required to show the necessity OF
its application at the present moment.
The bonded debt of the city since Feb
ruary ]. 1856, 10 February l, 1896, ter
years, has increased by the sum of s.
10 GA.
EXCESS OF EXPENDITURES.
Not 10 go back Of 1890, however, VT
shall find that the city has expended IN
excess OF its current resources Tor the
following years the amounts noted: