Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-29
THE ,NyExATIoN QUESTION.

The subcommittee of the committee
aupointed on behalf or the Councils Of
1.ichmond and Manchester to consider
the Feasibility OF uniting the two cities
into one corporation. has agreed upon
report favorable 10 the proposition
The next step viii be to consider this
report in the full committee and then TO
,ofer the action there taken 10 the Coun-
ell Of each city Then. II 10 serious OBJ
stscle is raised. a bill will be presented
10 the Legislature to be enacted into
law. but subject to the ratification or
rejection OF the voters OF each CITY.
Thus II will be seen that there is TO
be no undue haste, and every one who
nas an argument TO offer for or against
annoxation will have an opportunity TO
he heard We earnestly trust that bill
may be agreed upon in time 10 be pre-
sentod to the Legislature for its action
81 this session. but we do not feel abso-
lutely sure that this can be done. Ger
fainly il cannot be done unless all who
are interested in the movement make bet
ter time during the next few weeks than
they have made during the past few
months.
However. We do not complain Of the
delay. Perhaps IT was for the best. y
proposition OF the gravity of this pro
posltion ought not to be rushed through,
post haste. Moreover The Dispatch feels
confident that the better the question
s. understood. the more supporters II
viii have on both sides OF the river At
present we know that there are not a
few voters in each OF the two cities who
aye opposed TO annexation. Some give
one reason: some another. 1t is desirable
maj each OF them should be argued with.
Time is needed for this work and so we
urge promptness. not hurry. in the Al
nexation proceedings.
On this side Of the river there are a
number OF persons who do not wish
Manchester annexed. because they think
that IL this be done Richmond will not
care TO annex her Henfico suburbs. Ii
seems TO US that their conclusion Is in
corrcct The more the Manchester an
nexation question Is considered the bet
ter instructed will our people become a.
10 the Injustice now visited upon Rich
,nond through suburbs which enjoy nearly
All the benefits of our city while they
escape the burden and responsibility OF
our city government. Ia short. Rich
mond IS being drained Of population and
OF iaxablcs By citizens OF rival commune
ties The last school census taken here
shOwJ the effect that the suburbs are
having upon this city. How else can We
account FOR The failure OF this city tc
show the expected increase in school
population? SO we say that the time
\ IL rapidly coming when Richmond must
ask for the extension OF her corporate
4 LINKS upon the north side. as We'll as
upon the south side.
80 far as the annexation OF Marches
ter IS concerned. the Dispatch feels free
to say that Richmond wants Manches-
ter In order 10 increase this ciiy's p0pu-
iatlon. secure Manchesters water-power
and unite the two communities into one
for all business and social purposes We
cannot believe that the present move
ment OF The public mind IN the matter OF
developing the ~atsr-powp o. James
river will end in mere talk. Ara II We
really do mean "busnese' we shall md
chat Richmond and Manchester can bet