The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-26
THE wORKINGMEN ARB THE VERY
ONES WANTED.


The platform which the City Demo-
cratic League for Good Government has
adopted has been several times published,
but it is just as well to print it again. 1t
is as follows.
The Democratic League for Good Gov
eminent pledges Itself for economy and
reform In the municipal government, of
this city. and TO that end, therefore. be 1t
Resolved. That the lease viii give It's
support IN the primary election this
spring only 10 such candidates for the
Council Is will pledge themselves, If
elected
1. To vote only for annual budgets
during their Official term. which are safe
iy within the citys estimated revenues.
?. Not thereafter 10 vote for any ap-
piopriatons. except such as are TO come
out of the contingent fund provided Tor
= the budget. and
8. To endeavor to curiai the city's
floating debt each year of the term That
they may serve in the Council.
% We cannot understand how any citizen
having the interests Of Richmond at
heart can withhold his heartiest endorse
ment from every word of this platform.
Richmond needs an enforced economy
and she is beginning TO need IL very
badly. The city's revenues are not equal
10 the scale Of expenditures upon which
her affairs have been lately conducted,
although taxaiion here is hcavy-very
heavy--and it woald be enormously to
the advantage Of every person living in
Richmond il ii could be reduced. We ran
behind last year $4,000 That u.s. We
spent $3.50 900 more than We had, so that
tie city now owes that much more as
permanent debt. upon which she must
hereafter pay interest. She has been do
ing this same thing for several years past,
until she now owes from this sort OF deb,
100000 which is now to be permanent
~ added to her intercst-bearing debt.
and the interest to be paid upon it has
TO be raised by taxing the people. I'm
other words. We have within few years
past spent 100000 OF our capital for orii-
nary expenses. Any person OF ordinary
prudence knows at once that such q
policy Is runous. and that 81 adhered to
IT must result In bankruptcy We cam
not understand. therefore. how any cit-
zen Of Richmond. high or low. rich or
p,or, capitalist or wOrkingman: can with
mold his most cordial cooperation from
any movement that has Tor its objects
TO force our expenses down 10 the level
o. our means. and 10 reduce taxation. IL
possible, to the very lowest point thai
Will yield enough for our necessary ox-
penses.
And. Of all men in tie city. the work.
ingmen are most interested to secure this
result. Workingmen must have work In
order To live in comfort. But il takes
money TO establish and run the industries
that can give workinemcn employment.
Now, men With money will rot invest Il in
places where the taxes are high. What
ever the Inducements may otherwise he.
they viii not locate In places where they
are heavily taxed. They viii seek other
places with lower taxes. although the
other inducements OF the latter places
are less thanthose of the former. The
workingmen are. OF all citizens OF Rich
mond. those most interested 10 force the
city 10 live within her means. and 10 re-
duce taxation 10 the lowest point pos
slhle.
We have been totally unable 20 under
stand the inspiration Of those who have
been endeavoring 10 prejudice the minds
Of our workingmen against this move
ment. il has been seduiously represented
as a movement hostile 70 The Interests
Of the workingmen. and an effort has
been made TO induce them TO believe that
those engaged In the movement DO not
want the aid and cooperation OF the
workingmcn. This is the vcriest nom
sense IN the world. Those promoting this
movement want the aid and cooperation