Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-06
THE vrroEs AND INFRINGEMENT

The Common Council night before
last by unanimous vote, passed GER
tain retrenchment ordinances over the
vetoes of Mayor Taylor.
The conclusion of that branch Of the
City Council is, we think. the conclusion
of the communicate wit, that Mayor
Taylor gave no good reason why the
ordinances should not become laws, nor
proposed any better plan than the COM
mittee's for bringing the expenses Of
Richmond within her income.
These ordinances. affecting two de-
partments. Will now have TO so before
the Board of Aldermen. and their fate
in that body is uncertain. But if the
Board sustains the Mayor we much fear
that this whole scheme of retrenchment
and reform will come TO an end, and
that the people will look to an indie
pendent organization 10 give them the
relief they have vainly expected Of the
Democratic party.
We say this may be the result-but
we hope for better things We hope
that the Board will follow the example
of the Common Councillor else inform
the public what is its plan for stopping
the annual deficit.
1t is clearly the duty Of the Board
TO do one Of these two things. and in
our Judgment any other course on its
part will be hurtful to our party here.
For many years past Richmond has
been living beyond her income. The de-
tn al
annum. To provide for these annual de-
ficits bonds have been sold from time
10 time If we continue TO pursue this
course, the result will be that we shall
exhaust our bond margin and have no
bonds left with which to enlarge our
water-works and make other very much
needed permanent Improvements. Not
another bond ought TO be sold to pay
current expenses. Every bond that We
sell hereafter should be for permanent
improvements. our streets are now
deteriorating 80 rapidly because Of the
small appropriations made for them), we
shall in time have to make large ex-
penditures to improve them. And where
shall we get the money for this purpose
except from lDe tdlt Oh bOIIH.
So 1t seems TO the Dispatch that
a peremptory stop ought to be put TO the
sale of city bonds except where their
proceeds are TO be used for permanent
improvements, or TO meet some sudden
and extraordinary demand in which the
interests Of the whole community are in
volved.
But, to save our bonds for permanent
improvements, VIC shall have TO do one
OF two things-cpt down expenses, or
raise taxes. 1t is not TO be successfully
disputed that real estate here is already
assessed for more than its worth. and
while our tax-rats is Sl.4O on the 800 of
value. by reason Of the generalization.
the rate is really very much higher.
Hence. 1t is not TO be thought Of that
our real estate should be burdened any
further. Then, shall the City Council!
increase the license taxes? Let our
businessmen answer. Is there one OF
them who would not resent such a move
ucnt as an outrage? Then there's no.
thing 20 do but ia retrench If we would
save the rest OF OR bonds for permanent
improvements.
we conclude. therefore. that the plan
OF retrenchment adopted by the Com
mittee on Retrenchment and Reform
ought 10 be adopted unless better one
IN forthwith proposed as a substitute
therefor. The Democrats Of Richmond
viii be much disappointed II their rep
resentatives In the Board o. Aldermen
bring retrenchmcrt 10 a halt.
our party is capable OF dealing with
this question extensively and conclu-
siyely. and II ought 10 DO so. Don't let
us give cause for the organization of
another reform party here Don't let
us be foolish AMI stubborn about this |
matter.
In default OF presenting to the public |
better plan for retrenchment than that |
now under consideration. let the Board /,
OF Aldermen pass the ordinances over |
the Mayors veioes, ana let the Com /
mittee on Retrenchment and Reform |
then proceed 10 make recommendations /
for cuts IN an OF the other departments |
OF the City Government. Bur. on no ac- /
count should the work that has been |
begun DO allowed 20 stop.
We repeat. we auch fear that, II we !