Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-07
MIR. noUNTREE AND THE SCHOOLS.
Gives Reasons Why Additional Ap-
propriatfon Cannot BE Made.


! To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
If to close the public schools six days
this year (which is the worst that can
happen) is necessary, 1T is step in the
right direction Of saving both the city
and schools, and it had better be done
The members of the Council who
pledged themselves to a rule not to
vote for any appropriation In excess OF
the annual budget, and voted against
the extra appropriation for schools, Will
| in due time receive praise instead OF
| condemnation.
| While it may appear unfortunate to
| have to make an example Of such an
| important and broad interest as the
public schools, at the same time such
rule could not be enforced against a
minor department with equally good re-
suits. Such a rule once established and
rigidly enforced as it should be, Will
| result In great good.
| In order to appreciate the Importance
| of such rule one must be informed OF
| the present financial condition OF the
city, brought about by making extra
/ appropriations and issuing bonds. How
| much longer can this be done? If the
| city government is conducted two years
longer as 1t has been conducted prior
| to the present Council, 1t will be up
an excessive, an unjust. bonded
limit Take an honest assessment and
! the city will be 100000 beyond her
bonded limit.
SUGGEST A REMEDY!
With but a pittance in the sinking
l fund; with a fixed account OF interest
and redemption fund, which must be
paid out OF each years current reve-
nue., In amount more than one-third OF
the entire revenue Of the city; with
your streets. sewers, and sidewalks In
a deplorable condition, remedy Is bad
" needed. With these facts before you,
suggest one but not the one which has
caused the trouble and put the city in
its present embarrassing condition-viz (:
That OF making appropriations in ex-
licess of the current revenues of the city.
Turn your city government over to
those who are willing and will make
appropriations in excess Of the reve-
nues of the city and 1t will be but
brief period before not only the schools
will be closed tor six days. but forever,
and your city annexed-not to Manches-
ter, but to the graveyards.
| STRUGGLING UNDER TAXATION.
With the present sharp competition o.
rival cities YOU cannot raise revenu,
by an increased tax rate Your citizen.
are already struggling under the burder
of Unjust taxation, and some Of them
leaving yoar city limits for relief.
There is but one remedy-that o.
living within the revenues OF the city.
Gradually pay off the present burden
some debt. This done, your schools
streets. sewers, and sidewalks will al
be in fiourshing condition. Otherwise
these interests. together with the cit,
itself, is doomed. Stand by the presen
Council in this, the test year, and thu
most critical year in the history of tn
city; keep down all extra appropriation
this year. and notice the beginning o
prosperity in 1885, Elect such represen
: tatives as will continue the rule OF no
: appropriating more than the revenue
of the city; condemn those who woul
try to expend and appropriate money il
excess OF the current revenues OF tn
city. Give praise where 1t Is duet
those who are trying to save both you
city and schools.
II. w. ROUNTREE.