Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-20
pIsAGREEABLE WORK.

Some months ago tne LlSPdeSH iN"
oh that Il would be to the interest OF
the municipal corps of Richmond TO get
together and point out TO the City Coun-
al how the needful reductions in the
c,tv's expenses might be made.
That suggestion was not adopted we
cannot truly say that we expected that
Il would be- yet it might have been wen
~ II had. Our expenses must DE re-
duced There's no escape from It, other
cities are cutting down their tax-rates'
while here there is no such proposl'ion'
al, that is demanded by our taxpayers
e that Richmond shall live witnih IT'S
,ncome-and this. Notwithstanding the
fact that our real estate is assessed be-
yond it's true value.
Rut the Committee on Retrenchment
and Reform finds that. no matter III
what direction 1t turns with the view OF
making reductions. it is met by opJec-
tions. "They are not going at 1t right
IS the cry proceeding from certain quar-
ters. vet no one points osit better way.
we confess that we never hear OF a
nroposition TO turn any man out or place
during these hard times, but that we
shudder to think of what may become OF
his family But we take 1t Tor granted
that the committee has like feeling OF
humanity. and will not suggest such ac-
tion. except where it is its bounden duty
10 do so. To cut down ones salary is
one thing; to throw one entirely out OF
employment is quite another. But as
we have said, we are sure the committee
Is not insensible to the feeling that we
confess to having.
However. If the committee should err
I'm any respect. there will be an oppor-
tunity for its error TO be corrected in one
or the other branch of the City Council.
And. finally the action Of the City Coun-
ell must be reviewed by the Mayor His
veto would cah pointed attention to any
error committed CT injustice done.
Yes; reductions must be made. On this
point the community Of taxpayers is
agreed. Now the question is, How shall
these reductions be made? Right there
The committee is confronted by an ex-
ceedingly disagreeable duty. All that il
can be expected 10 do is to procure all
the information obtainable and use its
hest Judgment thereon. Those who see
the committee about to make a mis-
take would be remiss In their duty as
good citizens not to call the committed
attention 10 the fact. and, if possible
suggest how the end aimed at may be
otherwise attained.
There are certain officials the mem
beers of the City Council come into more
intimate contact with than others. II
would be quite natural for councilmer
TO imagine that the services Of these
are Of greater value than the service:
hear little. This is point TO be guard
ed. And 1t goes to show that each
case should be carefully investigated
What the community looks for is equa
ard exact justice-not an easy thing tC
administer. TO be sure
The Dispatch cannot but commend the
Industry, ability. and public spirit of the
gentlemen composing the Committee or
Retrenchment and Reform. Their work
is laborious, disagreeabe and well-nigt
endless; but they have stuck 10 Ii with q
courage and patience that have ELECTED
the highest praise. Let them not weary
IN well-doing let them go on with theii
work. confident Of public appreciation
Nor should they hesitate TO revise anc
correct their conclusions until they be-
Iieve they are prepared TO make re-
port which Is as perfect as possible