Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-14
TAXPAYERS AROUSED.


The city Council Of Richmond is now
boldly launched upon the work or re-
trenchment. The most important "cuts
that it has resolved upon have been passed
over the Mayors yetoes by votes when
show that the Common Councilmen ana
Aldermen both know they are backed by
the community. In the Common Council
the vote in favor Of overriding the vetoes
was unanimous and in the Board of Al
dermen it was IL to 3.
The truth is that the taxpayers OF
Richmond are now very deeply aroused
on the subject of public expenditures ana
they insist that our expenses shall be so
adjusted as 10 bring them safely within
our income They think it bad enough TO
have to pay taxes on inflated real
estate values. without having to see our
city government sell bonds with which TO
meet current deficiencies.
The Committee on Retrenchment ana
Reform and the City Council are now
committed to pursue the work Of retrench-
ment through each department that has
NOT already been investigated and acted
,pon. 1t is expected Of them that they
will mete out even-handed justice. PUP
lie opinion never would have sustained
the committee as II has sustained 1t had
the people thought that the work would
ston where it is. No; the work must and
will 90 on. 1t should be done wisely and
prudently. but firmly No Office or de-
partment should be crippled in its effec-
live force, nor ought any salary to be
fixed at lower figures than those that pre-
vail in reputable business houses here
hut within these limits the community has
the right to expect that rigid economy
viii be practiced.
Even should this be done upon the basis
of the "cuts" already made, there Will
still remain a deficiency of revenue which
will have to be provided for i'm some other
way. Perhaps the new ordinance making
the penalty for delinquency in the pay
ment of taxes heavier than formerly
will result in forcing taxpayers to be
more prompt in paying the city its dues.
The Democratic party of Richmond is
TO be congratulated upon its wisdom ana
courage in resolving to undertake the
work of retrenchment and reform itself,
rather than have our taxpayers fly to
new reform" party for relief. We do
not think that our party will ever regret
this STEP With its duty well and faith
fully done in this respect, it will have
record 70 which it may confidently APP
peal in the future should so-called ere
formers" try 10 snare the people from
allegiance 10 Democracy.
The work that the Committee on Re-
trenchment and Reform has been doing,
and has yet to do, is of very disagree
able character. If the citys circum-
stances permitted it, we know that the
members would much rather be engaged
in framing ordinances TO increase the pay
OF worthy city officials. But that is i'm
possible. We have no choice but TO raise
taxes or cut down expenses-or sell
more bonds to cover the annual deficits.
In short, retrenchment offers the only
practicable means OF relief. And now
that II has been entered upon as TO two
OF the departments. it must be pursued
through all Of the departments, so that
the bond margin that we have left may
be preserved for use in making perma-
nent improvements, Of many OF which we
stand much in need.
And so the work OF retrenchment must
20 ON