Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-11

must combine on Ave men for the Coun-
ell in Clay Ward. if ,hey nronosed to
defeat the Good Government leagues
ticket, agreed 10 name Messrs. planks
and Colgin as the representatives ftom
the north side OF the ward. and leave Il
Tor the south-side clubs to select the
other three.
Mr.. Colgin called the meeting TO order
ana made an extended speech. In which
ne referred to the Good Government
League In no complimentary terms.
He said he had called the meeting for
the purpose Of protesting against the
league, and then asserting that the Of
hcers of the league had asked him TO
get out Of the field. said II know the
Zoo Coos There are some good people
among them. They are all fnanciers
however, and all want TO grind their
axes. We haven't got any axe 10 grind
but II there is to be any grinding / say
let each man pay for his axe as he
grinds IL. These Goo Coos get up and
say-or rather get down in their hole
and say-we are not capable; they say
we should have lawyers I'm the
Council, but j say let us. before we die.
have honest men in the Council 1t
don't matter TO me who "A candidate is
whether he comes from the dump-pile
or from the palace. III vote for him If
he's honest The speaker continued at
some length in this strain.
THE WHEELMEN'S LETTER.
Mr.. Cogin read the following commu-
nlcation. which had been received by
him:
Richmond League Of Wheelmen,
Office Of the Secretary,
Richmond. Va, March s. 1898
To Mr.. f. r.. Colgn:
Dear Sir,--I am instructed by the Board
of Governors of the Richmond League
Of Wheelmen to address you a letter
and request you TO advise us whether.
If elected to the City Council you will
l. Favor the improvement of the con-
dition OF the city's streets; and espe-
cially-
2 Whether you will favor the laying
OF a gutter OF some hard and smooth
substance on Grace street from the Capt.
tol Square to Richmond College, so that
the same may be suitable for us9 by the
wheelmen of the city.
The cost Of this gutter, you may have
seen by the papers. has been estimated
by the City Engineer recently and Is
said TO be from 81 800 to $4,000 Osng
round numbers) according to the class
of material to be used. 1t Is estimated
that there are fis, or six thousand wheels
in use in Richmond, and while we fully
appreciate the need of the city's en-
poying its revenues in the most advan-
tageous manner, we believe that the sum
needed for this Improvement may be
easily gotten from the amount appro-
priated for streets, and part of which is
usually spent in wards at places where
the same is not needed.
1t is not unreasonable that the inter-
ests of the wheelmen should be con-
sidered to this comparatively small eX-
tent. They are a large class of ciu-
zens While they desire general street
improvements. their interests are as
clearly defined as those Of pedestrians or
carriages, and an appropriation for this
Improvement can easily be made out oil
the not inconsiderabe amount appro-
priated for street improvements, II pro-
perly conserved, without detriment to the
other interests of the city, and there
are many ways i'm which the money OF
the city can be spent to the interest of
far fewer Of its citizen.
Kindly favor me with a reply, that
may report the same to an adjourned
meeting of the board, to be held Friday
evening March llth.
Enclosed find stamped envelope for re-
ply. We remain, yours. very truly.
RICHMOND LEAGUE OF WHEELMEN
r. r. Florance Secretary.
Committee: Jackson Guy, J. l.. Ander-
son, and X. r. Florance.
A CONDITIONAL RESPONSE.
He then read his reply to the letter,
in which he said:
The principal streets, not only in Clay
Ward, but in every ward in our city
shall receive my undivided and careful
consideration. l will use my best en-
deavors in this particular first OF all
As TO the second question, | most re-
spectfully beg to be excused, as / do not
thorolfghly understand the financial con-
dition of our city. ." | am for a
strictly good, economical government.
appreciate your communication to me
as to the streets, as no one knows the
wants and needs Of streets more than
the wheelmen. Should j be elected,
assure you gentlemen that / will give
YOU my kindest and just consideration
Discussing the letter, Mr.. Colgin said
Il am for free schools and free books
and for the laboringman's interests. II
the city has more money than she knows
what TO do with, / will vote for cycle
track along Grace street. There Is nc
comfort in riding wheel in wet wea'
ther. and our streets are good enough
for wheelmen in dry weather"
When Mr.. Colgin concluded, Mr.. Dollar
moved that a committee Of seven be
| appointed to name a ticket for the north
| side Clay Ward voters, and Mr.. r. NJ
TilIer opposed the motion. II was car
ried, however, and the committee de
| cided. as already stated. to recommend
! Messrs Blanks and Colgin.