The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-04
TUESDAY. DECEMBER 4. 1900.
Weather forecast for Fred
erickSburg and Vicinity.
CLOUDY and PROBABLY rain
Tuesday.
DAY IS BREAKING.

The City Council has recently tax
en- one OF the most important steps
that has occurred in the history OF
Fredericksburg. Ia deciding upon
street Improvement and sewerage,
and bonding the city for an sddi-
tlonsl sum of $1,000, the Council
has, we hope, inaugursted new era
that portends much to the city and
its people, and the action should not
be lightly looked upon. 1t is a
weighty one, to say the least.
In the proceedings of our ruling
body on this subject, which have
been published in full in these col
umns from its incipiency to its cul-
miration, 1--WE have seen nothing
to ehids any member Of the Council
over. Very properly they scceded
to the demands Of the business inter
ests of the city, Its good reputation and
the comfort of its citizens in deeid-
ing upon these improvements. The
final action seems to have been the
result of mature consideration upon
the part of those to whom the matter
was intrusted, and we do not believe
that, in the methods they have de-
yised and will carry out, they have
been influenced by any eiamors
which may have reached them. The
minute and details of the pro-
ject are their own; the general re-
suit was by call Of the people.
To say that The FREE LANCE is
rejoiced that the city is to undergo
improvements is putting it mildly.
We have been ashamed in the past
for our lack of street Improvement;
in future we will walk with elevated
heads. But through it all there
arises q shadow which may or may
not be 3 warning. Nevertheless it
bids us talk dispsssionstely of the
future. After the first glow of pleas.
ure has subsidized We believe that the
people and the press should get down
to calm reasoning and reflection;
otherwise we msy be found founder
Jig in quieksands that now appear
TO Us as sbimmering and firm shore.
To be brief we think that although
it has been determined that We pro.
coed with the work public interest
should not rest there. tits possible
yes, more than probable,t to our way
OF thinking-that the sum it is pro
posed to expend upon this work will
be insufficient. There is almost in
vsriably 6 vast discrepancy between
engineers estimates and the actual
cost Of large work when completed.
Estimates are generally based upon
fair sailing-everything favorable
Contractors and builders know vel
that to such estimates there must be
added q large percentage of the orig
inally calculated cost. If this has
been done in q liberal manner all
may be we'll. In our humble judg'
ment the amount named will be in
sufficient to carry out in full the
work as proposed. That would be a
disappointing condition if the sums
appropriated should be found mad
equate and the work have to cease
when partially completed. Equally
as bad it would be fit were found
at the completion of the work that
another large amount Of indebted
ness would have to be incurred by
the city to enable the committee in
charge to pay out. Frankly, we ad-
NIT that it will surprise US if fifty or
seyenty.6ve thousand will not be
nearer the amount needed to carry
out the work IS proposed than the
sum already named.
Whatever the improvements may
cost we hardly believe that the Coun.
Gil will feel warranted in increasing
the rate of city taxation. One ray Of
hope is found in the fact that the re-
assessment Of properties here has
shown q marked and steady increase
for several years, with fair pros
peet of q continuance. This,
of course, will mean increased re.
ceipts from taxes. Assuming thai
this will be true the solution OF the
difficulty will in measure be met.
Taking all these things into cursory
consideration the subject " uld seem
to appeal strongly for good, sober
thought, dispensing all visionary
prospects that may arise from en-
thusiasm- which, st best, may be
termed patriotic and progressive, but
must necessarily produce chaos and
disaster in the end il robbed of wis.
dom and discretion.
Just at present the U. S. Govern.