The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-13
Mr.. Meredith Favors and Mr.. Easley
Opposes Extension.
Mr.. BoWE ON CITY AFFAIRS
He Arrai.ns the Municipal Authori-
ties aud Declares That Matters
Are Not as Well hian-
aged rs They Should Be.
Conditions in Lee
District.

The first of the series of public r~se-
ings under the auspices of the Richmond
Chamber of Commerce to discuss the pro-
posed extension of the city limits was
held last right The hall was fairly well
filed with representative citizens of Rich
mona and some few from Henrico..
The announced speakers Of the evening
were Messrs. c. V. Meredith. in favor OF,
and John c. Easley. in opposition to the
extension of the city limits. Moth made
excellent speeches.
Mr.. n. W. Bowe's arraisnment OF the
city authorities ard his charges OF vast
ing money" and their being guilty OF
"egregious folly" created q sensation. ani
Mr. Bowe declared that he could prove
the charges that he made" y number of
other business men took part in the Se'i-
eral discussion.
President Morris. of the Chamber of
Commerce, extended q cordial word OF
welcome. expressed pleasrrre at seeing
such Il representative audience. and alter
explaining the object Of the nesting sur
rendered the chair TO Mr.. David Hutzer,
who spoke very briefly. He said it was
the purpose of the Chamber To have a
series OF such meetings so that this vital
question might be discussed from all
points of view. ''Efad such meetings been
held several years ago, declared alr.
Hutzler. 1.-The last census would have
showed Richmonds population at 100000
or more. and not 5000
MR.. MEREDITH FOR EXTENSION.
Mr.. Hutzler presented the first speaker
of the evening. Mr. Charles V, Meredith.
who championed the policy of extension.
present discussion. and said the speak
Il - ) H., 1T
sion and all sides Of the question are to
be considered
mo one can sny that amy city must
live within any circunscribed limits. In
the present State and under the existing
economic conditions no manufacturing city
can stand still: it must either go forward
or retyograsie. The question before US is
net whether the city should extend its
limits. but whether the time has arrived
for such an extension. 1t is not Gesira-
bility, but a necessity.
.'It is the natural law OF amy healthy
manufacturing city to grow. No man will
wait for all the available space within q
city to pc occupied before the limits should
be extended. The necessity for extension
arises when there is not enough of surplus
space In Richmond to-day there are COM
parativeiy few uneccupied. The cost of
this class of property must necessarily be
enhanced
1t is not Il healthy condition of affairs
when lots cannot be bought and houses
to rent cannot be found. Ii we build
Chinese wall around a city that city will
die of stagnatiou. The time has come
for the extension of the city limits.
SOME ARGUMENTS.
81 hear that one of the arguments ad-
vanced against extension of the city iin'-
It's" said Mr.. Meredith lis that the
streets within the city have not been
uaved This. I hold. is wrong View
Building does not follow paving 49, nav
ing follows building. Who would not
rather have ten $1,000 houses erected in q
section of a city than have one slo,Gdo
house built on that plott The ten houses
are the kind of extension that city de-
&ires That shows u healthy growth of a
manufacturing community.
1--WE are also told that the general
financial condition of the city will not
stand IL. Mr. Chairman. many
man uses that expression when ne does
not know what he is talking about can
prove to you that the financial condition
of the city is better to-day than it has
ever been. You have surplus in your
treasury; you have your City Hall. new
and modern: you have in fairly good con-
ditiou your gas works. and YOU have
vour fire department in fine condition.
BEST IN HER HISTORY.
After referring TO the last extension of
the city limits in 1861 and 10 Richmonds $
good condition at present MIR. Mere
dith said:
II am not here to advocate any wild
-------------