The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-14
and the adoption of a system in improve
STAND ON HER RECORD.


President Ebel, of the Common Council.
referring to the remarks of Mr.. Bowe at
the Chamber OF Commerce meeting, said
the City Council was perfectly willing TO
have the expenditure OF public funds con-
sidcred and locked Unto. In his remarks,
reported in Yesterdays Times. Mir.
Bowe charged that the city's
money had not been properly spent, and
that taxation without benefit was the
rule. Mr.. Bowe declared that injustice
rank injust.ce''-had been done, especial
~ in the suburban districts, and charac-
terized Lee District as a horrible exam
pie.
What has the Council donc?" declared
Mr.. Ebel Look about the city and see
for yourself Look at the business dis
tricts and compare the extent of paved
streets with that of a few years ago. In
the districts where paving was needed
there paving was done. Main Street is
paved from Fulton TO the city limits in
the west. Cary Street from the Ameri-
can Tobacco property to the west for ap-
proNimately two miles. Broad Street is
now paved out as far as Hancock, when
only IA few years ago the paving extend
ed as far as the Masonic Temple. Look
at Marshall, al Clay, at Fifth, at Sixth
and al Seventh Streets. and see how the
conditions have been greatly improved,
and compare their present condition with
that of. say, three years ago.
Franklin Streets is now being repavel.
and when the rehabilitation Of the Rich
mond Passenger and Power Company's
properties has been completed, you will
have Il practically new street. Some of
the streets in the outlying districts have
not been paved, but paving was put where
it was needed.
MONEY IN TREASURY
For the first time in many Years. the
city has q balance IN her treasury Get
the Auditor S report and see for yourself
what was saved out of the appropria-
tions and added TO the sinking fund last
year. Look at the improvements made
to the city's property. Take, for instance,
the Gas-Works: how that property has
been improved and the capacity largely
increased. Look over the other city
property and see what has been done
and then remember that money has been
saved and put away to the citys credit.
Two Years ago the Council was compelled
to borrow money to meet the necessary
demands of the city, but it is not so to-
day Last year the city. lived within
her Income by s12o,GG0.
These are facts-facts that cannot be
disputed. Yet we hear that the Council
has mismanased the city's affairs and
that the Council has been guilty of vast
3
folly
WHAT THE REPORT SHOWS
Adopting the suggestion of Mr. Ebel. a
Times writer obtained q copy of the audi
tcr's report for the fiscal year ending Jan
uary 81. 1901. which shows that OF the
$l,513152.5s appropriated last year for all
purposes. the sum of $1,47133, ,942.S2 was ex-
pended, leaving d balance ole ?69,01034.
AS street improvements We're centered
upon in the general discussion Tuesday
might, the figures will prove interesting.
During the past year Of the $4,000 appro-
prlated for sewers, s21,34S.97 was expended,
while of the $500 appropriated for sewer
connections, SSl was expended. The engi-
neel's department payroll amounted to
$l0,610, while streets generally exceeded
the $50, coo appropriated by s3.5S. For hands
and carts on street work an appropriation
OF $500 was made, but was exceeded by
S1.16 while the payroll for the roller and
crushe, comes to s., 1G less than the $S2,-
000 credited. The repairs to bridges
amounted to S5,5S699 while $4,000 was ap
propriated. OF the $4,000 lfor paving side
walks, S15, ,7S7 sc was used. and for the paw
ing of alleys for owners s.. 925,2 Of the S4.
coo appropriated was used. The 5000 appro
rriated for opening alleys covered the ex-
penditures along that line TO the cent.
GOOD GOVERNMENT LEAGUE.
Mr. Z. 4. Catlin has been appealed to
that steps might be taken for the re-
organization of the Good Government Lea
que. NJ, Catlin stated at the mass-meet-
ing held sn the Chamber off Commerce
that if 'itfe meeting had aroused
a spirit in flavor of good government
among, the ciuizens. it had been produc-
tive of great good, even though it had ac-
ccmplished no other purpose.
Mr. Catiin said yesterday that he
was in receipt of many communications
asking that steps be taken looking toward
the reorganization of the league. and had
pledges dt support
The people, however. are aroused" de-
clared Mr. Catlin, land if the present sys-
TEN Of municipal log-rolHng' is not stop
ped somthing will be done. People on all
sides are demanding benefits and improve
ments that are justly theirs, because of
their taxation.
IF the present methods employed in the
expending OF the city's money are not
greatly changed, I think, the people will
take the ,natter in the courts. Their tenn
per is just such at the present time. Re
forms are needed"