The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-13
LEE DISTRICT IS CITED.

ii
1.-THE courts have decided as to city s
powers of taxation said Mr.. Meredith
II believe that the taxes should be slight
" increased, but the revenue TO be de
rived from the newly annexed districts
should be devoted to the improvement CT
those districts
THAT is what has been done in the
case of Lee District" ironically remark
ed Mr.. n. w. Bowe.
1T is not for us to discuss what mas
been done in the past, but what we are
TO do in the future" responded Mr. Mere
dith, land / say that the revenues de-
rived from the annexed districts should
be devoted to the Improvement OF those
districts.
They will be benefited, and why should
they not share the burdens?'
OBJECTIONS TO EXTENSION.
The champion of the anu-eSteiS'oll
movement was Mr.. John {. casey, o.
Herrico county, who in an excellent
sreech declared that annexation would
work great injustice on rha residents OF
HelricO:
This is a business proposition and must
be discuss ed from Il practical point OF
view" declared Mr.. Easiey, and the hrst
thing the property owners IN the proposed
new territory want to krow, rs what 90
You want with them? Do you want them
that YOU may extend the city of F,ich-
n,ond, in fact and give them city Improve
ments; or do you want them that You may
r;iX them, that you may only extend the
city in name, that you may lay your
burdens upon their shoulders and require
them to pay for improvements which yol
now enjoy?
.Unless the city of Richmond is pre-
pared to render ali equivalent, the
speaker said, the system of taxation
an cunts to contiscatior, and the people
of Henrco are not only justified III ask
ing what equivalent you propose TO give
them and when you seek to impose this
enormous burden, but trey have risht
to require your solem obligation, and 70
know to what extent you are able to fui-
fill your engagements, ann redeem your
pledges
The assessed value OF realty in Rich
mord,'' the speaker asserted, SIS about
100 per cent. higher than assessments in
many similar cities throughout the coun-
try The revenues of the city are not
more than sufficient to keep down h&ed
charges, with a small balance, if any,
for betterments. and the custom exists Of
dividing the money for improvements
among the wards without regard to the
greater necessities of some or the pro-
visions previously made for others.
LEE DISTRICT.
what has Richmond done with ter
/ ritOry acquired IN 1857. and with tnat
given her in lS92o'' Mr.. Easley asked.
Sections have remained in the city 80
or 40 years without improvements, and
Lee District presents n worse appearance
today than it did when a part OF Hen
rico, and yet this section has raid into
the city in taxes S145, Go0, and the 24,C0O
spent in grading has been charged up TO
the property owners, who. have received
nothing in return for their taxes. but
f,oo or Ji rt>ft
to nav for having their lots made mud
holes, and their streets at times well
nigh impossible.
..Of the TIC niles OF streets in Richmond,
about % miles are unimprovea ana !acA
culverts. gas mains, and water mains, to
90. nnth frg % IN miles % sidewalks vst
to be laid, And IN the face OF all this
we are confronted with a decrease n
taxable values OF 100000 or st.,V '..'.
whief1 means an annual loss Is tho city
Of eNout $4,000
.Why. gentleman" Mr.. EasleT ex-