The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-15
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY j.. 1901.
THEpARAMoUNr ISSUE.

We have said time and again within
the past several months that in our opin-
ion the most important question before
the people of Richmond was the extern
sion of city cc-veniences in such way
as to induce property owners in the out
lying districts within the city limits to
improve their property. and we are high
~ sratified to observe that many citi-
zens are now taking the same view.
It is a very live question, and while
there has been some DEPRESSION from the
main issue. il Is. nevertheless, Il fact
that the people generally are greatly in
1erested in The subject, anG it is now
tie chief topic of conversation il local
circles.
The city of Richmond is largely a
business corporation. and its Affairs
should be conducted on strictly business
principles 1t is To the interest of every
Taxpayer and to the interest of the city
at large that the ortying districts b.
built UP rs rapidly as possible, for this
means an enhancement Of values ana an
increase in the taxable values Of the city.
The greater the sum total of our taxable
values the greater the revenues Of the
city and the more money there will be
to spend on public Improvements. To
say nothing of the question of justice, it
Is. we. contend, a good business PROPOSE
ton for the city to eNpend money in in
Gucing property owners in these outly-
ing eastricLs To build. Eight Years ago
that section of the city known as Lee
District was taken into the corporation,
and, as has been several times stated,
within that period these property-holders
have paid into the city treasury the
sum of Sl45,0od, and the only money that
The city has expended on their account
has been the sum Of $4,000 in making
streets, but even this charge is assessed
against the abuttins property ana is
held as a lien on such property. This
money collected from the property-hold-
ers of Lee District has been used in other
sections of the city. and Lee District has
cost the city nothing, because as the
property unfortunately has not been built
up there was no need for policemen and
fire engines and so in that section
The city has been going on from year
10 year drawing large sums of money
from these taxpayers and giving them
absolutely nothing in return Perhaps
the Taxpayers themselves were in a
measure 10 blame because they let things
go on and took no organized action TO
get from the city what was justly due
Them. BIZ they have now organized.
have laid their case before the Council
and have asked in justice and as a mat
ter of business that q liberal appropria-
ton be made for sewers and water mains
and gas mains and paved streets
From all that we can learn the mem
bers of the Council have given polite
and earnest attention TO the plea that
these citizens have entered. and have
shown every disposition To do something
for them. II is proposed to expend $4,000
IN constructing a sewerage. and that is
q step in the right direction, but only
ono step. We believe that all the nee
cs'saty coseeniences should he extended
into this district soon as possible. and
that it is a sound business proposition
10 do so. We cannot expect that there
Sill be amy considerable building boom
in the Lee District simply because a
sewer main has been laid along Meadow
Street. When The Council expends any
considerable sum of money in that sec
ton. it desires to see adequate returns
in the way of improvements as soon as
possible. Therefore, the wise thing to-
DO is Tor The Council 10 put that prop
eity in building condition. to offer in
ducements. and all inducements necessary
TO these property-owners to build. II
that course be pursued we have every
reason TO believe that large number
OF handsome buildings will be erected.
But this is not all. With the city con-
seniences extended into Lee District and.
fifty new buildings started here and
there, all the property in that section
VIII enhance from 80 to 100 per cent in.