The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-11

are larger than Richmond, twenty-five OF
the forty-fve, with populations ranging
from 800 to az, 0O0 have smaller debts.
The average population OF these twenty
Ave cities is 1905: kichmond's popula-
ton is s.. $50: the average not per capita
debt OF these cities is 1854, while the per.
CAPITA net debt OF Richmond is Sts.H. (By
net debt we mean debt less sinking fund.)
Or to he more liberal to Richmond, we
will compare it with the average OF every
city in the Union, with populations rang
inc from three and half millions down
TO thirty thousand There are 1S4 OF
these cities, and their average per cap
tia not debt Is s47.5s, while Richmonds Is
S7S77 In other words, Richmond net
debt is 65 per cent greater than tnat o.
the average city in the United states.
Has Richmond that much the advantage
Of her neighbors? These facts sussas. ,
conditions in municipal government tial
are not inviting to a people VINO are ~ GO
from debt and who enjoy the ullspsr1N
able blessing of an economical anu AoiAeSe
administration of their local affairs.
THE SCHOOLS.
If the proposed line is adopted, the
three high schools now in the county allo
twelve other public schools will De taAeil
into Richmond and g, large NUMBER oi
people now patronizing these schools ana
living just beyond the line OF anneSatio ~.
will be entirely deprived of sclooi PiiN
ileges The present annual revenues %
the courty amount to SIS, 2o.0S OF which
1si1e4 are derived from the territory
within one mile of the present city i1rnits,
leaving s31, 1889, which, at the present
rate of taxation, would be all OF tie
funds available with which to pay Inc
county expenses, including schools. rms
would shorten the school session TO tht co
or four months, unless taxes are IN
creased 20 supply the funds taken by tlle
city Of Richmond.
OF the 5000 people in Henrlco hctuai
count shows that at least two-tnlros iise
within one mile OF the present city nm
its. which would only leave population
in the county OF about 10000 ana "hel EN- =
the majority would DO white or black -
an extremely doubtful proposluol1, viii
the advantage in favor Of the blacks.
Eichmonds area is now 3.526 acres; tne
territory she proposes to annex contains
SO acres an area IS per cent. larger lla.1
tha entire present city. Lee IrstrlEt mas
heen in the city for ten years, anu u'ii ms
oil, that time only 1900 feet of the ten
Lie ~ huilding lots there have been
milf unoo, leaving room for ahout S,ouV
houses which. with unoccup1ed space LOT
several thousand more in other paris ol
tho CITY. furnishes room enough on Which
to build g. city about one-thiro tns sl1e
of Richmond. Of the JIG miles OF stieea
now within the city limits, hfty-seVen
niles are sraveled Ia method empioyeo
In making county roads, ana twenty
EIGHT miles are unimproved. Many, many
miles of gas mains and water mains at' 'i
culverts are yet to be extended, ana ap I1!.,.
f,ftv miles of sidewalks to be lad. WIN
civ improvements still lacking, thesSs
ororartv holders who were Incorporated
in 1867. are still grooming under the hea"y
burden Of city taxes, without nope gnu
without remedy.
NO GOOD REASON.
There can be no possible. legitimate
public necessity for such wholesale an
nexation as now proposed. II Richmond
were willing to do so, she could not I'M
proye such a vast territory. Generations
vet unborn will not live to see
hundreds of acres of this property
improved. and to force these people into
the corporate limits. and subject them to
city taxes. under such circumstances, IS
conflscation, and repulsive to every prin-
ciple of local self-government- Other CIT
les who wish to extend their corporate
limits put themselves in positions to offer
an equivalent and why should Richmond
he more favored? The necessity OF the
situation may be urgent, but 1t IS no
hardship that Richmond shonld be re-