Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-06
TELEPHONES.
OUR CROWDED CONDITION.

The new Constitution of this State
.couires the Legislature to pass general
aw for the extension or contraction OF
:he corporate limits OF our cities and
towns. No speciaI act will be permitted;
hence it is Of the highest Importance that
our senators and delegates should give
carly ard patient consideration to the
legislation in question.
Sooner or later Richnond's limits must
be extended. But the time for that action
cannot be fixed now, for the reason that
the suburbanites want to know what
.errns" will be offered them, before they
consent to annexation. and, to be quite
frank, among our own citizens there is
some opposition to an extension of our
hounds These opponents want more city
improvements in their own neighborhoods
before improvements are extended to the
county.
The Dispatch is an anneXationist, but
It has learned something from the les
sons OF the past and it recognizes the fact
that no matter what sort of a law is
passed by the Legislature. no annexation
movement will succeed unless it be
backed by the overwhelming sentiment
Of this community. We must, of course,
wait and see the terms Of the general
law governing the case: then we shall
have to ascertain If our people are ready
TO propose annexation! If they are then
we may get ready to argue with the sub
urbanites.
hot will Iaol of
time. Meanwhile. there is tremendous
demand here for dwelling houses and
complaint is heard that the price at
which building lots are held is too high.
We do not care to enter the controversy
which is going on over the last branch
Of the subject, but We think it not amiss
10 observe that much territory in Rich
mond that would furnish highly de-
sirable building lots has been dis
credited by being given over to the dis
orderly classes.
The i'll repute of Penitentiary Bottom
for instance, affects neighboring property
for considerable distance around. If the
bottom were cleaned OUT" if its bad
name Were wiped away, the result would
he as beneficial as would be the taking
into the corporation of a large slice Of
lIenrco county
What is true Of the Penitentiary Bottom
heighborhood is true of many other neigh
borhoods. Yet property owners have Of
fered very little resistance to the granting
of liquor licenses In those neighborhoods,
Ind the "licentiates, so to speak, have
not been suitable men in all cases OF the
so1 bar-rooms in our city many are located
in neighborhoods such as we have des-
cribed, and some are near to public parks
and houses of worship.
If the Citizens Union and the public
generally, would make a vigorous fight
for the redemption OF Eucn neishborhoods
as we have described, hundreds of good
building lots would be brought into mar
ket. which else would never be fit for
anything but the use now made of
them.
1t is wonderful with what patience citi-
Gems have allowed property of theirs to be
run down In value by the encroacn-
ment of the bar-rooms and dis
orderly houses. A little energy.
public spirit and concert Of action upon
the part of neighbors would have prevent
Sd much OF the mischief that has been
lone.
When the time comes again for grant
Ing liquor licenses, those who are enough
interested TO be willing to raise their
voices IN protest Should go be
fore the Judge OF the Hastings
Court, and lay before him the
facts. and. in our opinion such al effort
would be productive OF great good.