The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-28
FORTUNE HAS. SMILED
ON OUR SISTER CITY

y
all xmas than Manchester. In view OF
these most favorable conu.tons. and the
cheapAess Of ianus. which 4or miles bound
these hallway anu the river.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The city has fine and adequate sew
erage system, which is gradually being
pui INTO operation, and wnicn has become
source of considerable income to the
city, and whic-. will enable the city, in
connection with the income from the
Wa ter works, which branch of the cor
pora,ion prope. ty, owned and operated oy
Tile City, is now becoming a source or
rerenuS, TO lower ner taA-rdte. These
wxter-works are in most excellent con-
dion, and are year by year becoming
more useful and profitable Ihey arc
weiI-mana ged. and when a proper system
OF clarincat.on OF the water is Installed,
which is now being urged before the
Council, will become one of the most po-
tent factors in Mancnester's municipal
growth and prosperous life.
MancneSlers nre department. While ono
of the most economical. rs one OF the
! most efficient in the State. The men en-
plcyed and engaged in this work are
brave, active and vigiiant, and render
the most effective se.vlce. The hre-pluEs
throw the natSr as far and with as mucn
effectiveness as large steam engines, tho
pressure being great, and the manage
full The CITY has been for many years
peculiarly blessed by exemption from Sc,
nous fires. and indeed, with the improve
ments which have been made during this
year in this department. and the other
improvements which the city authorities
have in contemplation, and which. doubt
less, viii soon be mads, our fire depaI +
nent will be most efficient. thus givins
the city increased protection and its
property owners additional security.
MORTALITY RATE LOW.
The health of the city has bsen and Is
most encouraging. In fact the rate o.
mortality has always been low, and Is
sin being reduced Inc heath depart
uIent is aiive 10 tbs work in hand, and is
progressive and energetic. The good or
der and exemption from crime of the city
are proverbial. We have. been heretofore
and are now blessed with a conslrt alive,
moral, o.derly and decent population.
The police force is alert and capable. we
need more men on tbs force, 1t is true
bat that demand will soon be supplied
The finances of the city are In a most
excellent condition. They are wall and
cautiously managed. The Council has
found the way clear to reduce the rate
cf taxes. Our tax-rate Is: City taxes.
sl.lo-luo; school tax. 2oc.; sswer tax. 2oc.:
State tax. 4oc.: making total of sl.eo-lo0
on the one hundred dol ars. Now this.
IS slightly in favor Of Manchester. as
Richmond & tax rate is s1.S0-l0o on the
hundred dollars. not including the sewer
tax in force thsre. which more than
makes up the difference of ten cents
above appearing. To accentuate the dlf-
terence In Manchester's factor, should
be remembered that the assessments In
lis city are lower than they are in Rich
nond which makes the taxes still less
ttre In ratio to the same class of pro-
)erty in that city.
These things are stated In the way O.
business comparison and illustration ana
as indicative of our prosperous condlt on
n this regard, and the prospects Tor
reduction in the future But this tax-late
t is hoped and believed, can again
-educe as soon as our water and sew
.rage connections are fully eSta oil NEG
nd enforced. The streets ana Sidewalks
IRE gradually being improved. many OF
hem having had permanent improve
nents put upon them within the last
-ear. and there are now measures On fo0t
o devise and execute more general ana
persistent efforts in this important ma
.er. 1t Is thought that tie side-wa ks
sill be made of Eranoithic. in comb.
;ation with tuI-fing on each siCe OF the
calk, thus offering a pleasing contrds'
md green freshness, so necessary ano
.elightful. The permanent improvement, S
ave been brought about by a wise policy
md administration on the part OF the
treet Committee of the City CounCi.
yhich seemed resolved to abandon tenn
'orary eXpedicntS, and the future i'm
rroyen1ent of the streets and Sidewalks
will be. it is believed, along different
ines from those pursued in the past. a
Ian is on hand to raise shade-trees. and
urnish them TO the owners of properly
o plant on the streets in front of their
,tC &c will rop,r1ar n
he part Of the Council. and will great
V tend to beautify and improve the city.
EXCELLENT SCHOOLS.
We observe that the educators of the
tate are more thoroughly aroused as 10
he importance OF progressive and ad-
anced educational facilities and msthoSs
han ever before. This is indicated in
lany ways-in the more general discus
ion of educational matters the selection
{ active and skillful teachers. the a!op-
ion of the most carefully prepared ard
tactical textbooks. the Accomplishment
f more work in the schools in give.
me. the enrichment of school coU. SEES
non the primary to the, high schools
18th things that are practical as we
5 ornamental, the advancement OF high
chools. and the insistence of the los
oards in pressing for more money to
leet the needs Of the schools. These
tally important matters are gradually
ecoinnG the work Of thinking and ex-
erienced men, who have the system
eeply at heart and are willing to think.
eed. and work. Notably, are these
lings true of the growing cities of Vi
inia. This great movement is marked
l them by the erection of more ard
stter built and better equipped school
buses, the selection of the best teachers.
le extension OF school courses. the
ricter enforcement Of discipline. the in
fusion in the various grades of instruc
ion, OF the laws of health the rules
ftmoral.ty and good conduct the study
{ civcs. nature study, drawing music
hysical exercises. bookkeeping cook-
g. clay-n1odelling. and manual train.n
nd many other useful things, whic
e being taught from the lowest to tie
fghest grades.
The larger number Of children who at
md school lsave permanently whel
bout fourteen years of age, and SO
ito the world totally unfit to meet it,
.quireInents in information mora,
-rength and aptitude for work. This
tactical teaching in the lower grades
>nds to lessen these defects and cisad
antages and gives c--..uren from the
me lney enter until they leave school
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