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

quired to do equity. and II somo one must
suffer for misfeasance or malefeasance,
we submit that It should not be innocent
third parties.
We are told that Richmond's motive IN
annexing new territory Is to make q bet
ter showing in population We might
have accepted this statement as TRUE, If
she had shown Interest IN this matter be-
fore the last census. The population of
Richmond has gone forth to the world. as
$3.50, and nothing can change 1t but an
official count, and that can not be had
until 1910. II population Is what Rich-
mond wants, why does she seek to annex
hundreds upon hundreds 2f acres OF
sparsely settled farming lands? Why
doesn't she extend her limits in the di-
rection of Manchester? There we find
a city ready made. We fear she mixes
business with her sentiment, and Is de-
tered by the fact that she cannot use
Manchester as means OF raising money.
# increase in population is any materlai
part Of the real reason for wanting eS-
tension. why was it put OIL until aIter
the census? or, having been put on why
is it agitated now, nine years before any
benefit can accrue? We must look further
for some reasonable explanation Of this
desire, and we think we find it In condi-
lions which are practically ADMIRED III
many public utterances.
In report of the meeting Of the Com
nittee on Annexation, held, on the night
of October Is, 1901, the following appears:
1.-THE motion appointing the subcommlt-
tee ITO gather tnformation) was recast SO
as to leave out the inquiry concerning
future improvements, and TO 1mlt tue
work Of the committee to ascerta1nlns
the population and assessed values OF lai,a
and improvements IN the proposed terri-
tory
WHAT DID THEY MEANT
II Richmond honestly intends to sive
city improvements as an equivalent ior
city taxes imposed, why Is 1t that some
steps have not been taken to ascertain am
and report the cost of making city I'M
proyements throughout the new territory?
What did the committeeman mean When
he declared that che regarded population
as q theoretical advantage. but taxable
valuation as the read advantage anu
another committeeman when he sald:
THE unimproved areas now within the
city are loudly calling for mun1clpal I'M
provements and they should have the hrst
attention. After proper provision IS mace
for sections like Lee District Chez is IN
favor Of turning to the districts beyond
Isn't it perfectly plain that they want
! larger territory, that they may, py aklnS
it, provide for their present urgent neces-
stiles? Their bond limit has been prac-
tically reached, according to report the
sinking fund depleted, the unusual income
of the past year or two from the payment
of delinquent taxes. to escape the land
sraboers. exhausted. And one OF the
largest daily papers in Richmond had the
temerity to announce editorially that an
nexation sis indeed q necessity OF the SIT
uatlon." having previously announced IN
It's news columns that mo vote or consent
OF the districts to be annexed is required
Is this tho language or are these the SEN
timents OF people who honestly desire
a. mutual exchange Of benefits. or Is IT
the language of a people driven to ex-
tre1nity by extravaganza or abuses IN
government who now seek to recoup thel
fortunes and avaid the consequences OF
their own acts at tho expense Of others!
We cannot believe that the good people
of Richmond will countenance such gross
Injustice, when once understood, what
ever may be the design of ward pol1tl-
clans.
1t has been suggested that the city
limits should be extended mile in every
direction for sanitary reasons. rms Is
reflection upon the Ilealthfulness OF
Henrico that We resent, and we clal-
lenge on authentic comparison with t<1ch-
mofld.
For obvious reasons We had hoped TO
avoid discussion along this line, put II