The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-24
THE COST OF 1T.

We are hearing now a good deal about
the cost imposed upon the state TOT
bringing the military to Richmond TO
preserve the peace and protect property
at time when it seemed that the riot
ere would have full sway.
In the first place. we wish to observe,
the presence of the troops was necessary.
and the Governor was perfectly right In
calling them out. The local authorities
proved unequal to the demands Of the
situation. and there is no telling what
bloodshed there might have been but
for the arrival of the soldiers in large
numbers.
It would have been to trifle with a
serious situation to have called out only
few companies. The Executive no
doubt recalled an incident In the history
of this State. where fatal economy was
exercised in sending a few soldiers to
point of danger where formidable
show OF force was needed.
A more prudent policy prevailed here.
When the military appeared In this city
they came in numbers sufficient to over.
awe the rioters. though they could not,
at once, altogether restore the peace
TINT had been broken
And. so we think, the closest inquiry
will show ~ that the military We're
needed here; co that 1t was wise to
have them here In large force. and (3)
that the money cost. though large, was
q good investment for Virginia to make
The local authorities informed the Gov
ernor that they were net able to deal
with the situation. II, in spite of this
warning, the Governor had refused to
call out the soldiers and there had fol-
loved a bloody riot, he would have been
denounced, and properly denounced. from
one end OF the State to the other and
throughout the land.
While the expenditure in question is
generally referred to as having been in
CURED on behalf OF Richmond, Henrico
and Manchester were, proportionate to
population, as much beneficiaries of it
as we were. For the matter Of that. the
whole Commonwealth was deeply inter-
ested: but the danger-points were in
Richmond Henrico and Manchester-not
in this city alone. but in all three of
the communities we have mentioned. We
all exceedingly regret this expense, but
we venture to, Say the great body of
Taxpayers OF the Commonwealth, upon
mature consideration. will not dtsap-
prove 1t.
Our two cities and Henrico pay a great
par. Of the taxes of Virginia. and this
Is the first time we have had occasion
to ask such help of the Executive, while
we have cheerfully paid our quota Of the
cost incurred In sending troops. when
needed, to other parts of the State.
1t is we'll to consider that law-break-
ers have been given an object lesson here
by the State authorities, and 1t cannot
be doubted that the result will be advan-
tageous to Virginia, Our laws are not
made 10 be despised and outraged. and If
local authorities cannot execute them the
State can and will But we do not be-
lIeve Richmond will be caught in such
predcament again. Our city government
has had a tremendous shaking up, and
the Issues raised recently will be carried
into the municipal campaign, which takes
place next year. That is unavoidable
That is desirable.
Our electorate is now much reduced
and restricted. and public interest in city
affairs has been raised to an unprece-
dented pitch. Now. certainly. there Will
be no contemptuous indifference on The
part OF SO many OF our best citizens as
to who are candidates for office.
The voters of the city for the next
eight or ten months should be very
busy thinking over the situation and slow
candidates, because II is very probable
that candidates not now discussed vii
appear in due season.
But. returning 10 the matter Of tn,
military. let 1t not be forgotten that the
service of the military here was equiva
lent TO their being in regular schoo
OF instruction, The experience they
gained was valuable. Other States spend
IN annual encarnpments as much none!
as Virginia has spent on this occasion
and yet their soldiers do not get the prac
teal results that have been gained by
ours.
The military were fortunate In hav!ni
for their commander Colonel Georg
WAYNE Anderson, who DISTINGUISHED him
self for prompt ana courageous action
for tact and good judgment in directing
operations against the rioters, and VIII
took excellent care Of officers and men
Ard he. in turn, was fortunate IN havin
able and trustworthy lleutenants-som
OF whom arc our townsmen: others res!
dents OF other portions Of the STATE.
90. let not the thought be en!srtaine