The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-08-08
The Principle Of Annexation.

The Times-Dispatch Is not SO narrow
md prejudiccd as to consider personal
end Individual interests one way or the
ether in discussing a question like annex
alton, which concerns the entire COM
munity 1t has not been our desire to ex-
tend the lines of thetcity In any direction
for the purpose of taking in any factory or
factories for revenue only. But we have
opposed on principle the manipulation
of those lines for the simple and only pur-
pose OF leaving out Of some factory or
factories that they might escape city taxa
ton. we Insisted that tho lines should be
drawn in such a way as to promote the
9 puhlic interest, regardless of ans private
interests affected. for the public Interest
IL always more important matter than
The interest of any Individual or indi-
viduals. This paper would be untrue to
itself and to the public II 1t did not OPP
bcse every species of class legislation,
whether it be in the line of annexation
or otherwise.
The lines as originally adopted by the
Council were drawn In the public interest;
they were CHANGED ln'the Board of Alder
men In the interest OF few individual
concerns. No argument whatsoever was
offered in support Of this change. save
and alone the argument that It was FOL
the benefit OF certain individuals tina,
,icy should be changed, It, IS that propo
sition which we opposed upon the broad
est principles OF popular government. We
meant no disrespect, but It seemed to US
10 be little less tnan insolent that The
scheme Of annexation should be changed
End the lines DETECTED and zig-zngged fol
the ayowed purpose Of subscribing private
l. terests. II these factories has been II
an out-of-thc-way place. we should never
have supported any attempt to run thu
lines out Of their natural course In orde
to take them In. but as by chance they
fell within the lines us scientifically
drawn. 1t appeared to us to be trifllng
with the public welfare TO defect III
ines In such way as 10 leave the fac
tories out. There was no moro reason for
leaving out these properties than Their,
was for leaving out all other prom
critics in that locality similarly located
II the same policy had been carried out
In all directions. there would have been no
annexation whatsoever. except of the
property Of men who raise no objection
10 incorporation, 1t would have been the
same thing ps though we had con-
suited every individual property owner
IN lie outlying districts and had run
The lines to suit, excluding one and
taking In another, according to individua
choice. The whole principle Is as falls
as can be, end destructive In It's ten
dfncy Of public interest and government
Itself.
1t IL for the Council to run the lines !,
accordance with the time honored Dem
otra,ic principle Of the greatest good /
the greatest number, no matter who's
Property is taken in or excluded
But In spite OF all this tho Council
last night recedcd from as own impreg
nable position and concurred In tho crdt
nance us amended BY The Board OF AL
desmen. for the reason, tho public ar
Informed, that 1t was Impossible to ge
any annexation measure adopted unes
certain outlying factories in the norther
suburbs should be excluded.
], was a hold up, plain and simple, an
z. The Council threw w Its hands and sui
rendered.
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