The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-09-26
ACTIVE STEPS
PRONUNCIATION.
.Hci1rico Citizens Hold d Rous- 3
ing Meeting in the East
End.
ADVANTAGES POINTED OUT.
Mir Meredith Addresses the AS.
sctnbly, Outlining Reasons
A for Annexation.

Annexation was the key note Of the
meeting Of citizens residing iii Henrico
county between ChImborazo Park and
lakewood and within Il radius of}two miles
east Of the city limits, held ut Thirty
fourth and p Streets last night.
Mr.. e. V. Meredith, who, In ali likeli-
hood Will DO counsel for the citizens OF
the territory who are clainoring for an
nexaton. addressed the meeting. He cited
the laws governing the question and gave
as his unqualified opinion that the resi-
dents of the territory named, wouidprovc
successfuIn their fight, boasts by citizens
living in other parts OF the country to
the contrary, notwithstanding. And in
cheering the citizens at the meeting, Mr..
Meredith did not neglect to pay glowing
tribute to Richmond and It's officials. He
declared that this city was In better
financial condition and more able to court
annexation Of CONTIGUOUS territory and to
offer greater Inducements than ever be-
fore "a
& The meeting was called TO order by
Chairman, ]. w. Gentry. During: theiread-
Ing fof;the minutes by Secretary Bradley,
Treasurer Meyers, with an assistaht, was
busy writing receipts for those who had
con trIbutcd to the fund to be used in
prosecuting the movement for anncxa-.
ton 1t is proposed to raise about 500
for fund with which to defray the ex-
penses of the league, and for the em-
ployment of an attorney.
After the minutes were read Chairman
Gentry announced that tho business OF
tho league would be suspended, while the
members heard from Mr.. C.a~. Meredith,
who was present.
4 At the Offset. Mr. Meredith explained
the law regarding annexation. Underline
rev Constitution, no special laws could
be enactce by the Legislature taking IN
any contiguous territory by a city. said
Mr. Meredith Then he gave those pres
ent an understanding of the general law
applicable to annexation. Parenthe tically
be mentioned the annexation ordinance
that had been passed by the
Richmond city Council. Every pre-
caution had been taken by the Richmond
authorities to avoid any technical question
that might arise. " *sss Il.
s'.There Is a spirit Of fairness in our
present city officials that IS great for
our city said the speaker. II would
advise that you meet the city halfway
in this question:. I believe that 1t VIII
be best for you to come In under the
general statute. The topography of
your territory will demand Improvement
Lee District has taught the city what
she di dnot know, before. It Is fally for
any city to wait for houses before inn
rovements- Richmond knows this now.
The city put a sewerIin%I,ee District and !.
the result has shown her the wisdom 5of
the move. The same thing will be
here s
Mr.. Meredith then explained about the
amount of taxes to be paid by the citi-
zens Of the annexed territory He de-
clared and quoted the law on the sub
ject, that for the next FIVE years after
annexation. there could not be any in
crease In the taxes. If the citizens want
ed an increase III taxation for the pur-&
nose OF having more improyemen they
could 90 to the Council and ask this.
and IL per cent. Of the assessment would
be spent In the annexed territory. ! h Us
Increased Value Of Property
He assured the citizens that City At.
torney Pollard would lend his assistance
towards helping the annexation. The
assessed value Of the landed property Of
Richmond he showed by figures, has in
creased sa.5O0,0O0 In the last ten years.
3Richmond's water and gas works We're
sufficient for5the benefit OF any annexed
territory. Without regard to her sink
ing fund, Richmond's assets were $12,-
ulo,o her debts. $4,000
n IT don't believe there was ever a time
iwhe many territory could come into the
city with better prospects, said the
speaker, "a
He paid accompaniment to Richmond's
Cha mber OF Commerce and the MEM
.bers Of the City Council He showed
what amount Richmond could borrow
on the dollar
y 5"And Il know of no city the size of
Richmond. that has bette rstreets than
she has, fJHt
L The speaker emphasized the fact that
there was no time In the history oflWir.
cinia 5wher the outlying territory gould
better profit TO seek TO come I'M, fss rs 4
Here the speaker took up the school
question. There was no heritage man
could leave his children greater than
good education, he declared. Tho city,
Mr., Meredith said, had erected a school
near the limits, and II nothing else was
gained by annexat ton, the school facili-
ties would more than justify the citizens
OF the annexed territory. He was round
" applauded when he mentioned the edu-
cational advantages TO DO derived from
annexa ton,
He showed how the citizens could,
strengthen the hands OF the city IN the
annexation movement W. %,, q
ST w flI1 not eulIlS w UOfasN, S'llu
not bet, as hear some on the other side
have declared they would. but think !
can hold out to you every prospect OF
success. The court is going to look at
the matter from the principle Of what Is
best for the State at large Therefore,
gentlemen, you may pay no attention 10
all Of this Boosting that you will be
beaten declared Mr. Meredith, and
again he quoted the law on the subject
and concluded by saying: "rhere Is no
wise and just Judge who would not con-
slider the matter favorably."8
"A member asked II Mr. Wendenburg,
as Commemorative Attorney, had
any right to interfere With tho matter.
Mr.. Meredith replied that It would be
Mr.. Wendcnburg's duty Many other
questions were asked by those present.
and the meeting resulted IN n movement
to circulate petitions that will be pre-
sented to the court showing that props.
erty owners and voters alike are In favor
,r,~,,k Inn, d . " . III .