Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-01-13

motive OF the petitioners as thor
oughly creditable and praiseworthy
II we thought it possible to open
the cemeteries in the way indicated
in the petition without serious in
convenience and probable peril 20
the health of the community We
would gladly favor some modifica-
ton OF the existing law. In view OF
all the circumstances. however. we
are reluctantly compelled TO decline
90 recommend TO the Council the re-
peal or any modification OF the or
dinance as It now stands. The
reasons which influence us in this
action are as follows:
First. All the testimony avail
able goes to snow that already too
many are buried in these grounds.
10 seems 20 be unQucstioned that
again and again two or three bodies
are in the same grave. It is esti-
mated that between 10000 and SO,
600 are inferred within the limits
of these grounds.
Second. The admitted and long
cGQtinuej mismanagement of the
cemeteries makes it impracticable
20 determine with any degree OF
certainty just what, if any. portions
of the cemeteries are free of graves.
There are no available records OF
burial no plats or maps; and we
must rely almost wholly upon the
testimony of sections and grave dig
gers. which has been found in the
past efforts of the town of Barton
Heights TO regulate the burial who'll
| ly unsatisfactory and untrustworthy.
Third. Even If we could identify
| beyond question any portion Of these
grounds which has not been alread-
used for sepulchres and could o.
pen such portion. this would afford
very limited, partial and Temporal
~ relief, for the territory thus I'M
occupied must be extremely limited
and we would soon be confronted
with the necessity of taking action
similar TO that already taken.
1--WE recognize the excellent
work which the Section Holders AS
sociation. whose petition we have
been considering has taken for the
improvement and protection OF the
/ ccmetary grounds and deeply regret
to us TO respond favorably TO their
/ request"
Those resolutions read well on
paper. but it is a fact that Shockoe
Hill Cemetary, which is almost with
in a stones throw of these colored
/ cemetaries and certainly does not
contain as many acres is a white
/ cometary in the centre OF the color
Cd population and has been used
continuously for burial purpose for
upwards Of seventy-flve years or
more and It is being used now. FOR
funeral professions pass TO it regu-
B larry. We are Of the opinion thar
over one hundred thousand white
people are buried there.
10 man has as yet been able 90
compute the capacity OF a grave
yar5. Il never fills. White folks
who own cemeteries know this. The
q secret will be disclosed judgment
day we presume. The colored Gem
etary has not been well kept. but
. IL is not a nuisance. There are In
orr Judgment deep-seated reasons
+ for the action OF these citizens OF
/ Barton Heights and we do not be
Iieve that they have been all stated
We think It is about time TO stop
crlnging TO these people OF this lit
tie town. II Is best TO accept the
inevitable and give up the effort II
would be TO throw time and money
away to 30 to the legislature. II there
z Is no remedy IN the Courts. the end
. Is in sight. There are some people
In Barton Heights ana in this city,
Who we believe could bring about
a change in the condition OF things
! with reference to these colored Gem
etaries and It will take something
more than persuasion and Richmond
city influence to do II.
II we are not able to bring to
bear the necessary machinery 10 &C
complish the result, we had better
/ quit and go way back and rest our
selves. Selah.