The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-05
SATURDAY. JANUARY 5, 1907.
The Power of Public Sentiment.

i
The defeat of the measure to set UP
saughter-housc in the heart of Rich
mond is a high tribute to the power oil
public sentiment, and shows what the
citizens OF this city can do when they
set their heads and heart to 1t and work
together for n common object When
this measure was first brought before tho
committee the members were unanimous
ly in favor of it. AT the meeting Thurs
day night much the same arguments
were presented pro and con, but when
tho test finally came, six members voted
AGAINST favorable report TO four in the
affirmative. The majority We're Messrs
, Cary, Dabney, Elicit Grundy, 1.arus and
Umlauf, and they are to be commended
for the position they took. No matter
what their personal views may have
been. they felt that they had no moral
right to recommend the erection of such
a plant y, the face of an Overwhelming
sentiment against it.
If citizens generally would take the
same interest in all affairs of city gov
lornment and thoroughly investigate every
Important measure brought before the
Council, then let their views be known,
there would be marked Improvement in
our municipal affairs. This we say in
no disrespect and in no spirit Of critl-
cisn of the Council itself. But members
of the Council are not possessed of all
wisdom, and they are as liable as others
to make mistakes They would do better
and there would be Improvement all
round If the intelligence and patriotism
of the city We're brought to bear in the
consideration of all measures of impor-
lance which come before the Council
There is a wholesome lesson in the vic
tory which the citizens of Richmond have
scored, and it should not be forgotten.
Before discussing the subject, it is we'll
to inform the outside public that the pro
test against the abattolr came from the
Chamber of Commerce, the Civic I'M
provement League, and all the banks,
with single exception, and personally
from large Numbers of the most progress
sve and philosophical citizens of the
city. It is impossible that these represen-
tative men should stand as a unit against
any measure which, in their judgment
would promote the progress and pros.
perity of RichmIpa. Their protest was
the expressior.- of."an Honest conviction
that such an enterprise in the heart Of
the city, so far from promoting, would
deter progress and be menace to large
property interests, already in existence
They were convinced that the abattoil
would do far more harm than good
that there was at least a strong proba,
bilty that 1T would, from time to tine
create nuisance, and that. once estab
lished, there would be great difficult!
in abatng it They We're not willing t'
take the risk, They made their wishes
known TO the committee, and the com
mittee yielded That is the whole story
The meaning of 1t is that pubic senti
ment in Richmond will tolerate no enter
prise that is menace to established in
terests. There is no greater inducemen
to settlers and investors than the guar
antee that in this city they win be secur
In all their personal and property rights
and the assurance that our rule OF cor
duct is the greatest good 10 the create.
number.