The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-16
WOULD NOT VOTE
/ TO JOIN RICHMOND.
Declared That Reduction Of
Street Fund Will Kill Meas
ure in Manchester.
THOSE WHO FAVORED
HAVE CHANGED MINDS
Many of the Staunch Supporters
of Annexation Would Now
Oppose Union-Richmond
Leaders Optimistic.

ment Is yentured IN some quarters
that If the question were put to a vote
of the people at the present time there
would not be fifty ballots cast for
consolidation. People who have here
tofore favored the plan are now open
ly opposed to 1t. 1t Is reported. since
the announcement of the adoption OF
the amended ordinance by the Rich
mond Board OF Aldermen Tuesday
night. the amendment to the ord.-
nance cuts the percentage OF revenue
from Manchester guaranteed to be
expended In street improvement from
40 to 20 per cent. The provision
for paving sidewalks out of the street
iund is also eliminated and the ordi-
nance is made more explicit regard
ing the exemption of receipts from
the sale of gas from the list of reye-
nues on which the percentage OF i'm
provements for streets Is based.
Changed by Boara's Action.
Tuesday morning the citizens oil
Manchester were more or less excited
Those who once favored the plan as
serted that Richmond wanted to Cob
BILE up Manchester as Washington
Ward, losing the town its identity
without Offering any Inducements. The
ciause providing for the 40 per cent.
al the revenues to be expended on
the streets Is what most OF the resi-
dents wanted and was one of the
strong reasons advanced in favor of
consolidation. Now that this has been
reducved SO per cent practically all
OF the consoiidationists have assumed
an attitude of defiance.
Chairman l.. X. Brown, of the joint
committee OF the Manchester councils,
sx-fx ha "a al
the scheme, declared Wednesday that
he haseE gone over to the ether side,
He still hopes. however, that the
Richmond common council Will not
concur in the action of the upper
branch In amending the ordinance
xb Agymeu BestH- shrdiu
Nevertheless. the Mnnuhesterians
are more anxious now for an cleo
ton than ever. declaring that they win
defeat the plan by popular vote. Mr..
Brown declared that he would make
no attempt to defeat the measure in
the Council, but as Ii now stands he
would cast nis vote in the general
election against II.
During the forenoon Wednesday
many groups of citizens gathered to
discuss the question.
Mr. .. l. Palliam. a recognized
leader of the ANTS" smiled when
approached on the subject but de-
ciined TO make any statement.
The opposing forces claim victory
They say their ranks have been great
ly sweiled by recruits from the other
side.
Ii the Richmond Common Council
concurs in the action of the alder
men at the specially called meeting
Wednesday night, and the ordinance
receives the signature or Mayor Rich
ardson, 1t is predicted that the meas
ure will be defeated In a general cleo
ton should the Manchester Councils
su bmit i, to the people.
However. there are stu quite a
rumber of enthusiasts In Manchester
who do not believe that the measure
will be defeated.
Common Council to Concur.
No fears are entertained that the
amended ordinance will fail to receive
the Richmond Common Councils
stamp OF approval when that body
meets Wednesday night for the spe-
ciai purpose of considering the meas
ure The original ordinance passed
the Council by q vote OF 90 to 8. and
tnasmuch as the amended ordinance
is a considerable concession to Rich
monders. IL LIS believed the measure
will be finally carried by even a great
ar majority than at first.
At least, that Is the view of those
who are up on the situation. and 1t
would seem that they are not far
wrong.
when seen Wednesday morning
Chairman Pollard. of the joint con-
| solidation committee. expressed the
belief that the measure would carry
without trouble Wednesday night. He
Ia, kot Elna I'D st
dermen had succeeded in getting the
measure through, even in amended
form. and he hoped Manchester would
take the same view when the propo-
sition comes to a test across the river
Dabney h Optimistic.
Manager Dabney. of the Chamber OF
/ Commences. was equally optimistic
Wednesday morning.
1T looks like q sure thing that we
will have 10000 population before
| census time In April" he said.
Manager Dabney was confident thai
| the amended ordinance would pass
tho Council Wednesday night
II have no fears on that score" he
! remarked. Just after a talk over the
| phone with some consolidationist
Mayor Richardson was asked Wed
nesday IL he would care to forecast
his action In passing on the measure
after II leaves the Council.
| II had rather not commit myself. 7
| replied His Honor. but I might AR
that there are certain features of the
| ordinance that would like to iook
| into closely"
Mayor Richardson, however. is gen.
orally accredited with being favorabi,
| disposed TO the proposition.
Vote In the Board.
Following Ia the recorded vote oil
the Board Of Aldermen Tuesday
| night on--tlre amendment reducing
!, the percentage To be applied 10 ssrses,
/ IN Manchester:
Ayes---Mesxrs. Adams, Bennett
| Donahoe, Gilman. Grundy. thinner
man. Hebsen. Kahn, Nation, Moncure