The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-11
CITIZENS
HOLD MASS-MEETING
Property Owners Pass Resolutions Saying They
Favor Union of Cities, but Not on Such
Liberal Terms to Manchester.

possible TO see any result.
A citizen who did not give his name
spoke of the condition OF Cary Street
Road and of Park Avenue west OF the
Boulevard. Mr. Branch also indorsed
what had been said about the Cary
Street Road, saying that the section
to the Country Club, lying In Henrico
county for three miles, was hotter
than any street in Richmond" and that
not $50 had been expended since an
nexation on that part in the city.
Councilmen Gilbert Is. Pollock and
John j. Lynch represented the city gov
eminent, but took no part In the meet
ing. nor did they vote on the rcsolu-
ton. explaining that they were merely
present to gain information. Both ara
members OF the Street Committee, aud
after the meeting corrected Mr.. Bowc's
statements as to the millions spent
by saying that the bond issue OF 1907
for the annexed territory had been
only $4,000, and that II had been d.
vided equally between the East aud
West Ends. The bond issue of $780,
600 authorized last fall for sewers and
water mains, Mr.. Scott admitted. was
in the main still in the bank unexpcnd-
ed. contracts having been awarded for
a part OF the work
Text of RESOLUTIONS.
The caskic resolutions. as adopted,
follow:
Resolved. That we are not opposed
to the consolidation OF Manchester and
Richmond on just and equitable terms.
but we arc opposed to said consolida-
ton under tho terms of the proposed
ordinance because VIC consider II un-
Just and inequitablc to the city OF
| Richmond In tho following and other
| respects:
| First Forty per ccntum gross OF all
| incomes and revenues, which includes
taxes on property. licenses, fines. re-
celptB from water. cemetery. etc. re-
! ccived from persons and property in
Manchester shall be annually expended
upon street improvements In Afanches.
| ter for five years. and as much as %
per cent of the 40 per cent. can be OK
| pended on sidewalks or pavcments.
| whilst such improvements are charge
able to property owners in this city.
| I'm this connection we call attention
to the fact that the gross estimated re-
! cepts OF Manchester for 1903 were
/ $s4,156.oS; 80 per cent. of this amount
| is about S3S,jOo, to which is to be
| added interest on Manchestnr's debt of
| s25.S45. and the salaries to be paid
| Manchester officials of about $4,000.
\ Adding these figures together wo have
a total of $S7.S45, which, subtractcd
from s94,156.os. leaves a balance of
s6,3l1.9s TO be applied to schools.
! lights. poor and other necessary
| charges. This balance will DO further
reduced when we remember that the
| tax rate In Manchester is $3.50, whilst
/ In Richmond 1t is s1.4o.
! Second The Corporation Court of
Manchester Is to be retained which
/ includes the Judge, clerk. sergeant, as
sistant Commonwealth's attorney and
| janltor. We are at a loss to under
| stand why new ward possessing less
| population and taxable values than
any ward in Richmond. and ward,
the populous part OF which Is nearer
the present courts of Richmond than
| four OF Richmond's present wards.
| should be allowed to have separate
court.
"Third. A tax officer for Manchester
is also permanently retained. for
which there IS no necessity: also q
Police Court at $1,000 per annunl SAL
airy.
Fourth. An adequate system OF fire
protection shall be established and
maintained within the limits Of Man
chester. What this will cost no one
I seems to know.
4 "Fjfth. A modern and up-to-dat
bridge. either on the site OF the pres
ent AIayo's Bridge or in close proX-
unity thereto shall be built. The site
for the bridge shall be acquired and
the work Of actual construction shall
be begun at the earliest possible date.
not later than twelve months after
consultations, and pushed to compile
tion with reasonable dispatch This
puts Richmond in the position OF hay-
ing most probably to pay an eShorbi-
II tant nrice FOR a site. The funds for ad
q eauate fire protection. the new, bridge,
Il the maintaining Of the FREQ Bridge,
A sewers. believed to involve cost in ex-
cess OF 100000, gas plant, etc, VIII
have to be raised by bond issue tor
a large amount. say. at least 81 900.
4 "vrhe taxable real estate values OF
Manchester are s2.S62.s16. whilst thA
| present city debt is over s4s1.0oo.
1, which is about is per cent. Of said tax
able values. 1t will be impossible
i therefore to issue any bonds for above
I4improv ements on Manchester real es-
81 tate. ana they must be issued on Rich
mond taxable values, Manchester
Il basis for said bond issue. Richmond
prior to 1906 contained 3,5a3 acres
Of land. IN that year as6p
acres were added, thus doing await
With the congestive condition Of the
,, city. There is now plenty OF land to
answer all tho requirements OF us CIT
). liens. Tho present condition of tho
annexed territory as to streets, sewers.
etc. Is such that Richmond needs all
it, funds for It's own people. which
!. should not be diverted. especially as
|: Nc now have about sixty miles Of
/: streets in present limits Of the city Of
!; Richmond which badly need attention.
"Resolyed, further. TIE Council OF
!, the city Of Richmond be REQUESTED to
amend said consolidation orulnanca so
! ferred to, and that IT submit such orr
I dinance as 1t may pass to the qualified
> Voters OF Richmond forathelr adoption
], orrejection, especially as they are NOT
! adequately informed as to The terms