The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-04-04
WHAT MANCHESTER DECIDES.


of that city Will have decided the most
important single question ever pre-
scented to them, and Will have deter
mined by their ballots the measure of
their prosperity for generation. If
the question is decided Alright, Man
chester's future is assured The South
side city, linked to Richmond, will he
come part of one of the greatest bus
iness communities in Ire South. If the |
question is decided otherwise Man
fchester voters need never hope to en-
SJoy the full reward of their industry.
iovershadowed by Richmond and dwarf
red by comparison, the city viii re-
main in the second rank of Virginia
cities without an assured future or
an enviable present.
In voting for consolidation to-day
the men of Manchester have simply to
show their appreciation of business
proposition. They have everything to
gain and nothing to lose. They have
an ordinance which safeguards their
every interest and guarantees their
every municipal asseg. Their taxes
care fixed; their improvements are as
sured; nothing is omitted that should
be stipulated for their welfare Only a
narrow craftsmanship which misinter-
prets the plain provisions of the agree
ment between the cities can see in the
consolidation ordinance a single men
ace to the best interests of all the
citizens of Manchester. or single dam
ger to their individual welfare.
In voting for. consolidation to-day the
Manchester men have also to show
the people of this state whether or
not they stand for progress. BY their
ballots this morning they must put
themselves on record as looking for
ward to a greater field of municipal
prosperity or else as leaving the high
way of progress.
1t is this consideration which as
sures the result across the river to-
day. The business men of Manchester
are men of progress. They know what
union with Richmond will do for their
city, and they know that the call for
consolidation is a call to a higher civic
life, more exalted position among the
cities of the Commonwealth and a
place among those whose hope is in
the future. The Manchester voters will
show how they value their business and
their homes, the education OF their
.cnildren and the future of their COM
munity.
In voting for consolidation to-day
and in putting themselves before the
people as true 'srjend.1of progress, the
solia BUSINESS men nf Manchester Will |
have an opportunity of putting the
stamp of their lasting disapproval on
Those who have fought consolidation
from narrow and partisan motives.
bThe voters will show by their majority
for consolidation the heat of their In
,dignatlon towards the handful of men
who held back the progress of their
city for the sake of petty office or
feeble honors. The voters of Manches-
ter will, as true men, respect the SEN
ltiInent of those misguided men who
honestly believe consolidation is cor
itrary - the best interest OF sheir city,
hut they Will not heed cor o moment
the carping of those who place self
above city and sacrifice For trite per-
sonal considerations the ae&t Interests
tsof their town
The call to-day is Tor Manchester's
best, and tina. best will hn forthco1aihss
A aLoWt TO 9UR cNARYiY W0hN,
State chasiSy work deceived q hlow
!, tn size house of Its friends when the
state Board of Charity and Correction
decided F'siday to reduce the salary Of
the Assistant Secretary TO $50 tic
month The Board had no alternative
in taking this action The Assembly
imposed new duties on DR.. Mastin and
his force 1t gave them much moro
work TO do, and required of them q
great deal of travelling, which will
materially reduce the available funds
of the Department Since no other ox-
pense could be reduced, the Board wai
wv utlWll!lAElN NpI4lP'Al'h ~ I4It'Nt AIAS
Assistant Secretary suffer
There is nothing TO do but 10 regre'
Sthe necessity that compelled this step
and TO regret that the work of this
nplerdid department OF the state
government must be crippled for twc
years at q time when 1t was mos
fourishing, A competent and wellpait
assistant TO the Secretary would hav'
been of the utmost service in placiH:
our whole charitable work on a SCUM,
footing. but as no good assistant ca,
be secured al 5000 many plans mus
he deferred and much important re
search must be postponed,
The last Assembly showed a com
mendable spirit in appointing expert
for technical work, ITS member
enacted a number Of laws whin
created important otlces, and dit
not fan 10 stipulate, In singl
instance. where specia! work was re
= f5nuired. A hst an epuart ehniYId ba en-