The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-21
OPPOSES BONDS
FOR CITY SCHOOLS
Business Manager Dabncy Calls
Proposed 100000 Issue
Over Enthusiasm
RICHMOND HAS KEPT FAITH
Southside Club Members Pleased
With Results oil Con-
solidation.

III were "a member OF the city
Council" said W. T. Dnbney. business
mtnagcr OF The Chambcr OF Commerce
and former Alderman. last mi.hi az tho
smoker of the Business Mcus Club oil
south Richmond anu Chesterfield -
would not vote for the proposed bonu
Issue Of S6oc.ooo for Improvement, IN
il'e city schools If i, were To cos, me
my sea, in that body"
Mr. Dabney, who had been invited to
speak at the meeting on III. subject IF
the Advantages OF a Business Organ
i@ation." took up the discussion OF TIL,
mernts OF the proposed bond Issue alu
taec 1t as an Illustration OF She meet
OF al. organization that coIid protect
the indistrial interests of a community
by ''stranSling just such ovcr-on,hu-
siasm as this" to propose measures TO
the representatives OF Il section or
ward In the Council or Legislature. ana
TO voice the sober sentiments OF the
principal taxpayers of that section.
Streets Need Help.
Where Is the wisdom" asked MIR
Dabney. lin saddling the city with an
other bond issue for better schools
when the streets are in such condition
in certain districts that the chlidre;.
cannot get 10 school? What right hav,.
we to burden the next genera ton wlt!.
a 100000 debt from which tncJ can
derive no bcnetlt-for the life ii a
school building Is about thirty I'VE
years-whcn the city has just made an
outlay of 100000 for the now John
Marshall High School?
WHY not let the City Council guar
antee the School Board so many thou
sand dollars per auuum out of the
reg u!ar revenues of the city. instead oil
Wunging in With this mad impetuosity
10 suddenly rebuild all the schools In
the city:
81 am as heartily in favor OF education
and the best education. as any one. but
can but think that the members n
the School Board are allowing thc4r
enthusiasm to run away with them,
when IL is recalled that the school sys-
tenn OF Richmond ranks seventeenth
in efficiency in the United states
Mr.. Dabney then proceeded To assam
the propositions OF the 100000 asked
for the purchase OF the Richmond Col
leEc grounds for park. and the S250.-
ooo wanted for the acquisition OF the
old Ford's Hotel property by the city.
lie denounced any such expenditures MS
foolish and wastcful. and chded with
an appeal to the business mons or
Eanization of the Southside 10 consult
their Council representatives on INC
subject
Mr. Dabney's ntterances we're re-
ceived with considerable enthusiasm by
members Of the club who were prescn.
Manchester Was Helped.
"Consolidation.H said judge e H.
Wells. OF the Hastings Court, Part =.
has made the Southside b4eeer in the
short time that has elapsed since an
nexation than old Manchester ever
was"
This was the sentiment OF this IN
huential organization when ii gathered
in Fraternity Hall, on Hull Street. 10
celebrate the first anniversary of tho
club. Out OF the roll OF los members a
goodly number was present 10 near :he
several Speakers or the evening ano
join in the fun of the smoker.
After the regular routine business
had been disposed of. D. l. Toncy, for
the second time elected president OF
the club, made an address. in which ne
gave resume OF the ORGANIZATIONS
history and accomplishments. In the
course of his remarks. MIR. Toney en-
Phatically stated that this organiza-
uon-whiie not formed for the pur-
nose-was responsible for the consoli-
dalton. and enumerated some good re-
suits of the annexation.
Sees t;rent City Ahead
Judge Wells followed with Il few re-
marks on the subject or the business
outlook OF the Southside. laying parti-
cuiar emphasis on the fact that the
groundwork of industrial outlook and
progress Is clean municipal govern
ment He commented on the fact that
the city OF Richmond has kept faith
Implicitly with tho old city Of Man
chester. and has accomplished to the
letter everything promised at the time
OF the consolidation. He then pro
ceeded to cnumerate the advantages
derived by the Southside from the an
neNation, and wound up with a pre-
diction Of a brilliant future for the
allied cities
Ben r. owen secretary 10 the Gov
ernor. was called upon TO tell the gath
ering anything that he chose. and he
proceeded to keep it in a state of hill
hrious laughter from the time he be-
gan to the end OF his speech.
The celebration ended with a social.
over which John +. Sampson secretary
and treasurer Of the club. presided.
rms meeting served to rckindie the in
tercst of all present. and steps were
taken on the spot for canvass for
new members and "A more perfect or
FhnlHion, which will look aft.: the
business interests OF the Southsido I'm
INC Council and Legislature