The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-09
BLOCK THE MINORITY.

BLOCH THE RiNOti1A'
Kicks against any proposed change knocks
for any man who makes suggestions for
Improvement distractions In the way Of
advancement are all more numerous. more easily
obtained more readily forthcoming than con
strlctive criticism, unbiased suggestions, praise.
A movement designed for the betterment Of
of community. whether good or bad, meets
with opposition more quickly than it receives
praise The opponents are usually more out
spoken and more active than are its advocates,
except for a few enthusiasts. There are more
70 make rough the road to accomplishment than
ghere are workers to smooth the route.
When. therefore q proposal to these ends
commands almost unanimous support from the
Start when enthusiasm increases with Difficult
ties and impatience for action with delay, when
the advocates grow more numerous and put
themselves more In evidence as time goes on,
tile proposal may be said to have the earnest
backing Il the vast majority OF those interested.
So las II been with annexation. With the
exception of a few whose interests we're ad-
yersely affected or who believed their interests
10 be adversely affected, there has been prac-
differences as to the amount OF territory to be
eAaexea ard az 4eeattef ri the eerfo'
rate lines but to the proposal itself there has
been little objection. With the compromising
ct these differences and the settlement of the
tines OF the proposed city limits the sentiment
IN favor Of a definite plan Of annexation became
almost overwhelming. Today annexation Ia the
ell but unanimous wish of the people of Rich
r1ond and the plan as adopted by the common
council is satisfactory to most and acceptable
practically to all Business organization after
business organization has endorsed IT. 1ndi'
yfdual altar individual has favored II. objec-
tibns have gradually diminished, comparative
~ few as they were In the beginning. The
INSTRUCTORS have decreased In number from the
Nxrlier corporals guard until they are now al
most to be counted upon ones fingers
There has appeared popular uprising In
Givor Of the plan adopted by lower branch OF
Tie council for the reason that the people have
xFusted to the upper branch TO concur and have
vested content with the prospects Of necessary
rhanges that arc TO be made by the courts
The people have not let their wishes be known
an an emphatic manner because they have been
t6nfident that these wishes already known
md would be respected. They have pronounced
Or annexation in general terms and have rested
E6ntent to allow the council TO fix the specific
FIRMS They have, not been clamorous because
hey have not deemed clamor necessary to the at
fA4nment Of their ends.
TOn the other hand where are the directors?
Annexation has been a certainty almost from
the beginning II there were any considerable
pumber OF people who seriously objected they
would have lat their objections be known in no
uncertain terms. There have been organizations
10 declare In favor Of annexation and in favor
of the terms proposed by the annexation COM
mittee and accepted by the common council.
Where are the organizations who have pro-
tested The Business Mems club the chamber
OF commerce. the r. p. A.. the Retail Merchants
association and many others have earnestly
urged the council TO act but far as The Ftr,
o5n3an Is aware not a single organization of any
kind business, educational, social, has adopted
resolutions in opposition. The city engineer has
and does favor the plan under consideration.
Where is the engineer employed by the OBJ
sectors? The annexation committee agreed upon
plan and submitted 1t to the common council
Who Is the councilman who did not vote to
accept the plan2 The ordinance thus adopted
went to the board Of aldermen composed Of
fourteen members. with eleven present five
voted against II and concurrence was defeated
Five men, Five honorable men, Five able
men
Nevertheless five men IN the council against
twentyeight, fve men against all the business
organizations Of the city, five men against the
majority Of the people Of the city ruled supreme
sn this instance Thursday night
Six men Tuesday night can accomplish the
work Of these FIVE Two more trusting to their
own judgments against thar Of the city. its busi-
ness men its engineer and its common council,
i can defeat annexation.
II viii take but one more such man to defeat
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