The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-26

people Of Henrico cannot reconcile
with the principles OF equity the poll
cies of annexation which will increa Sc
their tax rate and place on n part OF
their citizens burdens which all should
carry, and which VIII cause financial
ruin 10 stare Henrico County in the
face If the lines of annexation are
made as broad as they are now drawn
In the proposed ordinances: and
Whereas, the people OF Henrico de-
sire to remind the citizens OF Rich
mond, in addition 10 the above that
they have in the county and subject to
the present low rate of taxes some OF
the greatest industries upon which the
business of Richmond is built, and
these industries were located on their
present sites because land was cheap
and taxes low, and by annexation these
industries will lose all the advantages
they now have, and In return will gain
nothing. and have already given warn
ing that the imposition of city taxes
on these plants and manufactures
may result in their removal, which
Will entail loss OF revenue both to the
city OF Richmond and the County OF
Henrico; and,
Whereas. the citizens of Henrico,
without being officious, desire to call TO
the attention of the people of Rich
mond the heavy burden they assume
In proposing TO take this territory
from the county and add it TO the pres
ent city, OF which policy the city Of
Richmond has already had an abund-
ant illustration in that section OF the
present limits of Richmond which was
annexed in 1907. large portions of
which are as yet without the con-
veniences for which the property own
ers hoped when they We're annexed and
which the city has not been able to
II oil -
SO IL has assumed a heavy burden OF
expense for sewers streets and road
ways. and that judging from the terri
tory already annexed as is yet i'm
proved, it is evident that other addi-
tions to the city OF Richmond in the
way OF annexation OF territory will
mean heavier taxes. a larger debt and
the neglect OF improvements for which
the present residents OF Richmond are
clamoring and are justly entitled, and
feeling that the interest OF the citi-
zens of Henrico in--the. subject does
not warp their judgment when they
express the belief that other annexa-
ton will be a financial calamity to the
city OF Richmond; and
Whereas tho citizens OF IIenrico
believing that the people of Rich
mond, loving justice and fair dealing,
Will not lend their approval TO n policy
which, in the opinion of all who seri-
ously consider 1t, is prompted in a
large measure by real estate specula-
lions and the fanciful imagination of
certain citizens holding opinion that
wide area and n large population in
the census enumeration is all that is
necessary to a great city. and believing
that these persons have. in their, zeal,
overlooked the real welfare of the city
and the county, they. the citizens of
Henrico, desire to enter their protests
against annexation on such extensive
lines set forth in the proposed or
dinance;
There fore, be ii resolved. That the
citizens of Henrico hereby express 10
,, the people OF Richmond their belief
that the proposed ordinance will not
be of real advantage to the city Of
Richmond and will mean most serious
loss and injury to the County of Hen
rico, and the City Council requested,
before acting on the proposed ordi-
nance of annexation, to most seriously
and carefully study what 1t means in
all respects, both to the city and the
county, and Will not pass the ordinance
as at present drawn, and
DO it further resolved, That the
chairman OF this meeting appoint n
TO the Council of the city OF Richmond
before or at the meeting when tho said
ordinance is TO be considered and that
said committee to cause Il copy Of
these resolutions to be published in one
or more of the newspapers in the city
Of Richmond"