Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-26
Why shockoe Creek RACES

| NDER existing constitutional limitations,
- the city government may be spending as
much money as reasonably it could be ex-
pected to spend 10 control the waters OF
Shockoe Creek and Bacons Quarter Branch.
While Council has not been overgenerous it
probably has contributed as large share of
the municipal revenues as other exigent de-
mands permitted to this work
One fault with the plan that has been fol-
lowed is that work began at the wrong end
Shockoe Creek and its principal tributary
were nusances OF an offensive sort but they
were also serious menaces to property and
life. Periodically they burst their bounds
rendered poor negroes homeless and dest-
tute and threatened the destruction OF build
ings between Marshall Street and the river
The city has chosen to abate the nuisance, at
least in part, before removing the menace
and once year at least the rising waters
remind Richmond that this choice was mis-
taken one.
Halt dozen years ago, City Engineer
Boiling earnestly recommended that work
begin nj the river end, with the construction
OF an outlet which would take care of the
hood water His plan was to build back
from the river Council then and the Adj
ministrative Board and Council later have
reversed that method. Most of the appro-
priations have been spent. and still are being
spent, on Bacons Quarter Branch. where
work Is needed. OF course, but far less vitality
than on Shockoe Greek itself
But the principal difficulty in completing
this ambitious project lies in the constitu-
tional prohibition OF benefit assessments for
public improvements. The whole city profits
ny the removal OF this nuisance and this
menace, but the principal profit. il is obvious.
Is TO abuttinG property owners. In nearly
every other city of the country. outside Nir-
elnia. these property owners would find them
serves assessed for the benefits they received.
measure OF fairness and justice that cannot
successfully he attacked on logical grounds
III Richmond the Constitution of Virginia
stands III the way. and every such improve
ment must he made from the common funds
- there always are. and always will be- more
improvements than can he paid for from cur
f'h revenues, the city turns to bond issues
- there Is limit 10 the money that can be
raised in his fash ion. both in the Constitu-
10" ana IN the ability OF community 10
incoi Interest and redemption charges. some
.'SNAn!e improvements are skimped or do
laycd while others are abandoned or in
definitely postponed. Those that are made
go, like kissing. by favor
Right now ii bonds were issued for the
improvements that various sections az tho
GUY q, mand most Of which are largely
hSc'eh and all o! which are proper Rich
Mond would approach bankruptcy If, how
ever. these bridges. and new streets and new
pavements could he pal for in part nv assess
ments on those they most benefit the financial
rroblem IN large part would he solved
The burden of the constitutional inhibition
VIII become more and moro grievous as Rich
mona asslmilates the now thinlv populated
territory II recently has annexed Demands
Tor betterments OF every sort will become
lncessant 1t will he impossible for the CITY
government 10 answer all. There will be no
real relief until Virginia strikes FROM, ber
constitution provision that hammers .nd
hahdicans every municipality within her bor
ders and that sets her apart. in an undosir
able isolation, from every other State in tho
Union.