Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-12-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.


MES OF the commonwealth The subject of improving the
natural facilities and physical condition of the State by
lines OF commercial intercourse will again he brought be-
fore the notice of that body. Public feeling will once
more be on the alert and popular expectation aroused
with terminated hopes not as trust to be- hereto
fore, disappointed.
Manifestations of the feelings and opinions of the c-
zenS throughout the commonwealth have been numcr-
and strong during the past season. longer TO suffer
DOUBT 10 remain on the mind of any one their wishes
on the subject of internal Improvement Public meetings
have been called in majority of the counties, where de-
hberatons have been had reports and memorials aoDod
or other proceedings entered into for the promotion of this
object Two conventions in which large portions of the
State were represented have been held during the past
season. one at Abingdon and the other ewbure for
tho express purpose of dcbcrang upon best means
OF improving the condition OF the State by constructing
hes oil commercial intercourse through the territory Of
the commonwealth
With these numerous and strong expressions the wish
cs oil the constituent body before tlem the LcrisIaire
viii scarcely fail, at their coming session. TO alopt some
energetic measures for the uherance those wishes and
opinions
Once satisfied that the improvement of the State bv n;
creased facilities Of ntcrconmunicaon is desired by the
great body OF our citizens, the question of erpedencv will
ne he only one before the Legislature. this question
no doubt think he entertained The mast and The
present alike adonish of the necessity and
energetic efforts directed TO the improv of the ma
'ua ana the construction oil new avenues Of internal nay
CATION.
Fields once smiling with abundance, now deserted and
oVcrgrowi mansion houses uncnanted 10 the
htude ofdecay large forests unrecamed almost i'm view of
her towns and cities the streams of her population that are
daily seen pouring from her borier all TO establish
the notifying truth at while all around us are rejoicing
In their accumulated prosperity Virginia is stationary or
retgograding Her tiIe-water towns and cites viii
every natural advantage to render them the successful RI
yais in commerce with any ports the Atlantic border
have undergone but little Improvement aud allied little
advancement i'll commercial importance for the last thirty
years.
The following facts will exhibit in no exaggerated point
ofview the deporablc condition of Virginia NAVIGATION
and commerce. In 1890 her navigation comprehenied
aggregate of 49, 500 in 1929 VIC find il returned
at 1852, showing the very inconsderabe increase of
eght thousand secen hundred and sixteen ton, in thirty
nine years.
The melancholy reflections awakened by these facts
can only be surpassed by those excited by view of
commerce during the same period. The exports from
Virginia in 1892 amounted in value to $3.50 i90 In
1929 they increased 10 3 1877 i3I only S237 932
more than they amounted to hrty-seue years before
This state of things only accounted for in the a
scnce of that internal commerce and domestic srpnIv
winch must ever form the basis OF profitable foreign
But while the commerce of Virginia has thus remained in
amcasurc stationary her consumption of foreign mporta
lions has been regularly increasing.
Assuming the federal numbers correct basis for the
rate OF consumption by her whole population virginia
consumed in 1929 no less than sic millions three hundred
and NY three thousand, nine hundred and ffy sir dol
lars OF foreign importaions with upwards of million of
dollars additional charges thereon in the shape of Govern
ncnt duties. OF this she imported only 1906 352
making her dependent northern importers for SIS O5S
oil her yearly consumption
With these drawbacks upon her monicd interests
and with her capital in lands and slaves rendered almost
unpoducuve by the absence OF that general prosperity
which alone impart TO them increased value tho tar
dy increase of the State i'm wealth and numbers scarcely
forms subject of surprise.
Ore way alone remains remedy the evils which have
been advered to, well the gloomy prospects
which ovcrshadow the future prospects of the common
wealth BY immediate and well directed efforts in The
application OF our remaining to opening lines of
commercial intercourse 70 domestic and FOREIGN troe ,
energies oithe State may we the reannated and her rea
ns RANK IA commerce, wealth and population be reganed
Mell-coaS:ructcd lines OF intercourse uniting
the waters Of the Chesapeake with the Ohio river would
conduct into the eastern portion Of the commonwealth the
eNhaustess and varied streams of products afford
Ing to towns and cities along The Bay the means Of
rich, diversified and extensive commerce. and eectuallv
restore TO our waters prosperous and increasing nayiga
tom Charleston OK. } Bdancr.