Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-09-27
VOL. Xxx. NO, "a
Friday, Sept 81.

LrIt must be apparent TO every ore who
is at all familiar with the past and presen nj
history of Newport, that something must scon
be done, in business point of view for the
sustenance of the place, or else our condition
will ere long be lamentable one. For sew
eral years past, the resources which were
formerly relied on by our citizens have been
gradually vanishing, and one by one, the dit
lerent species of business by which any revel
ue was derived, have dwindled dow n uni
now only the Factories are ft,--.if we ex =
cept the Summer business. We agree that [
is difficult matter to point out any particular
branch of operation. which can be confidently
relied on as emnently advantageous loI New
port and we never can come to any definite
c0ncus ion unless we make a beginning
From examples all around US, where the
prospects were even far more discourag glng
than here, we know that where Rail Roads
have been built, they have opened avenues TO
success and prosperous business enterprises
which were not previously dreamed Of, or ev-
en- considered feasible in remote degree
But by them business has been brought TO
places, where they run through or terminated,
and an enthusiasm and energy has been Great
ed which never before existed. Flourshlng
places have been built up rapidly, in the woods
rs it were, and in other Instances the charac-
ter of people has been rcvoulioniled
We are anxious 10 see Rail Road built
from this place to Fal River and although
several unsuccessful attempts have been made
to accomplish this desirable result, still, we
arc not without hope that more energetic
and prosperous effort will yet be made, and
that too, at no very distant day. 1t has been
asccrtained, from the most authentic and roll-
able sources, that this road can be constructed
at a comparatively cheap rate, because there
would be but little expensive grading, and that
is always one of the heaviest items in build
ing these roads.
If Newport people take ho'd Of this matter
ia earnest, with fixed determination that it
'shaH be accomplished, they will not stand
alone capitalists in other places will take an
interest in it, and will lend their aid Sup
pose every man who owns real estate in New
port should take one or two shares, even if
some of them had to mortgage their estates
to raise the moncy,-would 1t not cleaily be
TO their advantage to do so They could un.
doubtedy dispose of their stock very soon ai-
ter the road WAS built, if they desired to, par
ticularly if it was good property,-aEd there
y :an be no reasonable doubt but that such
would bo the case. If this plan should be
adortcd, il is certain that the ncct ssary
amount of stock could very soon and easily be
subscribed, and in little more than year, the
stiffness of the Northern part of this town
would be broken by the shrlll whistle of the
engine and the cla,ter Of the Cars. The De-
pot would probably be on the Point, and this
would soon double the value of real estate in
that vicinity.
The New York steamers would make this
their terminus in The winter, vessels bound
10 Boston and the cast, with valuable cargoes,
would enter here, and in many instances trans
nit their ireights over the road, rather than
run the risk Of disasters on such rock-bound
and dangerous coast as that TO the eastward
of us, when they can always enter this harbor
with perfect safety. Boston merchants who
arc importing large cargoes for immediate
sale, would be induced to order their ships
here, and even unload and store their cargoes,
because rents and storage would be much less,
and the risks from fire, and the rates of IN
surance greatly reduced.
These are but some Of the considerations
in favor of Rail Road. There are many
others which We may name hereafter if ther,
is the slightes, probability Of arousng an in
lrrest In the matter. We are anxious {,
have our people awake and make Newpor
what 1t ought to be, a prominent commercial
und mercantile place. Nature has done cv
eryihiug or us, and it OF ly remains for us {,
do very little for ourselves. Shall it b
done We wal. for a response. We al,
ready a. j mo re than ready to do all that is il
our power for tho accompl shment of an oh
icct that is to aid so materially in building u
aud permanently establishing the bushes
character of Newport. Let every man mani
fest the same spirit, aud devote his energie
To the same cause, aud the work is done.