Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-06-26
For ,h. GslIipslis journal.
N, Reaa.

On Roo4s.
Mr.... EprroRs: This article is especially
.ddr...sa to the citizens Of GsIlipolis En-
t.rtaiuiur the opinion that fhis town could
be permanently and almost inealrulably bens-
6tted bv the method hintrd at in tie caption,
I venture to offer my reflections, and the result
Of those rsasetions. iu this public manner to
-,u attention at least to the subject. We
L.v. hy.;ness men. many Of them, besides the
rest of the popnIation. all Of whom have an
abidins permane Mt interest in the value, the
growth ana uroeress of the town. and all are
5wsre that no place can be expected TO in
crease in importance unlesss # has external
advanfapes That however beautiful its stu
alton. however refined and intelligent its pop
nlet;on n must ex necessitate rel stand in
stain ono- or ,t most make but slow advance
ment II these things are wanting, as Is pre-
eiselv the case with us. To this rule there Is
no execution. Every town and city In the
West, and indeed in the whole world. testihes
to the truth, that there must exist either by
nature or BY art external advantages, IN order
/ 10 successful progress in internal wealth and
permanent prosperity. The best Illustration
of the cause and effect oil city Improvement,
or of the rule as cited above, perhaps within
knowledge
rival cities Of New York and Boston. The
latter projected her great railroad scheme BY
which she was aecessibly and connected to al
parts Of the country and began to make rapid
strides in commerce, wealth and improvement,
the former at once commenced on series OF
improvements which resulted at once In estao-
fishing her precedeney over the other, and as
the chief city in the United States.
And thus IL is everywhere. The CIncinna-
tians are aware Of the principle and are put
ting II into active and successful operation
A canal 10 Cleveland was the first assay, and
now her railroads CENTRE upon her from every
valuable part of the State. She nnu 10 Be,
emphaficalIy. the MEDIUM Of COMMERCE. the
great depot where the commercial world come
and go, and where commerce t0FTles.
But to descend from great things to small.
Mine. must confess, is an humber theme, be-
ing no more than an estimate Of the value 10
thi particular town. were The different state
J roads that diverge from II improved TO the
boundaries of the county.
And at the very beginning, venture to as
sert, that we're the State roads, as above named,
ttro,rrl up and grarelied, there would be added
TO the capital of this place the clear annual
profit of $4,000. Suppose we consult for a
moment the situation Of Ga lipolis. As far as
exports and imports by the riUer are concerned
. il is indeed good. Rut being hemmed IN on
every other side by hills upon hills, she Is cut
off during one half the year from, comparative
, lIy speaking, all communication with the inte-
rior country. Hence it is the multitude Of
little stores scattered everv where through The
country. For il is This upon which they most
" depend, the impassabiliiy Of the roads du
ring the greater portion Of the year. And
{ were the roads always in good condition these
fedgelings would soon be clipped as to theiI
wings and a perpetual round OF business iron
season 10 season, from month TO month, anf
from day tn day, with portions OF the country
2 to which at this time we are almost entire
strangers, woul1 be carried on. Our business
I operations then indeed would be extensive ane
constant and unremitting. Business houses
. would be built 10 supply so extensive a rang
: Of country as these roads embrace. Mechanle'
would be in demand, for the same purpose
J.. There would be a constant call for a create
! number Of laborers in every trade and calling
The town itself must necessarily increase II
!, numbers. Importance and the value OF It's pro
Z perty. Our hotel keepers would have TO nc
y eommodate numbers ri people who may hav
come from remote distance,
And thus in every point Of view 1t would b
= the greatest enterprise the citizens OF thl
town could possibly enter into.
;. And now as to the scheme ITSELF The road
to be improved should be
: st The river road towards Rutland Is mile:
: ID and 3d. The Wilkwille and Chill
licothe roads each 10
s 4th. The Portsmouth road, 10