Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-09-15


Orange and Alexandra Railroad
including branch to Warren
ton, 10 miles, 100 10
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po-
tomae Railroad rs rs
Greensville and Roanoke Railroad 81 II
North Western Railroad 100
Miles 49, ss5
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal 1875 1875
James River and Kanawha Canal 2oo
Dismal Swamp Canal 10
Fred's Valley Plank Road 40
Stanton to James River AZ
Boydlon 10 Pete sburg 70
Juaction Valley TO
It thus appears that there are competed in Vir-
GINA SOS miles OF Railroad and 4l5 miles OF Canals,
and that there are now IN course OF construction Syo
miles OF Railroad and 220 miles OF Plank Roads. We
have then, the gratifying result that there nearly
1000 miles of railroads and canals constructed, or in
prog OF construction. in our State The approprla-
tons for these works already made, and the money
has been almost entirely raised at home without the me-
ve-sy OF mourning foreign debt The State OF Penn-
syl!anis, 10 make her improvements, have incurred
debt OF $40 900 600, TO pay the interest on which
requires semi annual export OF over million OF dol
lars be paid the oeign bondholders On the other
hand State debt comparatively small, and owned
ctlehy at home by citizens.
But this view becomes still more encouraging when
rscollect that these improvements Will be finished at
iarthest within The next tour years As each mile IS
finished increase will be given TO the trade OF our
ciies and when the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad,
the Richmond and Danvle Railroad, and the Seaboard
and Roanoke Railroad hnighed they will be at
once connected with net work OF railroads through
North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia on the
ore hand and Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana the other. 1t is certainly
OF pride know that have quietly etftc ted
so much. Speculation would be at fault in estimating
The trade that must follow the completion OF these
works. The rapid increase OF our cities will be one
certain effect while the appreciation OF rea estate, and
the profits OF every Industrial pursuit, will be increased
At the same time the heart of the patriot will rejoice
tina. this acquisition OF strength wealth, population and
power must result in restoring the South 10 hr former
pusiuon IN the Union, and may render that Union, as
bequeathed US by our oreathefs, more stable and hrm
its obligations every where observed and every where
sustained and beloved for the benefits conferred upon its
cltZs us
Georoia has now 900 miles OF raIroad-South Ca
rona is extending her iron arms in every direction and
in two or three years every part OF the State VIII be
provided with railroad facilities. Norh Carolina has
giant sche foot which she IS prosecuting with
giants strength. Tennessee will sooh extend e
Virginia Railroad, and the Railroad extending from
Charleston and Savannah 10 Chattanooga to Memphis.
on The Mississippi. Alabama, Mississippi and Lousia-
ma are seeking connections with these roads, aud
we shall see the South more highly improved by rail-
road iacies than the Morrill, owing 10 the level nature
of the country and the cheapness of labor aud materials
in the South. Charleston alone is moving with Tar
seeing sagacy for this increased trade. We ee pride
and pleasure IN her means, end we heartily hope she
may prosper her former ente PRISE TO establish direct
trade by means of shLs and steamers owned by South
erners. We believe there is space enough, and back
country sufficiently ample, If we true 10 ourselves,
to secure the prosperity of all Southern towns, and
their prosperityso lar from causing us to tall, Will but
add TO cut own prosperity. But how the people OF
Virginia hope contend with Charleston in generous
competition for this trade unless equa facilities pro-
vi ed 10 our harbos for shipping directly TO E1rope?
Ii pause in the contest the trade will have been fixed
in the direction of Charleston, and we may strive in
vain 10 regain what is strictly our own.
To illustrate the advantages TO be anticipated we
may refer to the enlightened and nterprsing Com
monwealth of Massa chuseits. The large expenditures
for the construction OF railroads. and the results
OF that system, has there indicated the wisdom which
dictated it.
In thar State the length of railroads in 1910 was 433
miles-itis now 1893 The value OF property in the
several counties of the State has increased from
1929 S7S 329 in 1910. $500, SSl in l950an 10
crease 10 the value of property during ten years OF $780,
IS 562 or about 100 per cent
In Boston, which is the centre OF the whole system
Massachusetts railroads, the following result is CD
tanned
Population Wealth;
ls40 III 1872 Sl2O 1914
Showing an increase OF 60 per cen. in population.
and 40 ia wealth.
Looking at the commercial returns from
ports the seapors OF Virginia do not appear TO have
increased with that rapidly which the general prosper
ily OF the State would indicate indeed, our direct I'M
ports appear 10 have diminished These unavorabe
indications however coniradicled by the positive
gain OF population, by the gain IN The assessed value OF
rei estate, ana by the Increased value OF slecs OF
taxation within the State. The stagnaton OF our COM
merce is to be attributed TO physical obstacles which
separate the productive interior from our seaboaId,
whilst the enterprise OF other States and cities has
tusliy constructed Improvements tor The iaco-
oil proQUce, WnlCn we would not undertake Tor
the positive increase OF the fee simple value OF the pro-
merry, aud the exclusive commerce OF lis enhanced
products
Ii Is thus that towns in Western Virginia have sprung
up manufactures have been estabishe minera have
been made avail able, agricultural produce has been
created all OF which seeks market in the cities OF Gin
cinuai, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Baltimore,
VIII lst even Savannah, IN Georgia has participated in
those reductions o. Virginia, which could not have paid
the os OF expectation eastward The Chesapeake c
ties OF Virginia. The cities enumerated have supplied
.ba Valley and WA>fern Nrpluia with in
exchange tor its productions. Tie commerce OF Virgil
MIA, like some fountains choaed up neglected,
cheers with It's scattered stleamle every region except
that 10 which tree and ertllzng current would
tura.y and gladly have directed Itself.
We cannot make this valuable. though dispersed
trade the subject exact estimate. II is reflected in
the increased population and taxable resources OF the
State lately the SUN set Of elaborate exposition in
the con utut olal convention.
We select, however, for illustration OF its value,
and he oil cb-tacies heh mpeded its expectation, the
trade on the Tiyet Monongaiia This river mas been
improved by Lock aad darn 81 that steamers
cend probably within the limits OF Virginia. Its trade
" i! compare iayoEaby with that Of macy rivers in
Eastern Virginia; ct the natural lineol exploration
of its products IS bY the Ohio and Mississippi rivers
t5e Gull OF Mexico, and The coast Of The Atlantic 70
the markets OF Inc Eas, TO Europe. The aggregate
line at waller transportation ircnl CarSsburg in Har-
Tson county, 10 New OK, not less han 4OO0 miles
the time employed. g not less han ninety DAYS vet
the direct line ol transit to he Chesapeake, would not
exec ed 400 miles. whist the ume IN reaching market
Inghi be reduced TO tew days Baltimore il proyi
diuz means ot direct trans 10 accommodate this re-
glea 0, country, much 81 watch has here oiore traded
wah PnlnGe 9hia; oni aer Baltimore shall have load
g Ter vessels with this product o Virginia, and cup
sieo, 2 return, the merchandise Tor is consumption
he Nil Dc compelled % send i within ths terfllo
OF Virginia Tor exploration the outlet Of the Chesa-
peake.
i similar difference betweea lie natural and arilh-
cia communication Of that part OF Western Virginia
bGEden0g on tn ObO River and OF The valley al the
Kauawh7 with the Atlantic cues will be found 10 *.