The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-10
IMPROVEMENT OF THE LOWER
JAMES RIVER,

We publ sh, to-day, the report made TO the
Council of this city, several months ago, by
the committee appointed fer that purpose. IL
is, TO us here in Richmond, and TO the State
generally, subject of vast importance; yet
we look in vain, for the evidence of that &C :
tiyiy in its behalf, to which its Importance
surely ought to stimulate our citizens. En-
gagged with vast variety Of other subjects, it is
almost certain that the Legislature has not
given this the consideration il deserves. They
have not studied it sufficiently, and to that we
attribute their comparative indifference. Ii
should be the part of our citizens, especially
Of our property holders, TO fix their attention
upon it, and to place il in the most favorable
light before them. 1t will be seen that the
committee of the House received the commit
tee hom the Council most fayorably, listened
with respect TO their representations, and gave
them all the encouragement in their power. 1t
appears TO us that these facts sufficiently ind-
cate the course that ought to be pursued
which we take to be simply this:
The citizens, or the Council, or whatsoever
have the regulation of the matter, ought to ap-
point several persons, well acquainted with
the subject, 10 press it upon the consideration
Of the House. Leave ought 10 be asked for
the city of Richmond to be heard, through q
committee, at the bar of the House, and in
the selec ton of that committee care should be
taken TO compose it of an equal number of
Wings and Democrats. Let il be seen that the
measure has nothing whatever of party cha
racter in it, but is one in which men of all
parties are equally interested. That such a
committee would be heard with Difference and
respect is unquestonabe. That it might be
the means OF securing what we so Justly ask
for, is highly probable. That it could be pro.
ductive of no harm, and might produce vast
deal of good, is absolutely certain. We have
among us men well qualified to discharge such
duty-men who have been accustomed to
public speaking, and therefore feel no embar-
rassment in appearing before an audience
men who have made this subject their study,
and can therefore be at 10 loss to present its
most favorable points-men who have the con-
hdence of their fellow citizens, and would
therefore receive their assent to all they nigh,
propose-men whose interests are bound up
with those of the city, and who could therefore
have in view no object but its prosperity
men who are known TO, and respected by, the
Legislature, and who would therefore carry
the due degree fweight along with them
1t is astonishing to US that the property
holders of the city have not been more active
in prosecuting this all-important object. So
much apathy as they have manifested, could
not we honestly believe, be found among any
body of men, under such circums tances, any
where else on this continent. 1t is high time
that they should begin to look their position in
the face. They are letting slip an oppor,uni-
~ which, in all probability, may not offer
again. They are giving to other cities start,
of which they will not fail to avail Themselves
10 their detrlment. They are riskng the lost
certain means of building up Richmond. which
is but another word for adding to the value of
their own property.