The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-07-16

FREE BalDex Acaoss III. JANIS RIvxI WHEN
traveller pacing through new country, spsrss'y
populated, strives q stream, he reo.ces st fading
bridge Of any kind which win enable him 70 cross
over. Hs Is willing TO pay reasonable toll, know
ins. that unless wsyfarers HE himself contribute
ineir mites to pay the bridge builder iol biz trouble
he must go unreqlised for his labor. Without :
ven founded hope of receiving some reward, no
snoge would ever have been built None but an
unreasonable churl would object to paying some
tning for the accommodation afforded. The tray.
eer would say to himself this il oil right, tut
doubtless when this region becomes popuIous and
rcn the people win build free bridges for the uss Of
al VINO desire to use them. What would the trsy.
eier say It, going over the same road half century
afterwards, when the W lderness had became :
rich and populous city; he should nd the Same old
toll bridge, and pike man setting at the receip,
OF custom y Would he not excIaim. these neonIa
are blind to their own interests and unjust to mine.
II they wish me to visit trade with them, why 20
they tax me both going and returnins9 II there
was NO other place where bridge could be built.
If they were too poor to build free bridge thsv
would stand excused, but as 1t is, conclude that
they are people wholly without enterprise. The
charge which the supposed traveller has made
Situated upon narrow river, the capital Of the
State. with extended commerce and population
of 80 000 she has not single free BRIDGE by which
her citizens can 60 into the country, or the people
OF the country, visit her. They must either ''pay
tribute to Ca sar," or swim. We venture to say,
that few instances of 90 much apathy and patient
endurance, can be found in the Union. Toll bridges
enough there are, man too many, IN various places,
but very few crushing crossing navigable stream
and connectinga city of this size with the opposite
saor
Let Us have a FREE BRIDGE across the James
River. The reasons why it should be built, are
sound and numerous and not one valid one can be
urged against it.
1t the frat place, the population of Richmond, in
the lower part of the city Is crowded, that rents
are enormous even for 7ery inferior dwellings.
The laboring population, tradesmen and others,
whose business confines them to the lower street,,
cannot go mile out upon the plain above Shockoe
Hill each day to see their families, if they obtain
dwellings b re Their residences must be conve.
nient to their business. B Aid free bridge to Man
chester, and they could obtain lots and build
their own houses, or rent from others, and live
more comfortably, and at a far cheaper rate. Hun
dreds, and perhaps thousands, would do their bust
ness in Richmond and reside in Manchester as thou.
sands do business In New York and return in the
evening to Brooklyn. Manchester is the Brooklyn
of Richmond. Open free means of intercommu
nieation and both will be benefited.
In the second place, such a bridge, if properly
constructed and lighted with gas would be in itself
fine promenade to our citizens, by night and by
day, and give thousands chance for a rural walk
or ride on the level grounds upon the Manchester
side of the river. 1t would, moreover, largely en-
hance the price of property at both termini Of the
bridge, and increase the trade of both places. 1t
would induce many from abroad to settle among
us; for with the temptation which cheap rents in
Manchester, and abundant employment In Rich
mond, would afford, many who now pitch their
tents elsewhere would share their efforts with Va in
building up this city, The money made here would
be mostly spent here for no antagonism would ex-
ist between the interests of the two places