Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-05-18
Local lntelligenee~.City Affairs, &c
F0R THE TINES.

RICHMOND-HER PROSPECTS, &c.
Messrs Editors The steady advance in all
the elements of wealth and prosp erity, making
by the city OF Richmond, must be apparent.
even to those who pay least attention to such
matters; but to us up-country people, who make
periodical visits to the metropolis of the State for
purposes of business or pleasure, the manifest
Improvement In the appearance OF the place for
the last zen years, as well as its accessions in
colnmerclai point of view, must seem truly VOL
derful.
Suppose we endeavor, for moment, to search
into and lay open, some of those benign inAuen-.
ces that have mainly contributed to produce this
vigorous growth and whilst we may not, in this
regard, deny to the James River Improvement
the credit that may be justly its due, vet on re-
Election will itnot occur TO all, that the first
strongly marked upward tendency in the affairs
of the city commenced about the time the Louisa
railroad began to stretch out its arms towards our
upper country, to bring down at moderate rates
the products of the soil, and return by safe and
speedy conveyance, the supplies off the merchants
as well as those fertilizers so mnch needed by
tie agricultural community
The improvement Of the country, with its in
crease of production, began to react for the
benefit of the city, and they were thus mutually
beneficial to each other. That work, which per-
haPs at first was only local in its views and cha
racter, has, by the prudentand judcious manage
ment OF those who have had charge OF It's inte-
rests, after struggling through untold difficulties
and discouragements, become the great central
line of the State, and it is pouring into Rich.
mond daily increasing stream of trade and travel.
The success Of this experiment, in opening into
the interior a great avenue for trade as we'll as
travel, was doubt mainly the cause of inducing
the projectors of the Danve road to undertake
the construction of that great artery through
section of rich and rrolIa eauntry III, rt,
most entirely cut off from the Richmond market,
and the rich returns already making to both town
and country from that work, prove the wisdom of
the investments made in it by the city.
But what the Central and other roads have con-
tfibuted already to swell the commercial impor-
tance OF this place, is rs nothing to what may be
| expected when the great lines of connection with
the West and Southwest are completed. Now,
in order that the Central road may be urged on
ard and no time be lost, If is very desirable
that the corporate authorities of Richmond should
suscribe S200,U00 to its capital stock, which, by
snabliBg the company to draw 100000 from
the State, will put them ia possession at once Of
hall million Of dollars, aud enatle them rigo-
| rousy to prosecute the extension of the road.
That Richmond will freely aud cheorful ress
pond to the call made upon her seems to be tho
general opinion, aud when il is known that she
has never before extended a helping tand to this
road which has done SO much to extend her
commerce and Increase the value Of her real es~
tate, none can, think, for moment doubt the
resut--the more especially the road having
regulur fund for the prosecution Of its construction
and equipment, will soon begin to declare reg
uiar and liberal dividends which may ultimately
tend rather to lessen hnn TO increase the burthens
OF the tax paying community.
Richmond possesses also great advantage In
the excellence of her Hotels--no small object
with the travelling community, who arovery fond
OF good quarters and good living. Many weary
travele from North South will be tempted to
stop day at Billiards. celebrated Exchange who
might not otherwise he willing to submit to an
hours delay. On looking around, many will be
| surprised, who hive examined before, to
| find themselves in the midst of large CONNER
| cial city, whose storehouses are almost palaces,
and whose merchants, though not princes, are bet
| ter, far-genttemem
Aud So Messrs, Editors, I conclude this prosy
essay, by stating my confident belief that by the
exercise of spirited and fearless lboraty in
sustaining her great lines Of Improvement, they
will in return cause her manifest destiny to be
| onwardto greatness, wealth aud prosperity
AN UP-COUNTRY MAN