Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-01-31
THE SHREWSBURY RIVER.

We have, on two previous occasions, noticed
movement now being made by the enterpri-
sing business men of Red Bank, Ocean Port,
Long Branch, and the neighborng towns for
improving the navigation Of the Shrewsbury
River. Owing to the lateness Of the hour at
which the subject has heretofore suggested
itself, we have been unable to give it anything
more than a passing notice. Feeling aninter-
est in the success of this enterprise which we
deem as pregnant with benefits to the county
generally, as anything ever yet suggested or
accomplished in the way of improving our
intercourse with the city of New York.
again devote a few moments to a further con-
sideration of its claims to public favor.
About a year ago, the citizens of that sec
ton of our county, aware Of the benefit to be
derived from free and uninterrupted commu-
nication with the city of New York. held a
meeting for the purpose of obtaining an expires
sion of public sentiment in relation to removing
sand-bars and other distractions, from this
river. The meeting, if we remember right, was
large one, and the expression decidedly fa-
vnrahle Typographical engineer was emf
ployed, whose report gave fattering eaeour-
: ase'neat to the enterprise. and Congress was
petitioned for. an appropriation.
This petition, failing to receive that prompt
attention which the necessities of the case
seemed to demand, the people, despairing
doubtless, of governmental aid have them
selves taken the matter in hand, and are now
going to work in earnest, to remove these
distractions, which have so long crippled the
trade, and retarded the prosperity Of these
towns, and the country for miles around.
This is laudable, and should receive the
hearty cooperation and liberal support of the
people in the sections before alluded to. We
trust that the gentlemen whose names we pub
lished last week, in connection with the pro-
ceedings Of the meeting held at Red Bank,
will not be left to struggle alone for the ac-
complishment of this object The farmers,
mechanics, merchants, and business men of all
ranks, are interested-and now that the move
ment has commenced, all of them should sup
port it ezergeticaHy #as9
Perhaps it is impossible to name an interest
in that region that is not uufavorably affected
by the distractions to the navigation of the
Shrewsbury river and its southern neighbor.
New York city is the great heart of the nation,
and the prosperity and development of any
town or section of country (unIess near some
other great centre of trade, are in proportion
to the hours and minutes it takes to get from
one to the other In order that the farmers
get their products into New York market in a
state to compete favorably with their compet-
itors along the railroad lines for thousands of
miles South and West, it is requisite that they
be not detained for two or three hours longer
than the time necessary to make trip. And
if agriculture be not well rewarded, the mer-
camille, mechanical and artistic interests, must
of necessity, languish; andif all these languish.
moral and religions enterprises will be alike
feeble Agriculture is the fulcrum. Then
we should judge that every person, mot in
Red Bank, Ocean Port, and Long Branch
alone, but in all the circnmjacent country,--is
interested in this movement; and we trust
when called upon by the gentlemen appointed
to raise subscriptions for procuring mud
digging machines, will contribute literally,
for we think the prosperity Of that section is
hanging measurably on the success. Of this en-
terprise. 2
A feeling akin to establishment, takes pos
session of our mind when we contemplate the
progressive changes that have taken place at
Red Bank, Ocean Port, Long Branch, Eaton
town, &c, within the few years that soe have
paid some attention to that section; but when
we glance at its resources, though only slightly
developed, consderingits Agricultural, Board
ing, Mercantile and Mechanical elements of
prosperity, and take into account its nearness
to New York, (soon to be the greatest com
mercial city in the world, being, in fact, if
the obstruction to the navigation as above re-
ferred to be removed, suburb of that great
city, = we have no hesitation in saying, and we
make no claim to prophetic foresight that that
region has at least as bright future before it.
as any in our wonderful country, not excepting
the most favored parts Of California, where
the exaggerations Of romance are outdonei by
the realities of EVERYDAY life