Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-30
Cheap Houses.

Richmond, crowded almost to suff5cation, dtman6s
more hcuse-room. Lack of material and of labor the
high cost Ct both, and the impOssbity of obtaining
window gasa have hitherto prevented capitalists from in
yes ing their funds in tenCmenis which, in times Cf
peace, afford such tempting returns for outlay COM
paratively traing The building Of permanent resi-
dences even for private individuals will not be resumed
While the war lasts Even the contractors auctoneers
baI-room men and others hesitate to exhibit their fat
profits before the public eye in the shape Of costly dwell
liugs The people must be content to live double until
peace dswns again in the land.
But we need not be packed like behring's, We now
are Timber and bricks in moderate quantities mortar
lime laths nails may all be had for very
able rates. Aud for the great obstacle heretofore
to house buding-WindoW gIass-hat has been, or
soon will be- obviated by the glass works which COM
meneed operations at Rockets few weeks ago. Moth
ing is needed now but the of the capitalist to al
leviAte the pressure on house sfac and to make
happier and better people; for it is law Of human
nature, oog recognized that dense population breeds
vice. The t-Iement houses Of London and New York
give amsntAbe proof of the inAsxble operation of this
Law.
What we want is not permanent residences but com
Portable temporary houses, at a moderate rent The
hospital wards at Chmborazo, Winder, jackson and
Howards Grove may bs taken the type Of the houses
needed Cheap two-Sory wooden cottages, large
enough for families with outbuildngs for servants a.,
are all that is required There lenty ofvacapt lots
in the city itself and the suburbs which may be made
avsilable. Two or more houses may be under one
roof though separate lots would be better. Where gas
Cannot be had candles and lamps must be substituted
and we are glad learn that very economical lamp
for burning lard has been recently invented and sold in
the shops. Gas pipes and fixtures can and will be
made in the Confeteracy. Iron is scarce and costly,
and 90 is the requisite machinery, but energy and sk
il cited by remuneration will overcome these difficulties.
The longer the war lasts the seemingly impossible
articles We will Make and none will pay better than gas
fixtures.
Unless the strngency Of laws soon to DO passed lit
Is hopsd should cause the exodus of the great mass Of
our On population and the multitude of law.ess and
worthless characters which infest the city, we will coon
be compellsd to enlargs the city limits. All told, the
present population Of Richmond be very nearly
one hundred thousand The natural increase Of such
nrmb of people in the course of the three years du-
ring which the war has lied and house building has
been suspended, is equivalent TO the population Of
small town. Should no pestence break out in conse-
Quencs of too much crOwding together, this Increase
Will exhibit geometrieal progression In addition,
there are countesI ADVENTURES disabled soldiers ar
sans capitalists refugees and Others attracted yearly
to the Confederate Metropolis. Should the war list