The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-02

the immediate theatre Of the battles between
the two largest armies ever assembled. To this
was added, upon the execution of the city, the
destruction by fire of the larger and most
valuable portion Of its buildings. The obstruc-
tons placed In the river by both armies have
been added to the natural obstacles to its navi-
cation. Upon the canal, the bridges and locks
were injured or destroyed; and on our rail-
roads, bridges and depots, engines and cars
ruined and the railroad track partially torn
up; and yet there has been u great revival from
this. - 80 :,
It has been truly said that the courage, en-
.ergy, enterprise, and resources of our age and
the people Of the United States find no paral-
lei In history. There has probably been no
age In which such important and difficult in
dustrial enterprises have been projected and
undertaken as In the present decade. We re-
specially submit that Richmond and Vir-,
ginia have been fully up to the spirit of the
age. The work Of material reconstruction
goes forward with yigor in spite of the diff
culties of political reconstruction. In this
city all the iron establishments, the flour, cot
ton, and paper mills, have resumed successful
operation; our merchants have been re-esta.
blished, and the burnt district covered and
adorned by costly and elegant buildings.
The canal and railroads leading into the city
have been re-instated, and additional means of
transportation have been provided.
These railroads are closely connected with
the great system Of railroads north, south,
and southwest, and the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad seeks western terminus through the
centre OF Virginia and West Virginia on the
Ohio river, and q connection there with the
great railroad system of the West and North
west. This road has been completed through
tho Blue Ridge to Covington, the base Of the
Allegheny range OF mountains. The Ale
ehany has been tunneiled, and the road will
this year be completed thirty miles further, TO
the Greenbrier river, on the western slope OF
the Allegheny mountains. 1t passes this
range with grades of only 2oh feet to the
mile, and will then have IN easy valley route
to its terminus on the Ohio. 1t is confidently
expected that this road will be completed in a
few years, and that it will practically prove
TO be only one additional connecting line with
the great Pacific railroad, connecting the At
lant!c with the Pacific, and serving as ne
cessary means for the transportation OF the
vast and rapidly-increasing products Of the
West and Sou thwest.
The population Of this city is believed to ex
coed &C, 900; the increased value of it's real es-
tate Is, perhaps, from two to four millions of
dollars. ..- r#+
1t has been under trials, difficulties, and per-
plexities, that this much has been accomplish
ed. We have shown every disposition to help
ourselves out Of surrounding difficulties. We
know that commerce bestows her benefits only
on those cities which afford the greatest facili-
ties for conducting it. The railroads and ca
mails completed and in course of construction
must debouch mighty tonnage from the West
upon the James river. The Virginia route
advantage Of all other routes AS respects
grades, distance, and alignment, but it also
affords the shortest connection by rail- between
steamboat navigation of the West and tide
water. From the level of steamboat navigation
on the Great Kanawha to Richmond will be
th rec hundred miles of railroad. If, with su-
perior advantages, it only performs the work
Of competing lines, it will be taxed to its ut
most capacity to accommodate the immense
through trade which will crowd upon it.
Stota nfL ,4r,Dl Ind
nois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and
DacoLah, with portions also Of Montana, Min
nesota, and Wisconsin, will find in this Fir-
ginia line their best and cheapest route to the
Atlantic. In order TO afford the greatest ia
cilities for conducting this mighty trade our
river must be improved. Congress has as
sumed jurisdiction over such improvements.
The duty and responsibility belong to you.
We ask that Congress will enlarge their APP
probation of southern necessities un til II en-
braces all leading obstacles to enterprise. We
ask that the obstacles in the way of the navi-
CATION of the james river be removed without
delay and that Congress lin the language of
a distinguished member) will discover the
need of governmental succor and direction in
restoring the commerce Of our State, not TO
exercise any miraculous influence upon the
political proclivities of the uthern people,
but TO avail itself of this opportunity to de-
mon strate its desire TO be just, and even gene
rous, where material interests are alone con-
cerned."
The memorial was referred to commit
tee consisting of Messrs. W. II. Mcfarland,
franklin Stearns, Saunders, Sharpe, Kent,
Ordway, G. W. Smith, General milford,
and Charles Darlington.
SALE OF ANTHRACITE COAL.
Mr.. Sharpe, from the committee appoint
ed for that purpose, reported an ordinance
to regulate the sale of anthracite coal, pro-
viding that it should be sold by weight
1000 pounds constituting ton. Viola
tions of this ordinance to be punishable by
fine of from ten to twenty-five dollars. The
ordinance to take effect from the 10th of
February. Passed after first, second, and
third readings, under suspension of rules.
EXTRA PAY.
Mr.. Miller gave notice that he would
contest at the next Council meeting the ap-.
preparation made to Mr.. Ralston at pre-
vious meeting as in violation of a city ordi-
nance.
The Council then adjourned.