The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-10-12
,vrnvrsnAY OCTOBER y, 1870
Manchester and Richmond.

Manchester and Richmond.
Tho Great error OF this locality--cr thu
,enn,e that live in it's a want Of appre
citation OF It's advantages and its destiny. i
Is to become great In its business and in It
productive industry. Manchester is par
OF the locality, so situated that it is indis
pensable to the actions that must soon TAX
place here, and must be part of the thea
tire upon which they occur. 1t cannot b'
omitted. 1t must be brought in by I'm
taxed intercourse with Richmond by irc'
bridges and by becoming part OF INC Guy
No man who will reflect upon the su'9ee'
can fail to see this.
Now. MAYo's bridge being acated ao"n
the river, the opportunity is iaVofS''. ~.
the establishment Of free bridge e''hei
as contemporaneous with the junction %
the corporate existence OF Manchester WITH
Ricbmond or as a precedent to that very
important measure. :,
We regret to sec that at the Threshold
there has begun controversy as to the
relative part the two towns shall have IN
the grand enterprise Of 4 free bridge. 1t Is
n pity to reduce so great public benefit to
the stage Of higgling. Wemean no censure
og one side more than the other. But the
subject is one that should be approached in
the most liberal and comprehensive spirit.
It is not one Of those questions that can be
disposed Of hurriedly. There arc ques-
tons involved for deliberate inveSti-
cation. Great advantages for both sides
of the river are to he derived from
free bridge and from the combina-
ton of both under one municipal govern.
ment. These and NIL the questions growing
out Of them should be approached in the
calmest and fairest manner, with sincere
devotion to the general welfare of the boun-
tifully-endowed region at the falls OF James
r yer. In this spirit those having the mat
ter in charge would arrive at just conclu-
sions, which, after a fair canvass. would,
We are sure, be adopted by the people OF
both sides of the river.
We are gratifed that the Council of the
city Of Richmond determined not to ahan-
don the enterprise at once, and continued
It's eesnittee appointed to consider the
matter. We call upon both sides to give
their earnest attention to the subject. III
involves in vital manner the best Interests |
of Manchester and Richmond. We warn
both towns Of side issues and personal in
terests in opposition to the great measure.
Some on the south side don't want free |
bridge or consolidation with Richmond
until they have bought more land on |
the south side as speculation. Some |
Office holders are afraid that their per-
Quistes will be curtailed by CONSOLE
dation, while on the north side there are
gentlemen who fear that a free bridge and
the annexation Of Manchester to Richmond
will reduce the value of land on the north
side by the opening Of new lands and new
homes for the men conducting business in
Richmond. These people all belong to the
greedy class Of men who
think that public convenience ought always
to be subordnated to their personal into
rests. Short-sighted mortals e! In no way can
their individual interests be SO effectually |
promoted as by measures which increase
the business, the comfort, and the general
thrift of the community. Like water,
the prosperity Of town must be
dtifused, must be brought to level. |
And the enhancement of values Of
property will be extended through |
out the city limits, as will the il.
crease of business be shared in by all men |
in Office and in all the walks Of trade and |
commerce. We trust there is enough Of |
public spirit, and of that liberal and COM
prehcnsive idea Of the general interest, to
enable the people Of both towns to secure
the triumph Of the public welfare over the
narrow and contracted vie VS. of the selfish
and avaricious.