The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-12-09
Rithmond Atspatth.
SATURDAY,. .....DECEMBER 0. 1871
Levelling, Grading, and Elevating'

Levelling, Grading, and Elevatins'
There is q wide field for the labors OF the
engineer in Richmond. A great deal Is 10 nc
done in tho matter Of cutting down ni"''
smoothing Of abrupt points, ana c'e'''''I :
the lowest derrcssions. /. VIII he easy 10
III IN: for the earth that has to be removed
from tho highest points will do that. ROCK
ptts will have TO be raised sererTi 'cct, az
we'll for the promotion Of health rs for the
purroscs of commerce. The low borders
of Shockoe creek require elevation, ana
there is an abundance of material on both
sides for this purpose. Main street should
be elevated considerably at Market bridge
aud the elevation there will do much 10
1--WE an easy grade 10 the street.
These arc matters of great Importance 10
the city. The city rulers should never lose
sight of them. so that In all improvements
that have any bearing upon the prospective
changes at these points tho proper precau-
tionary grades shall be as nearly As POSI-
BILE adopted. The elevation OF kocEetts
and the low land near 1t on HlLLik
creek would greatly promote the health
and comfort of its Inhabitants. And as we
are to have n greatly increased maritime
commerce, 1t becomes matter OF pubic
corctrn that ground near the WhaIYeS ana
shipping shalt be in good condition Tor The |
welfare Of the Increased population, which |
should be settled there for the convenience
utthc business Of lading and unladlnS and
general commerce. Therefore this work is |
necessarily to I've one Of decided impor-
tince. |
The elevation of both Main and Cary |
streets, where they are crossed by Shockoe |
creek, would protect them from the mum
dations which annually take place now, and |
sometimes twice year. They are always |
attended with loss pccuniarilv, and with |
some injury to the sanitary condition OF the |
locality. BY adding several feet to this low
depression. and taking something from the |
higher points in the principal streets, a |
great public beneti; will he secured.
There will be saving Of money and saving |
Of health by 8 system of Improvement look
ing particularly TO these changes. The |
siEect-railway cnrs--the modern agent OF |
cheap transportation in Citics-which in-
H''n III Wy tiiNt lNNN ahNti Nuu
ptnse with, will he, with these changes in
surface, greatly facilitated in their course |
through the streets. Now considerable |
difficulty X encountered in their passage by |
ii few sharp grades. The whole commu-
nifty would be immensely benefited by re-
ducing those grades and eXpeditlng the |
movement of those cars.
l. muy be considered that 1t is rather
early to talk about these things. Not at |
all. We should never lose sight Of them, /
and should shape all our plans for the |
thoroughtares with a view TO them as near /
as we can. Besides, the tunnel viii, we |
doubt not, be cut through Church Hill |
within the next year, and the earth from |
that tunnel should be put where 1t is most |
wanted. 1t should be regarded as precious,
and bot ha lost or put where 1t is useless |
ur where it may lie an obstruction aud |
nuisance,