Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-22
How TO Build ND our Cities.

flour capitalists and business men in the
different cities of this State had more Gberality
public spirit and sagacity, they could give new
impetus to improvement and at the same time
greatly enhance the value of their own posses
sons. If the capital which some ofthem keep
locked up abroad Tor safety, and which others
lend out at - per ct. or more, could be employed
in establishing factories and workshops, and in
building houses to accommodate the growing
population, they would not only entitle them
selves to the gratitude Of the public, but they
would themselves reap large profits. One Of
the places which stands in great need OF this
judicious employment of money is the town of
that spirited town. Business has increased,
hourishing, and many new enterprises which
have been started are on the hi Oh road to sue
cess. This favorable condition Of affairs has
turned many eyes to the town Of Dauvlle. 1t
is said that I number Of cntcrprising people
desire to remove there, but one obstacle stands
in the way: All the houses are occupied and
there are no accommodations for new Corners
The Danyille Times thus tells the tale:
THE capitalists here prefer to lend money
at H. per CT. to building houses to rent out
They can get good rent, but they say it IS trou-
blesome to collect. Every week somebody Is
turned away who would settle 10 Danvie if he
could rent house There are neither bust
ness houses nor private dwellings Tor rent.
Could anything be more short-slghted than
this? How can rejecting Men thus tribe With
their own fortunes and those Of the town in
Which all their iutcreslsarG centred? Such OPP
purtrnitcs do not often occur either tondlrld-
ualS or communities The capitalists and
business men OF Danyilc should moi be un-
mindful Of the admonition about that tide
:in the affairs Of men which. taken 1T the
"ilooI leads on to Fortune Should the OPP
porlunity be neglected and the after life of
DanyilIe abound in shadows and in miserics, y
the fault will be theirs They will have de-
! Stroycd their uwn town and twelve per ct.
| will be- the ignoblc cause
Our own city has suffered grieyouSly from
| the same creed We hope it is better
with lis now. We hear of many new man
ufacturing enterprises that have been started,
| Of numerous dwellings, and other buildings in
| process Of erection. This indicates that CAPT
tai which has hitherto been unemployed Or
loaned out ut i large interest is now being
used in the improvements Of the city, the extern
sion Of business and the Development of new
industries.
It Is not the concentration OF wealth IN the
hand& Of 4 few individuals that makes a city
prosperous 1t all depends upon the proper
employment and diffusion Of that wealth. a
score or 80 OF moncyed men. who hide away
their money, or employ it in trading upon the
necessities Of their neighbors, may keepa whole
community in distress for years -retarIing pros
pcrty and chcckmating every effort at cxen.
sion The same amount Of means, expended
in the manner We have indicated, would, in the
long run. lay much more than twelve per CT.
besides building up the fortunes Of whole
community, developing industry, attracting
population and giving employment and support
to hundreds ;nu thousands Of artisans and Ia
boring people.-Rich. Wing.
j.. j.. Lewis. Of Culpeper who vas seyerely
wounded in hatchct battle, between himself