Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-05-09
Onr Richmond Contemporaries.

w are grained TO see the Interest WHICH is
manifested by the Richmond journals in the
prosperity of their beautiful city. We share
largely in that interest and would gladly con-
tribute our mite to the advancement of the OBJ
ject which they have in view. But with all
due Difference to the Richmond Press, we re-
specially suggest that they have not adopted
the most efficient means of accomplishing their
end
The Wing insists, that if Richmond shall in
the future become populous, wealthy and pros
porous, it is to be through the agency of man
ufactures and not of commerce. On the other
hand, the Dispatch, while it admits that Rich
mond offers many advantages for manuaoto-
ries yet contends, that from her position, eli
mate and railroad and water communications,
she is destined to acquire great commercial i'm
portance in the future.
On these points we agree with both Of our
respected cotempoaries. We believe that
Richmond has ali the natural advantages Of
properly lAesovsdl % slve 10 her prominent
pesltiea, basa AZ a manufacturing aud eemmers
ga v5sS
tsae We respectfully submit, that the dis.
Sdstaeqs, IL kAe sag4A sAes have taken, are not
calculated 10 SO aaeA coed, They are too
vague AID abstract ia their character What
il needed new Is net 70 show spAg Richmond
should heeeNe prosperous, bat Aese that end is
20 b accomplished The discussions should
assume more limited, specific and practical
shape, Public attention should be directed to
the particular means, and enterprises by which
the prosperity of Richmond should be advo-
Gated. We live among practical, energetic
people, and tce see around US daily evidences
of what industry, sagacity and indomitable
will can accomplish. Thirty years ago our
town was quiet, inactive village, stationary,
If not declining. A few active public spirited
and enterprising men, then took hold of it,
and gave direction to It's councils, and it has
now almost quadrupled its population, and in
creased its business and wealth in correspond
ing ratio. This was effected, not by general
discussions, but by Selling on those enterprises
which were specially calculated to promote the
public welfare, and pushing them through
We now respectfully advise the citizens Of
Richmond, and especially, the Richmond
Press, to follow our example And by way of
beginning, we will mention one measure,
which is of great Importance to Richmond, and
also to the people of the interior, and we ear
nestly invite the cooperation of Richmond, in
pushing 1t through
We allude to the extrayagant fares and
4t,oN hos DO 2 p
are now, at least 335 per cent too high. Moth
ing would contribute more to the commercial
and manufacturing prospects Of Richmond,
than free and cheap intercourse, between that
city and the country, and interior towns.
The fare between Richmond and Staunton, a
distance of l36 miles is now $3.50. To go
from Staunton to Richmond and return there
fore cost $3.50. This operates as an effectual
embargo on intercourse between the two cities,
except in the case Of persons who are COM
PEELED to go from one to the other.
On most of the Railroads north of US the
cost of travel is about q cents per mile. At
this rate the cost Of the trip from Richmond
to Stanton would be So. 40. or exactly one-half
the present charge.
We venture to say, that if the fare were re-
duced even to 81, the number of through pas
sengers Ito say nothing of the local traver
would soon be doubled.
Nothing tends to give SO much activity to
business as cheap and rapid intercourse be-
tween different parts Of our State. Every per-
cnn who ofoae RI P;obr,ord ouon H,r n c;,clo
day, must independently Of travelling ez-
penses) leave from SIS to $40, and more fire.
quently, ten times those amounts, in the city.
Every visitor patronizes the hotels, the hack
owners, and in nine cases out of ten, the mer-
chant, the shop-keeper, the milliner and man
tua-naker, the confectioner, the halter and the
manufacturer of some sort of fabric. The
more people therefore, who can be brought to
Richmond the better for the business of the
city. Cheap fares are necessary to promote
free intercourse IF merchant, or farmer, or
mechanic wants supply of some kind Of
goods, fertilizer, or fabric, be calculates the
cost of going to get it, and finding it SO exor-
bitant, he at once concludes to do without it,
or if he is obliged to have it, he telegraphs to
Baltimore to some one to buy it for him, and
runs the risk Of not being suited Richmond
thus, in every such case, loses the benefit Of
her proximity and the profit Of visitor, and
the r. r. the fare of passenger, both to and
from Richmond. Nor is this ALL Every body
knows the force Of temptation to man from
the country, when all the alluring stocks of
goods Of a city like Richmond, are exhibited
before him. He thinks Of his wife and his
daughter and bis sons at home, as his eye runs
over the beautiful dress goods, and shawls and
hats, and ribbons, and gloves, &c., &c, and
he forthwith concludes he must take home a
handsome present to each of those who are old
enough to enjoy them, besides the dolls and
toys, and confectionaries, and fruits for the
younger members Of his family. In this way,
many farmers expend $50 or 800 more than
they dreamed Of when they left home. 'Ab-
sence makes the heart grow fonder," and the
rural man. who has spent few days in a
crowded city and begins to realize what mere
atom he is, and how indifferent everybody is,
in regard to him and his affairs, will be sure to
find his heart turn with a warmer glow, to his
domestic circle, where he knows eyes will grow
brighter. and voices more cheerful upon his re-
turn. He will think of the clinging arms, and
pattering feet, and joyous mirth, that will wei
come him home, and he feels constrained to
carry back with him some little memorial Of af-
faction To each nnnohar nf the family