Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-07-20
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
THURSDAY, JULY 20, 1871.

FROM THE ADVERTISEMENT in another col
umn of the Gazette, it will be seen that the
Orange, Alexandria and Manassas Railroad
Company have taken the initiative and entered
the market to purchase lands along their line
of railway in accordance with the act OF the
last Legislature and recent circular OF the
President of the company on that subject This
measure has been tried by the Western Rail
roads and enabled them to dispose Of and set
tie their surplus lands to great advantage
With proper co operation from the community
its adoption ought to accomplish valuable re-
suits here. In the West the plan was con-
ceiyed as speculation to realize profits from
the sale of lands. In this enterprise the Rail
road Company do not propose to make any d.
rect profit from the resale Of lands, but look
to reimbursement for their outlay in the i'm
provement of business, which must follow the
settlement of the country upon its line with i
new population and increased production. The
plan carries with it the cutting up OF existing
tracts into small farms, and the establishment
Of agricultural and manufacturing villages at
suitable points upon the road. The project: If
successful is full Of interest both to the city Of
Alexandria, and the back country sought to be
populated by its agency. Every Individual who
nay be brought into the country BY this means
will either produce or consume something which
Alexandria may trade for, and at the same
time add new values and resources to the local
communities Of the interior. We need capital
for our material prosperity, and labor because
it creates capital. If we can fill up our sparsely
settled lands and make the waste places produc-
tive, we will SECURE that material progress and
prosperity to which our genial climate. fine
soil, and proximity to market, justly enttle Us
There is no part Of the United States so full
of the essential elements Of national wealth as
the region of Piedmont Virginia sought to be
improved by this measure of the Orange, Alex
undria and Manassas Railroad Company. Apart
from the favorable conditions of climate, soil,
and location, before referred to, iron ores, and
other minerals, abound and numerous streams
flowing from the mountains to the tide level Of
lower Virginia furnish ample water power for
manufacturing the crude materials Of every To-
cality The products of the fields, forests, and
mines, alike invite speculation and settlement
and promise large future results. The plan in
no wise conflict, with tho business nf Real Is
tate Agents whose sales are confined to parties
coming to Virginia with more or less capital in
hand, but by means Of small tracts and extend
ed credits for term of years will enable the
immigrant of limited resources to get home
aud pay for it by his skill and labor. The two
measures naturally supplement each other, and
the class likely to be brought in by the Rail
road plan will probably lay the foundation to
induce larger immigration Of the other class in
short time.
We invoke the due consideration of the land
proprietors to this measure 50 full Of benefit to
all, and respectfully urge the Importance on
their part of granting to the Railroad Company
their surplus lands, now comparatively unpro-
ductive, and accepting for them the valuable
interest bearing stock which the Company Of
fers, and which can be made to serve their pur-
poses by passing from one to another in the
payment Of debts, or held as permanent future
investment