The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-30
HOW TO ENCOURAGE THE SETTLEMENT
OF VIRGINIA.


We have had occasion before to call the at
tention of our readers to various modes by
which immigration may be encouraged and
settlements established in our State. H.
Among the many things to be done,
nothing is more important than to secure
local centres Of population. The traveller
in Virginia encounters splendid scenery,
grand rivers, lofty mountains, magnificent
plains, rich valleys sprinkled with springs
and coursed with rivulets. He finds noble
forests Of valuable timber, fertile soils,
mines of untold wealth, coal, iron, lead,
copper, gold, slate, marble and granite;
whatever man needs for his comfort, and
civilization requires for its perfect growth,
is here.
But, amid this rich profusion OF endow-
ments, he is bewildered by the absence of
organization. Everything seems spread in
wild confusion, n chaos of wealth. una
valuable because no cooperative society ex-
lists for its development.
Il He passes over the State, and looks in
vain for those little villages which one en-
counters every few miles along the railroads
and rivers OF the West, whose cozy homes,
neat school-houses and churches, and well
organized industries afford guarantee of
the facilities for comfortable living. The
laying out and building up of these delight
full rural resorts is becoming more general !;
sometimes suburban TO the large cities. but
more frequently as the natural centres Of a
considerable country neighborhood. 1t is
everywhere profitable to the local land
holders, and to the purchasers as well.
The concentration of population is all
ways followed by a rise in the price of ad-
jacent lands, and thus large districts of
country around the new centre of activity
feel the impulse. Lands sell readily at en-
HANGED prices, which before were not sala
BILE at all.
1t is, OF course, essential that the sites
for such settlements should be judiciously
chosen. They should be upon railroads or
on navigable waters, the land high and
healthy, good surrounding country, and
good roads out, or at least, facilities for
making them cheaply. A water power
and good supply of building material are
also important adjunets.
The plan of laying out the site is also
very important. Upon this depends largely
its attractivcness and the facilities offered
for business, as well as the safety, conve-
nience and comfort of the people, The
streets should be broad, and lots, not less
than half an acre to make fire risks as
slight as possible, and give room for a nice
garden to every house. The reservations
for school, church and public grounds
should also be generous to meet all pro-
spectiye as well as present wants of popu-
lation. With these general points observed,
a competent surveyor, who has studied
town sites at all, will be able to make
plat that will meet every requirement of
beauty and utility.
Now, what Virginia needs is, that such
sites should be laid out every few miles
along her great lines of communication,
and thus afford an opportunity for her own
people, ana Tor new corners, TO concentrate
IN villages where tAey can ENJOY SOCIAL
privileges, now IN great measure Denied
them. Inc new conaitons ihyoiVe SUD
division OF large es'atcs' ana 'he thorough
working Oh sihail iaiihs. " ilh such cen
tres as ABOVE indicated' estaoiisiied' per-
sons looking Tor locations would ma IL
l.. 4
possible 10 select, among some OF the nu-
merous SITES, one sui'eu 10 lHeir means
ana 'a as' reputation wouiu 'elio 70 con
cehtfate around natural cehlreS' anu tle
country wouio ihaAe +" i'e''l''y anu iai''u
= crown.
III inns WorA Inc iaii'oa'' i'iies sioo,''
taNe inc ieau' lney nave 'he means III
rneir own coh'iol 70 w ~ sl'so's''o' !
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OWLS 'ii', W. ~ ~ '.o'' y wy 9.9p ,lpe
p'aeea oi .o ."n.oaa 80 81 eo Vs. - NJ.
o''0' " - = 80, W - ~
~ " +
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