The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-04-03


Can YOU not, dear Dispatch, arouse our
Henrico people to the necessity of improy-
ing their roads Our county authorities are
everywhere relniss about this duty, but ASST
redly none can be moreso than those OF Hen
rico. Our roads, since the war, as a general
thing, would be disgrace to any county OF
the State; how much more so Is 1t In TINS
county, whose roads lead to the capital and
largest city of the Slater ~"
We hear rs the excuse for this neglect that
the comfy is so Door that there are no I'M
nroyements going on to justify the expendi-
ture of money for such purpose. I ct the
most Dcrtinent cause for this lack OF thrift Is
the want of better roads. Settlers cannot De
induced TO establish themselves IN nelShDor-
hood where the avenues to market are haii
the year barely passable. TO make their
farms attractive and saleable, localities must
first of all make the approach to them easy
and agreeable. We have abundant PROOF III
tho North and West that good roads are tile
first requisite for improvements in district,
where a welI-kept road, run through sparsely
settled county, is quickly followed by popufa-
tion. Drosperitv, and rapid rise IN the Valile
of lands. Money spent thus adds to the per-
acre value of every place accessible 10 the
road, No better investment Of his time anu
money can farmer make, and every dollar
thus cxpended will be more than repaid every
few wears by the increasing value OF bis LANDS
rs well as bv the saving Of time in hauling TO
market and by the increased weight of produce
carried ut each load.
Let the Dispatch add this subject to its re-
pertoirc of editorial themes for the pubnc
rood. which it has so successfully ana ac-
ceptabIy handled, and urge upon our people
to take hold of the matter. We should make
turnpike, extending at least five miles, OIL
every principal road from the city. Incy
need not be expensive ones. The road-bed,
when properly ditched and having a suftl-
GENTLY convex surface, can easily be kept IN
order Where gravel can be had the road
bed can be covered with it, which makes the
pleasantest and most durable of turnpikes !;
as witness those of west New jersey, which
have been used for over twenty years. Our
roads adjacent to the river, particularly those
extending westward, have excellent material
to construct durable roads i'll the clnders OF
the Tredegar and other iron works, Us well
as the Stag from the Westham Furnace.
A small toll, in few years. besides keeping
the road in good order, will pay dividend
to the constructors, and each year will bring
4 larger revenue from increasing travel.
Every stranger TO Richmond is struck with
its want of good drives through the adjacent
country; yet its citizens have fair proper
ton of pleasure carriages, and there is not
one of them that would not bail with graft
tudc. as well us patronize literally, every inn
proved road that shall be opened. Doubtless
there arc many Of them who will aid by their
means in the organization and construction
of turnpike companies, since they so keenly
| feel the want of them.
/ leave the matter, however, entirely in
your hands, knowing that you appreciate
fully our necessity for improved roads, and
believing that your persuasive pen can ac-
compiSh all that is desired. MAcApAM.