Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-07
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
MONDAY, OCTOBER :, 1872.

TIE PROGRESS OF IMpRovEM NT.-As an
additional evidence of the real progress OF i'm
proyement in Alexandria, the City Passenger
Railway Company, chartered by act of the Leg
islature, and for the construction Of whose road
the City Council has granted right of way
over King street, with the privilege OF using
such other streets as may be necessary for the
purpose of laying lateral ks, was organized
on Saturday, and assurances given by the Presl-
dent, Mr.. Andrew Jameson, that the work OF
construction would be begun at an early day
as soon as some necessary preliminary arrange
ments in the procuring Of lumber, &c, can be
made, and that If not prevented by uufavorable
weather, the first of December will see road,
complete in all its equipments, extending from
the wharf, at the foot of King street, to the
"Stone Bridge" at West End, with the neces-
sary tracks upon other streets. While good
deal of the stock was subscribed in this city,
such was the confidence entertained in the sue
cess of the enterprise, that large subscriptions
were made in Washington aud Baltimore, and
thus we shall have thrown into our midst quite
an amount of capital, relieving our own citizens,
to that extent, and afording them an oppor-
tunity of Investing in the proposed Marine Rail
way, Iron Rolling Mill, and other contemplated
industrial works
1t is thus that the realization of the hopes OF
our people, for which they have SO mantu|ly
striycn for years past, are being realized, and
the progress Of improvement made apparent.
Soon We shall have Touring mill, conducted
by one of our citizens of ample experience, and
a thorough practical knowledge Of the business,
and negotiations are now going on for putting
again into full operation the Pioneer Mills, hav-
ing capacity Of eight hundred barrels OF
flour day, to be managed by gentlemen from
abroad, who, attracted by the facilities afforded
here for manufacturing arc arranging to invest
their means in this place, believing that with a
proper spirit of encouragement, they will be
able to make this -four market second to none
in the country.
The Mount Vernon Cotton Factory, in the
hands of Mr.. Turnbull, is successfully COM
peting with manufactures ola similar kind in
other parts of the country, and has become a
paying investment.
Mcssrs. Jameson & Collus, at their iron
foundary have been compelled to make ex-
tensive additions to their works, aud arc now
doing large and constantly increasing bust
ness; while our planning mills, cabinet and door
and sash factories, machine shops and all the
various manufacturing interests Of the city, are
in fourishing condition.
1t is by means of manufactures that Alex
andria is to be built up and made a thriving and
prosperous city; while the canal aud the rail
roads already centcring here, and those project
ed, will pour into her lap an abundance of all
the needed agricultural and mineral products;
and the additional facilities afforded for travel
between this city and Washington, will make
this the residence of very many who do bust
ness in the former place.
Upon the whole the prospects of Alexandria
were never brighter, and while the spirit Of
Improvement manifcsting itself, Park should
not be overlooked. While the land can be had
and before its value is enhansed, as it must
necessarily be, by the expansion of the city
limits, steps should be taken to procure suf:
icient quantity to lay out handsome park for
the benefit of the people, and the adornment Of
the city. At a considerable cost one of the
handsomcst market houses in this country
has been nearly completed, while by the mu-
nifcencc of one of our citizens it will be sur
mounted by steeple, which for beauty of de-
sign and architectural skill, will be excelled by
few similar structures, and the masonic temple,
erected on the market building, will render the
whole very imposing and make it an ornament
of which Alexandria may we'll be proud. AL
ready the demand for dwelling houses here, es.
pecialy those suited to families of moderate
means, far exceeds the supply, and the con,
sruction of a number of such is not only need
cd, but would prove very excellent invest
ment.
Places Of amusement are also needed and
they will naturally follow the influx of popula-
ton, but while the social attractiveness of our
city is proverbial, no stranger, or traveller,
should have cause to complain for lack of re.
fined amusement, to while away the hours Of
the evening.
Let our people take renewed hope from the
evident signs Of Improvement going on in their
midst, lend helping hand to all the enterpris-
es that look to the advancement of the general
Interest, encourage the introduction of popula-
ton and capital by all the means in their power;
especially encourage home industries; buy
at home and thus build up our own mer-
chants and enable them to compete more
surely with those of other places, and be as
sured that our growth and further improve
men. will be rapid and that all will reap the
advantages, while trade and travel will be at
tracted and additional incentives held out to
the people of Virginia. with whom we arc
brought into commercial relations, and who are
ever willing to lend to Virginia city helping
10 ~ IL r