The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-21
Editorial Correspondence.

Editorial Correspondence.
POTOMAC CITY, July 10.
Travellers on the Richmond, Fredericks-
burg and Potomac railroad to Washington
are surprised as they approach Quantico
by q large and noble edlfice, nearly finished
in the best modern style. The building
stands near the track, in full view of the
Potomac, and presents pleasant contrast
to the wild and uncivilized region through
which the railroad passes for many piles.
This edilice is hotel, designed to
be the nucleus and beginning of a
new enterprise inaugurated by the Potomac
Land and Improvement company. This
organization of northern capitalists is rep
resented by DR.. Arson Bangs, gentle
man of large means and extraordinary en-.
ergy and sagacity. The hotel, erected UNI
under his immediate superintendent,
contains lO5 rooms, is fire-proof, admirably
Ventilated, elegantly finished, and is alto
gether the best hotel building in the state.
DR.. Bangs very properly says, that peo-
Pile who come to new country should
have comfortable place to stay while
they are looking, or after purchasing
while they are building homes of their
own. This requirement will be amply
met when the new hotel is opened.
But why should people come here? What
is to make town of Potomac City
These enquiries are constantly repeated
in our hurry as travellers. Let
us hear what DR.. Bangs has to say
in justification of the large outlay of his
company in. grounds and improvements.
1st They claim to have twenty-seven feet
Of water at low tide from this point to the
sea. I'd. They are several miles nearer
the coal-felds Of West Virginia than eithe,
Richmond or Baltimore by practicable
routes. Sd. They have back country
full of iron ore, stone, slate, timber
and soil of admirable quality
with abundant means Of restoring
and increasing its fertility. 4th. They
have the means, in connection with friendl,
interests, of constructing such short lines a
may be required to complete those railroat
connections. They intend to build along
north to the Baltimore and Ohio, crossing
the Orange and Alexandra railroad, nea
Manassas, and terminating at Monocacy
where they will receive the Cumberlan'
coal. This will be remarkably chea
line, running through fine country, whic
will give good local trade in time.
Southwark they will have connection
with the Chesapeake and Ohio road a
Charlottesville, which is eleven miles neare
Potomac City than it is to Richmond. The
connect also with the Midland road at tn
same point, giving them direct route
the Valley of the Tennessee.
tits forty-three miles less distance t
Potomac City from Lynchburg than to MOI
iolk. With these important and controllin
facts in his favor, DR.. Bangs very natural
ieels great confidence in the success Of h
enterprise. The coal and iron will see
tide-water by the shortest routes unles
some unfavorable conditions are encounter
ed at the shipping points. The appoint
ments here will be of the most extensiv
and perfect character. A wharf is beir
constructed 500 feet long, and "a feet abo,
low water, with room to load four vesse
of the largest size lying in 80 feet
water. Yard room is being prepared SUI
Gent for thousand cars. ae =a
The lines are being located, and {
repair and construction shops are soon
be built, in which cars are to be made
an extensive scale. As soon as the ro
survey is completed, the property will
laid off in lots, according to the mo
approved modern plans, and offered I
sale. 81
People who know nothing of the laws
growth as applied 10 towns, may SIN
incredulously at the prospects of this nc
enterprise, but we have faith in It !. BIO
because of the favorable natural condition
and of the energy and skill with which
is being handled. AS a point for /
manufacture of iron, and other heavy VIC
incident to that industry, it cannot
surpassed.
Cheap land, cheap living, cheap ira
portation combine with agenial and heal
full climate to give the manufacturer ey
possible advantage. 1t has easy access
every source Of supply for raw mater
and also to all the markets of the wo
for manufactured products. As comm