The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-24
Especial Correspondence of the Boston Globe

Especial Correspondence of the Boston Globe.
.G.g RICHMOND, Dec. 81, 1873.
At this season of the year, Washington
is a favorite point for the Northern travel
er. He may 60 there for pleasure or fol
profit, CT for both. But for whatever pur.
pose he may visit the capital of the nation
he should not neglect. if he have the
time, to take run down to the
capital Of the Old Dominion. at
this season Of the year the trip is particu-
larly pleasant one. While in New Eng.
land. you may be shivering with the cold,
down in this latitude the temperature is
mild and inviting. Travel to this city by
rail is not impeded by snow blockades, ne-
Their is the Potomac so full of ice as to pre-
vent the stanch little steamer from plough
ing its way through to Quantico. Just
now there are but two ways of reaching
Richmond from Washington-by an all-rail
route at night and by boat and train in the
day. This state of things has been brought
about by compromise between two COM
panies. Tom Scott, who reaches his iron
arm out wherever he can, owns the railroad
from Washington to Quantico, distance
of about thirty-five miles. Farther than
this Tom cannot go, at present, because
from this point the Richmond, Fredericks.
burg and Potomac railroad begins; and,
although many attempts have been made
by Mr.. Scott to buy this road for mere
song, all his efforts have thus far failed,
and SO a compromise between the two
companies gives the public an all.rail route
by night and boat and rail route by day.
The latter is by far the preferable way.
Leaving Washington at O'Clock in the
morning, the steamer Keyport carries
you to Quantico; from this point the train
starts for Richmond. The sail down to
Quantico occupies about two hours and
half, and most delightful sail it is.
Breakfast is served on the steamer Just
after she leaves the wharf, and, this over,
ample time remains to enjoy your cigar,
book, paper or the scenery. Of the latter,
! need give no extended description. In
many parts the river equals the famous
Hudson for beauty. The boat touches at
Alexandria and at Glymount, little set
lemont on the Maryland side. Passing
Mount Vernon, the bell of the boat is al |
ways tofied, IN reverence to the memory |
of the immortal Washington. For some |
miles down the river, summer houses dot |
the bank on the Virginia side, while the |
eever-changing scenery and the passing craft |
keep the attention of the traveller closely |
liked until the steamer touches her moor |
ings at Quantico. /
Acquia Creek, so famous during the war, |
and from which place the boat formerly
ran. 1t is merely the starting point for
the railroad, and has been used as such for
about year and half. Upon entering
rntn nh e.
bellum days is noticeable in the improved
condition of the rolling stock of Southern
railroads. Formerly, the cars were of the
poorest description, but now thew are of
modern pattern the trains are furnished |
with the Westinghouse brake, and
the train runs as smooth as one could
wish. The line from Quantico
is managed with great success by its presi-
dent, Mr.. j. Nj. Robinson, of Baltimore.
The road has always paid good dividend
and has lost no lives by accident OF any
kind. The journey from Quantco to Rich
mond is performed in little more than three
hours, and the train makes but few stops,
the principal one being at fredericksburg,
where from the car window may be seen
the national cemetery on the heights made
famous by Generals Burnside and Lee.
Upon entering Richmond, one is pleas
antly impressed with the business activity
observable. The railroad, 4
after leaving the tunnel at the upper end of
the city, makes long detour md passes
through what is destined to become the
fashionable quarter of the capital. Near
ing the depot, you catch sight of the IA
nous Tredegar iron works and the famous
Belle Isle, where so many Union prison rs
were kept during the war. Main stIaet,
the principal business avenue of the city,
is wide-awake thoroughfare, although
much of the retail trade is locating
itself on Broad street, wide
and beautiful avenue, running
parallel with Main. Business is rapidly in
creasing. The panic probably affected
this city less than it did any other, and
but for the failure of the Petersburg banks
the financial depression would hardly have
been noticed. During the past year, there
has been more building done than in any
other three years since the war. Tobacco
and flour continue to be the chief indus-
tries, but / am told that iron and coal are
to be the great products of the future.
Already it is claimed that the Virginia coal
fields are nearer tide water than any others
in the country, and as for iron, "Why,"
said an enthusiastic gentleman, 1--WE can
make iron ten dollars ton less than
it can be manufactured in Pennsylvania.
The granite quarries about six miles above
the city, are producing vast quantities of
granite, which is brought to the opposite
bank of the city and worked into shape,
over 400 men being employed. Colonel
Albert Ordway, formerly of the Twenty
fourth Massachusetts regiment, is at the
head of this company, which has, among
its other contracts, one for supplying the
new State Department now building at
Washington. ~
The great want of the state is immigra.
ton. Already there has been an influx
from the West, particularly Ohio, OF men
Of capital; working men have also
into the coal and iron regions, but
there is still room and great demand
for many more. Judging from the tone
of the people in this city, no one need
be deferred from coming here on account
Of his views. Every one who comes to
stay Is welcome, whatever his political
opinions, and as the Conservatives
the Democrats now call themselves
gained such an overwhelming victory at
the last election, they are perfectly con-
tent to see all the Radicals" who wish
to come and settle and help develop the
resources of the state. /
The old fre-eating spirit has entirely dis.
appeared from the newspaper s'leader,"