The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-07-14
letter from Alabama.
Correspondence of the I,ichmond Dispatch.]
ICE AND ING-AANCFACTuRES- RADI
CAL ECLE- ELECTIONS IN PROSPECT, &C.


CAL EULE-E ELECTIONS IN PROSPECT, &C.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, July II, 1874.
As Richmond has been complaining OF the
extortion Of ice-dealers-and ice has become
a neceSsity-lct me say for your comfort, in
this swcltering weather, that in this city
there is an ice Manufacturing Company. 1t
began operations in the spring, and has been
so far so successful as to encourage like ip-
yesiments. Very little machinery is re-
uuircd, and the process Of making ice by
steam is comparatively simple. Coils filled
with ether surround narrow and long boxes,
which are filed with salt WAGER. Tin cans,
holding pure water, are immersed in the salt
water. The ether, converted into gas, con-
gealS The waller in the tin cans, and each can,
in the course of seven or eight hours, turns
out block Of ice weighing twenty-five
rounds. About $4,000 pounds are manu-
featured daily. Ice merchants buy ut the
factory for sevcn-eighths Of cent per
pound and sell agan at 15 and cents per
pound, according to the quantity bought.
Alabama is destined to be Il manufacture
ing State. The coal fields are extensive and
valuable. Iron ore of the best quality cX-
lists in abundance. Until the panic paralyZed
trade, the coal mines were developing rap
idly. On the road from Rome TO Selma are
eight iron establishments, and on the North
and South Alabama road several more.
When the road from Calera to Montgomery
was build only one house was in Sight from
the road, now there are seven large steam
saw-mills and several flourishing villages.
The money panic was not as disastrous to
this State Us Radical miSrue. Crimes for
which Cicero denounced Verres, are tame
compared with the atrocities perpetrated on
this people. History scarce furnishes par
aIlel to the villainies under which the South
suffers. 1t is hard to understand how 4
brave people can bear so patiently and sub
missivcly. They endure without resistance;
but life is nearly paralSzed. Energies are
crushed. Hope has fled. Robberies are
open and unblushing. Public funds enrich
officials. Taxes are imposed and collected,
| but often fail to reach the end for which
| levied. The aggregate tasable property OF
the Slate has diminished one third in ralue
since the close Of the ,car.
| Men of grosseSt incompetency fill response
ble trusts administration of justice would
be farce if not so tragcal official bonds are
often not worth the paper on which they are
| written: service on juries is regarded as
patronage to be bestowed on politica
| friends: hapgers-on around court-houses
make jury. service business, and thus eke
ont q mean livelihood in consideration Of
their loyalty to the Radical party. Corrup
official not unfrequently select jurors accord
ing to color and politics. Ignorance and in
competency are virtues compared with thu
crimes committed in the name of liberty an(
equality. If the northern people have an!
humanity they should repent in sackclotl
and ashes for the fearful evils they have in
flicted on the southern States.
The approaching elections are exciting
much interest. The people are UNUSUAL!
stirred. A strong determination is expressed
to obtain, if possible, through the ballot-boX
reparation and security. A thorough can
vass is to be made. General George S. Hous
ton will be nominated for Governor by &C
clamation. A Lieutenant-G Governor, tire
: judges of the Supreme Court, two congress
men, an Attorney General, Treasurer, an
a Secretary of Slate are to be elected by tn
State at large. Six representatives to Con
gress, several chaneelors, circuit judges, an
the Legislature are also to be elected.
One serious drawback hazards success
There seems to be Il mania for office. Can
, ddates are as plentiful as backberries il
, June" Claims are sometimes pressed in a
, inverse proportion to merit. While thl
greed for office may hinder complete sue
| cess, the purpose is often announced to pu
, men of the highest capacity and worth Il
the Federal councils. Since the origin c
] the Government there has not been NOR
inviting field for the display of statesman
, ship than now exists in Congress. Constitu
tional and legislative questions Of the high
est concern, of farreaching import, demand
for their solution integrity, experience, cul
ture, and ability. The South has an oppo:
tunity to regain lost prestige, and, In to
Il dearth OF statesmen at the North, to impres
herself most benefeently upon the legisla
ton and character of the country. L.