The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-09-09
AlrhIllond {llspatfll.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1874
boards of Observation

Boards Of Observation
The propositions introduced by Messrs.
Johnson and CHRISTIAN, ia the Common
Council on Monday evening, are very in'e''
es,ing. General JouSsoN's proposition 'stof
a Board Of Commissioners OF HIGHWAYS
Commerce. and Manufactures, whose duty
j, shall be 20 watch over every matter alice'-
INK the interest Of this city or us peop'e'
The proposition submitted by Mr. CHRIS
r1,s ia TO establish Board of Public " ofhs
IN take into consideration all works OF inter.
ma, Improvement in existence, or when may
no projected from time to time, and make
suca suggestions and recommendations 10
the Council as may sub serve the interest Of
the city.
The Board OF Commissioners, it is pro-
posed. shall consist Of two aldermen ana
three souscilmcn and two citizens. The
Board OF Public Works, Of two aldermen,
three councilmen, and five citizens. The du'
ties of these two boards are similar in pur-
pose; but may be kept distinct in action.
The most important board is that whose
creation is moved by General JOHNSON. ibis
hoard will keep watch without and warn the
city of donger as well as suggest the mea-
sures for defence and for promoting The
general prosperity. The brief speech maze
by General JOHNSON op the occasion was eX-
ac.ly TO the point. There are, as General
JOHNSON said, serious difficulties surround
icg Richmond at the present time, ana II
will REQUIRE great deal OF watcbtu'ness ana
wisdom 10 steer the city through them.
There are two lines of transit through Fir-
gina which have every possible facility, aud
one through Richmond which is subjected
% every possible obstacle short OF entirely
abandoning and aboishinS the line itself.
II any one line should be facilitated more
than any other for the good Of Virginia that
line is through Richmond.
General JOHNSON touched the subject very
properly. 1t deserves most serious conside.
ration. But there are other points in the
railroad discussion in Virginia which should
command our attention, and TO examine
which it is most proper that the board should
De appointed.
If we look beck at the history Of Rich
nond we find that her people have been
prone to fold their arms and calmly contem.
Plate the legislation affecting her interests
wiihou: exerting themselves to control it.
They trusted to the Legislature, which they
regarded pretty much in social Tighten
tertaining the members Hospitality -and, we
venture to say, using less influence over
;hcir deliberations than ever did any other
city ia which the legislative body of State
assembled. Nothing has been obtained for
Richmond by any such means. Very little
has been obtained for her ut all. The cmal
was made along Jlmes river; it could be
made nowhere else. Save that, there has
been very little done that was intended for
The especial advantage of Richmond as the
CONNER cial!y with the people OF the whole
State than all the other leading Virginia
Towns put together.
But Richmond has grown until it is time
and TO take measures for surveying the field
outside, and adopting such policies as are
necessary for the protection of their inter-
ests. No city population can succeed i'll eX-
tending their trade and their manufactures
and their general prosperity, without making
some effort for the promotion Of those OBJ
jects. Every city of wealth and power is in
great degree indebted TO the enterprise and
lioerality OF its population orits prosperity.
Certain il is that Richmond can make but lit
lie Roadway unless her people combine and
confer and work together for the public
good.
We commend the organization of the two
boards, and we particularly commend the
brief and practical speech of General JonN-
sosto ,he consideration of the people of Rich
,noDd