Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-06
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 6.
The Iron Interests Of Virginia.


The Richmond Wing, in republishing from the
Gazette the correspondence 10 reference to a
plan proposed for attracting attention to the
great iron interests of Virginia, says: The
suggestion OF Mr.. Britton is emineutly practi-
cable, inasmuch as it is not only admirably
adaptable to the end in view, but is at the same
time cheap and simple. The Wing thus
proceeds: las long as the world lasts there
will be an increasing demand for iron. And
the pew world with new mines may very sooD
be called upon to supply the wants of foreign
nations, which would, if they could, conceal
their own scarcity of this truly precious metal.
Virginia has the good fortune, along with all
her other blessings, to be richly endowed with
iron ore. In fact, her undeveloped iron mines
will, sooner or later, be worth millions on mil
lions to her people. And with the full utiliza-
ton of this great source of wealth there are
other sequent sources that will also be made to
contribute abundantly to the general prospect.
ty of the Commonwealth. Iron is great mo-
tor. 1t rouses enterprise. 1t inctes energy.
1t brings money. 1t gives employment to la
Dor. There is iron enough in Virginia to buy
all the cultivable fields within her limits. The
world is always wanting iron, and the constant
demand is drawing heavily upon the sources of
supply. If our State can attrac, the attention
Of capitalists to her great iron repositories a
new era of prosperity will be opened to her.
There may be at first, 10 some instances, some
trouble as to transportation. But let the mines
be developed, and they will soon find an
outlet.
1.-The plan proposed by Mr.. Britton for an
exhibition of specimens of Virgnias iron
strikes US as the very best that can be adopted.
And We can see no difficulty in the way, but a
want Of organization to carry it out. What is
everybody's business is nobodys business, and
as MIR. John S. Barbour's name is prominently
connected with the correspondence bearing up
on Mr.. Britton's scheme, We would suggest
that he call conference of the railroad presi-
dents of the State, and endeavor to effect a
plan Of cooperative action by which Mr.. Brit
tons proposal may be put into active opera
ton.
Virginia is in need Of all the agencies of
regeneration it is possible for her to command
She has sources Of wealth, and she owes it to
herself to utilize them. Her iron interests, if
properly cared for, vii! soon become so great
as to astound the world with their vasness.
This is practical matter, and We hope it will
be practically, as we'll as promptly, considered.
In publishing the correspondence, the Lynch
burg Republican says: g 1t is not improbable
that the State Board Of immigration might al
so see that the cause of immigration would be
greatly promoted by such Bureau" and
that liberal appropriation from the "immi-
grafton fund :" might be judiciously made to
such an object, thus enlarging and extending its
usefulness. Indeed the establishment of such a
Bureau, at a suitable location and under proper
management, could be made most efficient
means of introducing population and capital in
to the State. Diversified industries can alone
attract people to an extent commensurate with
our necessities The thorough development of
the great iron interests of Virginia is, in our
opinion, of vital importance to the general well
fare of the State. Mr.. Britton is a mineralog-
list Of great reputation and distinction. aud is
endorsed as such by Mr.. Barbpur. There is
certainly no reason why be should over-esti-
mate the quantity or value of Virginia iron
ora ~