The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-11

made to render certain villages near Rich.
mond attractive, bnt the lands Upon which
they stand are not only devoid OF beauty,
but the surrounding country Hiasmatic,
How different along the valley OF The James:
the whole line would become one aeId u
beauty; under the inspiration OF steam, re-
sidences would spring up upon the hills,
and higher cultivation be attained
throughout the entire country. One whose
natural advantages are almost unequalIed,
and as il increased in wealth and poprria.
ton the towns and cities along the line would
be the gamers. Let Richmond not think
for moment OF throwing away these adj
vanta2es, and consider the folly OF con-
structing road toward the west in any
other direction. The route proposed by
some for constructing straight line To
Lynchburg on the south side would be one
OF far greater cost, and at the same time
devoid OF all these advantages. II would
only be the construction OF another road
through an undesirable, unattractivc coun-
try, and abandoning this beautiful valley,
which, il she be wise, 1t IL her duty 10 i'm.
prove.
Now, ii the city be disposed to take our
view OF this subject and act promptly nDon
1t, the charter therefor will have TO be oh.
tanned from the Legislature, and upon this
subject we would say word. The State.
by her Constitution, can make no moncyed
appropriation for public improvements, and
the amount Of S10,400,000 owned BY her in
canal stock Is entirely worthless. Virginia
neither has the money nor the conStitll-
tional power to aid in the restoration OF the
canal, which is now a complete wreck, and
can never be OF value unless Richmond
takes hold OF it in earnest. Now, let her,
instead Of investing her capital in this dead
scheme OF the past, by wise and energetic
action secure the necessary charter from
the Legislature, issue her bonds for two
millions, or even more il the work demands
it, and she will soon be more than repaid by
the life, stimulation, and activity given to
all branches OF business. The State will be
enriched by the growth OF her cities, and
also by the development OF the country
along the valley and contiguous thereto,
and thus immediately, though indirectly,
will begin to realize something from her
long lost, and otherwise forever lost, invest
ments in canal StOchS.
To our minds, Richmond is vitaIly inter-
ested in this scheme, and the counties along
the line should urge upon their representa-
tives its Importance. Aud other portions OF
the State should not stand in the way Of the
development Of scheme promising 80 much
to the whole country.
An objection arises in the minds OF some
to the site OF the canal for railroad. re-
cardin" If as too low and ubject to in ury
from food. But we can readily see how
small and inirequent injuries from this
cause would be to railroad situated where
the canal is were the dams removed and The
Nn.- oil fl,.t,.
natural bed. The easy grade, desirable To-
cation, and almost ready construction OF
the road.bed would be advantages over
riding all difficulties. No; let the canal be
converted into railroad, and ct0ncc. Let
this food, the highest ever known in the
history OF the country, wash away all idea
OF the retention OF the canal, even ~ 1t has
the canal itself. Let Us really catch the idea
at this "flood,' and it vii! surely " lead
us on to fortune"
There is much in the discussions which
have been held by the Boards OF Public IN
tercst, Aldermen. and Common Council to
give pleasure and satisfaction TO the we'll
wishcrs OF this desirable scheme. though, as
might be naturally supposed, it has there
found its opponents also ; but when we find
such men as Judge Meredith, Franklin
Stearns, George L. Christian, and General D.
r. Anderson, and others, urging the prosecu-
ton OF this great work, we cangladly JOIN
hands with them, and press the considera.
ton of this important subject upon all
thinking minds vino are not too humorous
or too much welded to obsolete views.
There are details OF construction to be
decided upon BY the beginners. There are
questions us to how far, IT, at all, the canal
should be. kept up for the purposes OF sup
plyine water to the city and lis manulacfIIr-
Ing interests; all OF which can be decided
upon in due time. There are questions
involving the rights OF parties along the
line to water, &c, which will fall under the
consideration OF the Legislature and the
courts but let us at once decide upon the
main point, that the railroad shall be
speeduy built by Richmond along The line q
tie canal. Let not the Legislature. by false
estimate OF the worth OF nominM stock
owned BY the State, withhold its consent 10
q road which would be the most valuable"
throughout her borders. Every Interest
OF town, country, and section at large calls
loudly for that improvement, and that at
once. w.