The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-07-05
City improvements and Advantages.
Within period Of few years great
movement has fakan place In The matter. OF

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movement has taken plaee In the matter OF
city improvement. New ideas have followed
theswonderIul improvement in the means
OF travel. Under this Improvement multi
tudes are transported witha facility un-,
known to our fathers; and this has sug-5
gested new ideas OF Improvement and de.
eoration OF places and grounds, and created
new and popular wants; the means for the
qualification OF which have been steadily
advancing. st sges..t3
All Of us have seen the admirable inycn-
tions, the vast additions, that have been
made Tor the promotion Of public comfort,
qualification, and health. Therapid growth
Of cities, the increase OF the populations
centred in small areas, made these improve
ments essential. Relief to the populations
was brought by the grand facility Of multi
tudinous transportation, and the logical
necessity OF providing qualifications for the
moving masses 10 interest and refine them,
and prevent the indulgence OF rude DISPOSE
tions and injur. Gus tendencies was rapidly
met by amuseEents and attractive public
parks. y n
For the sake OF humanity the era OF these
changes has been a grand one. They are as
yet; we may say, in the morning OF their
development. But we have seen enough to
know that any city which has the ambition
to stand amongst those which are distin-
guished for public spirit, and amongst those
that are attractive for the commodiousness
aud beauty OF their temples. their public
grounds and their highways, cannot remain
idle without al effort ut least to emulate
those great towns whose spirit and means
enable them 10 present to other cities
models Of Improvement. 1t has become
important to the commerce and the general
thrift OF city that the strangers within her
gates, as we'll as their own citizens, shall
find recreation aud delight in her places for
public epioyment.
Richmond is blessed by nature with ex-
traordinary advantages for both health ana
pleasure, as we'll as for commerce. She
offers advantages for the adornment OF art
and for the means OF recreation that are ad-
mirable.
knowing the grand necessity THAT'S upon
every rising city, and knowing the natural
advantages that Richmond enjoys for meet
ing this necessity, we consider her most
fortunate in having for her City Engineer
man whose scientific attainments, cult
waited taste, and comprehensive Judgment,
enable him to turn to good account all the
points Of natural beauty and all the features
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public health and convenience. Not only
Is there this in having man Of such capa-
city, but there is the further assurance that
by no reckless blunder will Il point that
may be used for the public good be con-
yerted to the public disadvantage or dis
comfort. i,
Its in our.riew Of these matters that we
find the most unalloyed pleasure in the re-
election OF Colonel CursHAw. Heis one OF
the very first in his profession in the mat
tiers Of promoting the beauty, the comfort,
and the health OF this fair city. He has
great accomplishments, he has a.tine taste,
heshas aquick and correct. eye, and that
comprehensive talent OF estimation that en-
abes him to view IN eXpanse OF unlm-
proved land, and see in his minds eye
what changes may be made certain improve
ments. Lord .MoRPETu once. said, in look
ing at a lovely grove, that if that grove be-
longed to him there was but one man in all
England he would trust to enter it axe
in band and Richmond people poorly I'M
derstand the gifts showered upon them BY
nature IL they lightly consider the question
whom they shall trust to superintend the
arrangement and decoration OF her streets
aud public grounds.
We repeat that for the reasons above
stated we hail the election Of Colonel CUT
SHAW with unalIoyed pleasure. Richmond
has fine destiny. She is amongst the most
agreeable and beautiful OF cities. She ought
to be improved and decorated as fast as her
means will permit, and in q manner appro-
pirate to her dignity and worthy OF her fine
promise.
Colonel CUTsHAw's labors have progressed
to the exact point where they are most lia-
BILE to fault-indiug and not sufficiently de-
veloped to vindicate themselves and prove
bytheir convenience and propriety the fore
Cdch tuuS OSSiS uSu thSh' hS h'as WI ~
patient under complaints which he knows
will be changed by time into applause.
His strict probity and honor should be an
assurance to all men that their money will
not be misused, but expended for the pub
lie good. They should not forget that the
City Engineer has never exceeded his au-
thoritY, and that all expenditures, as we'll
as the plans Of all expenditures, have been
under the approval OF the Committee on
Streets, and that therefore the complaints
against the Engineer are equally COM
plants against the city representatives.
But when we look over the city and OBJ
serve the admirable unity Of the plan con-
ceiyed by the Engineer and approved by
the Council. there can be hardly man Of
taste who will not approre-nay, applaud
il.
The people OF Richmond have q fine city.
They have before them the grand work Of
improving it and making it most attractive
as place OF commerce, as place OF So
journ for travellers, and as place for plea
sure and health; and all OF us should feel
gratifed to know and thank Providence
that the work Of beautifying and promoting
the comfort Of this charming place Is in the
hands OF one of the most competent men in
his profession.
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