The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-24
A Yoacc RAISED fer flse James Rzvsr
ysalev tea8arOnts . ss5as

BTcHA NaNs December %, us g.
Edstors OF Dispaf ch s Dear Sirs, - d av.l
| beg that you will urge with all yottr Hstghl
The ratification by the ii legislature OF the
contract for the sale OF the canal 10 The
raiiroaa company &c Isl our only hope In
this section. We are Ike the drowning
Iman.-we must seize what we can get ear
lljest. Already our lands and property
have decreased II, value one third, and by
she assessment Of 1880 this property Will
lose another third in value unless we have
transportation restored. Indeed, good
portion OF the country viii be deserted.
Several families are now preparing TO 20
West, and good many haue moved from
here, because we are 30 cut on from mar
ket. III speaking in favor OF the railroad,
| ps far as I can learn, T speak the universal
sentiments OF the people Of this section.
we would prefer, If ,oe had any choice, to
have the canal permanently restored; but
after Major Johnston's remarks before the
committee, we do not see how 1t is even 70
he patched up; and II it were, the probability
Is that it would be washed out again IN less
than swelve months. We do not see why
our Legislature should hesitate q moment.
| II they consent, we are to have good deal or
foreign capital invested among: Us and a
valuable Improvement built in a very short
time, IL they refuse. we not only get mo-
thing, but lose certainly what we have.
| What il the State has spent SIC, 1000, 900 on
L the canal, she did so to develop the country
and increase taxable values not asa profta-
BILE investment: and II the railroad effects
| this development and increase Of values
MORE EFFECTUALLY, is not Der money wen
spent? 1t would furnish new life-blood to
Richmond. She would getby the railroad
A. a. 81 Sc wh1nn
now goes to Baltimore; and this IS only
small Example of what she would gam.
We are not ut all pleased that Dir. Tucker
announces himself opposed to all appro-
priatious for our harbors and rivers. We
pay the greater portion OF the revenues OF
the Government here in the South, and GER
tainly we are entitled to at least our share
OF the benefits. Heretofore it has been
spent In oyerrunniug us with tue army.
- w.
Latcr.-I understand there is petition
being gotten up in the upper end OF this
county asking the Legislature to oppose the
" railroad scheme" and favor the resto-
ration Of the canal. This is absurd, as
that portion OF the county does not
ship anything by the canal oltener than than
once in twelve months, and Gerry aug
then. Colonel Edmund Pendleton propoSes
getting up condensation iaYoiihs Tue
raiIroad. Which is our true interest as well
nc our true sentiment We are now hauling
TO The Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio rail-
road, fourteen miles. over mountain (seVen
miles, through mud axle-deep, and oar very
existence depends on the railroad being
built. Richmond claims and insists that
| Virginiaus should trade with her and en-
courage her enterprise, but she takes q one
lsided view OF the matter and is not willing
to help us when in trouble to get a route
direct 10 the city.
I have talked TO a great many prominent
and sensible men, and what have written
Is their opinion without exception. W.