The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-04
{ blv imnortnrt Is Richrr1orld. II Richnaond

bly, importnf1E 10 RlcnEoHu, " lsscfeHsofsn
rants TO grotc.
Politically, the acquisition OF Manchester
to Richmond Is important IL VIII adu
strength TO the city IN the Federal enumera-
tien OF its population. 1t viii tend 10 IN
crease the. political power OF the city IN the
State Legislature and Congress. 1t solidl-
fies the two communities in all their poiiti-
cal MS well as civil relations. Separated,
Manchester, by the oyershadow1ng iDfiu-
ence OF the county OF which It remains po-
liticaly part. may not only detract from
the legislative strength of Richmond, but
may be forced to submit to representation
not always friendly to its own interest or
the interests of Richmond.
The financial exhibit shows the present
productive value OF the water-poWer owned
by Manchester. 1t Yields a revenue OF say
Sc, 900 per annuni, which is six per cent. on
$50, O00-more than half the debt OF Man-
chester-but its future aud real value to
Richmond is matter difficult TO estimate.
Its value up TO S15O.000 is fixed. is It tn-
reasonable to say that the intrinsic value OF
this property may be treated rs FAIR onset
to the debt OF Manchester, to say nothing OF
other property of the city3 In addition TO
this view, Richmond needs the control OF
this water-power for other useful ends,
which want OF space forbids us from DIS
cussing.
The Typographical relations OF Manchester
to Richmond lntrinsically favor the union
of the two places, and the experience or
other cities shows that such union must
ultimately occur for the common advantage
Of both. ii the union OF the two places is
an ultimate necessity, is not every argument
in favor Of its early cossummatton
We advert to one or two circumstances as
indicative OF the recent growth OF Manches-
ter. ..-
For many years prior to and at the close
OF the war there were not more IMAM TOUR OF
five stores in ,Manchester-all grocery stores.
Now there are seventy-fye stores IN diner
emf branches OF merchandise. We think we
are safe in asserting that the volume OF BUSH
ness now done in Manchester in merchan-
disc is at least twenty-five times as great as
was done " thin any period covering thirty
years before the war.
DESPITE the temporary embarrassments OF
Manchester, its growth within the last six
or seven wears in the matter OF buildings Is
greatly encouraging. Prior to that time
framed houses of small dimensions were
being built exclusively. Since that time
the rule has been reversed. Neat BRICK
buildings have within that that time, as
general rule, been built. Our estimate is
that more brick buildings have been erected
in Manchester within The last seven years
than were existing therein ut the beginning
of that period. An inspection OF recent
Improvement we think Will verify this
statement.
We add the following statements on other
points:
r<-r,p
Manchester acquired nearly the whole OF
its water-power by dedication from the trus-
tees OF William Byrd when the town was
laid out in 17G9.-See Mayo Us. Murchle, 3
Muniord, 33S. Its right to the whole OF
the water-power on the southern shore OPP
posite Richmond was completed by the pur-
chase OF the Mayo mills and canal from Cen
cral Winfield Scott and Others IN lS4J, LOT
which the price paid was S22,0O0. Inc
Mayo mills aud canal were in existence at
and prior to 1860. The other establishments
now existing have been erected by the sew
cral tenants under leases from the town or
CITY OF Manchester to them respectively,
beginning with the Manchester Cotton and
Wool Manufacturing Company (now the
Old Dominion Company in 1889.
These tenants are entitled under their
leases to the use OF defined quantity OF
land, with a certain quantity OF water
power, ascertained in square inches under
a pressure OF three feet-the rent being
fixed by given rate per square inch for the
water.
The Leases are for terms OF years varying
from fifteen years up to lin one CASEY fifty
wears, renewable at the end OF each term,
with the option to the city, in some in
stances, to take the property at the end OF
any term on paying valuation for the i'm
provements erected by the tenant. The
Iessees pay all public taxes and charges on
the demised property.
The following table gives informal ion
more in detail as to these leases :
wATER-POwER.