The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-24
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!, srrys, /. 8. I. "a, 1879.
Our Waterways.

something on this head. There u Just nov
some discussion md much interest on ttae
subject sag generally that " hateFet
causes an increase OF enterprise ana Of
means aud appliances for the promotion oi
ahe. ,ence OF transports and pab.-
III sceo dation will liz the long run ati-
vance The public interest and the general
welfare, and always. provided our e o" '1a
community and city does wisely and 'acssver
IL VIVA, may be doae to tsrn TO the best use
the advantages conferred npon this locality
BY. nature. These are superior, and nave
so proved in time often under very great
disadvantages, and again in spite OF the
mos, unfair and unscrupn:cus opposition
The matter that Is Just DOW attracting RAG Ii'
some attention Is the establishment OF q me
OF transportation by agreement between
certain steamers and the York Rtve s RAJ
way, which 1T il. supposed Will control q
large amount OF freight.
such an enterprise is not at all new, and
must be considered as one OF the events
that must take their way under the eircum-
stances and The consequences that ensue In
Herewith. \ Richmond has her
.long-maintained supremacy and her admi-i
,rabie advantages Of, beaith,. beauty, and
sdaptability to commerce. West Point has
her peculiarities, and there is no reason
why we should not desire her TO make the
best 0, them. Indeed, we cannot see that
in doing so she will do anything that can
result to our injury. A5g
In the arrangement made by parties to,a
transportation business they are unqueS-
.tionaoly governed by the desire to increase
their profit. Their arrangement is special,
and not intended for public advantage more
than for their own. Their good is incl
dental, as is that OF the public, though ra-
Their subordinate TO their own.
Which, to use the phrase OF the day, is
cali right"
But is it not here that all new arrange
ments render consequential other arrange
mentS which are protective to other inter
csts, and through which the public always
find something useful for their own protec-
ton?
found the sources OF confidence and faith
in interests that stand fortified by such pro-
lection as is always enjoyed by positions
1Ga places that are superior. Richmond is
tie place OF greatest advantage, and we can
sly, with eEtire faith In Der future, that
wc shall bail with cheeriulness every sign
OF activity in all the communications be.
tween her and tidal Virginia as giving
b i:;htness and prosperity to her destiny.
we desire to see every tidal-stream and
every " harf in lower Virginia active with
commerce and full of the life Of business.
Wien a scene like that shall cover our
rivers, what can we expect but that Rich
mond, the lovely queen presiding at the
head OF the tide, win be the most graceful
ma prosperous OF all inland cities ?. IT,
We are, in heart and principle, inclined
to "free trade" We don't want to hinder
trade from going wherever there are attrac-
tions for it. True, we applaud every effort
every liberal, energetic, and intrepid act
OF community to turn to the best account
tie advantages and the means it may have
to swell its business and increase its popu
latlon and wealth. A community which
would neglect to do this would not deserve
success, and it generally fails to achieve it..
And now let us speak directly OF what
Richmond should do, and in doing WHICH
none can find cause to say that she is
alarmed or that she is actuated by hos
tility to anybody She should keep steadily
and perseyeringly at the great work OF
deepening the lower James river. She
should strive at once to obtain twenty feet
OF water to Hampton Roads. That she
can easily acquire, and she should determine
to do SO. Under the able engineering OF
Colonel CRAIGHILL, United States engi.
neer, and Major WHITCOMB, the citv's en-.
gineer, the work has gone on with remark.
able success; and as it has progressed 1t bqs
appeared more and more certain that the
deepening OF the river to depth that will
be efficient is not only practicable, but at a
small cost aud in remarkably short time.
vThis is what our city legislators ought to
concentrate their attention and. their labors
upon. 1t is all in all to Richmond. There
should be no delay, no postponement,; OF
aAy part OF the matter. That the Federal
Government will contribute to the improve
ment OF a liver which has contributed sc
much to the wealth OF the nation we know
Indeed, the appropriations already made
are an earnest-of what it will do. We have
reason to believe that the appropriations tc
this object will increase with time as the
volume OF transportation down the James
River Valley to the Chesapeake increases
We are satisfied that the western connec.
tons Of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
will at an early day throw upon this line oil
exit through the capes OF Virginia vas,
commerce. The projected Richmond anG
Allegheny railway will add immensely K
this commerce, as well as to the business
and manufacturing OF Richmond and tht
James-Riyer Valley.
For all this the way down the James
should be deep and easy. Richmond viii
but attend to her most vital interest by see.
ing that she shall nave this as soon as posi-
BILE. She has a right 10 expect the aid OF
the Government. 1t has given far more to
other works which had not such just claims
IS hers TO Government assistance. But
whatever may be said on this point she
must see to it that the great work of deepen
ing James river shall not be deferred or ne
elected by any means. That is exactly the