The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-21
fBoston Journal.J
Richmond. Waits Growing Manu-
featuring Interests.


the history OF spirit OF determination and
fof enterprise which does great credit to its
present business interests. The Richmond
OF 10 day has been rebuilt in iron, brick,
and stone. and when we say that the largest
portion OF the business part OF the city was
burned at the close OF the war. II may be
understood that nearly three square miles
Of new buildings have been erected. The
new part OF the city has certainly buildings
OF modern and substantial character, and
| in order TO accommodate the increasing
business which Is now coming to Its
wharves and dep0s building operations are
being constantly pushed forward
The railroad connections OF Richmond
| have been very materially improved and
extended. The Richmond, Fredericksburg
ard Potomac railroad. the Richmond and
| Danyille, the Richmond and York River,
the Richmond and Petersburg, Chesapeake
aud Ohio, and the latest acquisition, the
Richmond and Allegheny, have tended TO
the concentration OF great diversity OF
freight transportation, which will certainly
place Richmond upon footing OF cheap
freights. and from all quarters. The Canal
Packet Line, the James River Steamboat
Company, The Powhatan Steamboat Line for
Baltimore, the Philadelphia Steamship Line,
and the Old Dominion Steamship Line for
New York, are the principal water cOmmu-
nicatoDs. A daily line for Norfolk AMI
Baltimore, every alternate day for New
York, tri-weekly for Pbiadelphia, would
'eem to make water communications availa-
bic either for passage or freight, so as TO
make transportation q matter Of interest
aud TO give them every advantage OF prompt
shipment. and at low rates.
a scheme is on loot 10 make
UNION RAILROAD DEPOT,
which, we think, will be an absolute neces.
sity the early future. III this can be done
near the present docks it will offer adyan-
tages TO shippers for loading in Richmond,
and make transfer much less costly from
one road or water-lne TO the other.
The river is navigabIe Tor vessels draw
ing 1i9 feet of water at any state OF the
tide. Matters are now progressing to make
the river navigable for steamers drawing
"a feet of water. The Chesapeake and Ohio
road is doing an immense business in coal,
and there is no reason why, when the Rich
mond and Allegheny road becomes deyel-
oped, the immense coal, hon, slate, marble,
and granite deposits will not be sent
out to tue world as cargOeS. The business
OF Richmond is concentrating in Just the
place where this union railroad delet
should be.
A cotton exchange is Just now being
OF ened. and we have no doubt that good
| business will soon be done in shipping COT
ton direct by Richmond, not only for the
northern ports, but for Europe as well.
There is no reason why this cannot be done.
The business interests OF Richmond are
varied, tobacco being Of course one OF the
most important. There are now nearly
eighty tobacco factories in the city, employ
ing over 5000 men, women. and children,
while in the smaller places OF manufacture
some 1900 to 1000 more are employed. In
iron-works, four-mills, and other business
interests. the number Of employees rises TO
upwards OF 10000, which certainly gives
an opportunity TO the poorer people for
earning their living at least with comfort.
IMPROVEMENTS
are being made to very great extent.
Buildings, stores, and houses are being
erected, and we learned while there that
houses are scarce in The city, and inquiries
are very much more frequent than any time
since the war. Real estate agents are in
quiring much more for houses than for
tenants. The building is extending out
eide the limits of the old city, and finer
class Of private residences is being erected.
The building OF grain elevator is now be-
ing agitated. Over two thirds OF the capi-
tai was subscribed at the time OF our visit,
and very little doubt remains that the total
amount will lie subscribed and the elevator
put under contract during the present fall.
The city authorities have recently con-
structed new reservoir, and are now put
ting down new pumping station so as to
treble the present water-suppiy OF the city.
The streets are being graded, fills made be-
tween the different hills, and great deal OF
engineering work is going forward which
will, as it progresses, improve the drainage
OF the city as well as It's general appearance.
Richmond offers
SPLENDID OPPORTUNITY
to some go.abead man to build q strictly
first-class hotel, which the city needs, and
there Is not a particle OF doubt that such
an establishment would from the first, at
reasonable rates, be paying institution.
SO much travel is now going southward du-
ring our cold months, and Richmond offers
so many inducements 10 pleasure-seekers to
stop over for few days or weeks and en-
Joy the scenery and the hospitality and So
ciality OF its people, that this want Is pecu-
liarly aud keeply felt. Cotton-manufac.
lurers must sooner or later recognize the
value OF its water-power, as we'll as other
manufacturers or users OF power. Paper
mills are already established aud are doing
a good business. Canning-factorios are not
an inconsiderable item, while flour-mills,
iron-works, woodenware manufactures,
and many other interests which require
power, are established here and progress
ing favorably.
The State Capitol is situated In Richmond
upon an elevation which oYerlooks the
river, near which and connected with the
grounds Is the Governors residence. The
Capitol-grounds are well shaded aud cared
for, aud we were quite amused at watching
some
GRAY SQUIRRELS
running about. The little fellows were so
tame that they came up TO US for some nuts,
receiving which they scampered away again.
Washington monument is situated upon
the Capitol-gr0unds, and is one OF the
finest works OF artin this or any other coun-
try. The cornerstone OF this monument
was laid on the 22d OF February, 1850. The
closing pieces were received and put in
place in 1868, and the total cost was over q
quarter OF Q million dollars. Within the
grounds Is statue Of General Stonewall
Jackson in bronze.
Among other things which we must not
omit ssaa hour 81 eat In the studio Of Ed
ward V. Valentine. Mr.. Valentine isa ma