The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-04-28

OF tue mlnuie ages mas NOT pcPn so
much non-intercourse as the attention OF
municipalities to sanitary regulations. in
woke your attention TO these memorable epi.
denies, by which so large number OF The
people Of the world have been hurried to
untimeIy graves, because they are repete
with instructions to the Board OF Aldermen,
tue guardians OF the health of their con-
siituents. As representative OF Jefferson
| Ward, | should be recreant TO those who
have entrusted their lives and property to
my care were | silent with regard TO this
mOmentous subject. The neglected condi-
tion or Shockoe creek has, | doubt not,
been the cause Of death to many OF our citi.
zens, both among those who reside near
the focus Of eXhalation and also to those
who live IN more distant localities. could
adduce individual instances OF persons who
have lost their lives from residence in this
unhealthy locality. But although there are
many who have died from miasma, was there
only one whose death could, without doubt,
be attributed TO this unhealthy spot would
deem 1t my imperative duty 10 appropriate
money 10 arch and cuIyert the creek, and
thus remove the cause Of disease. should
an open and avOwed enemy invade the city
or an insurrection should occur. we could
not hesitate TO appropriate money TO repcl
The Zoe. 1t Is more incumbent on lis to do
50 when secret assassin like malaria and
coniagon enters our city by stealth and
Stays lndiscriminately all with whom he
comes in contact. We are custodians not
only NJ the finances, but al.o'oi the health
OF our constituents, and that representative
l. derclict in duty il he fails to do his best
TO remove all causes OF disease. SO much
for the sanitary view OF the case. 90 one
step farther, and call attention 10 the great
injury the property Of taxpayers sustain
In the floods to which this part oi the city
Is exposed. These inundltiOn> act as en-
bargoe> on trade, drive away our merchants,
and force them 10 abandon property which
Otherwise would De valuable and proGuc-
tive. One, two, three, or more nundliiOn-
are now in year the normal condition OF
this little stream. The merchants aud in
babi'anis generally who reside in this neigh
b0rbOOd say the evil is remediable, ana
should he suppressed, and they cry out for
relief from their representatives. The pcti-
ton i reasonable one, and Il one Of their
representatives | urgently call Oh you to
refer the subject to the Finance Committee,
with instruction TO devise the means and
suggest the financial plan by which 30 much
taxable properly may be made available,
and, above all, by which the lives Il our
citizens may be prot,c'cd. Rely upon il, it
j. impossible for JET, rson, Jackson, and
/ Marshall Wards to continue important fac
tors in the problem OF plying the take. un-
les YOU lend an ear TO the reasonable COM
p!aint regarding the condition OF SbOckOc
creek. But Grant this bcneiicent measure,
remove this ulcer from the corporation, let
this unhealthy rayue be archcd and made 4
safe location for trade and health, and | hl-
zard the prediction that where there is G0W
a desert and swamp a teemin9 and enter
prising population will crowd our marts
and make our fOrgcs, furnaces, factories,
der0'S, and wbaIveS scenes OF industry and
profitable labor. The city 0f London pre-
,ents the example OF a similar condition OF
affairs. In remote times that city consisted
Of London proper, Southwark, and Exeter.
London and Southwark plOspered and were
the seats OF Opuence and thrift. Exeter,
on the contrary, was mere marsh, unn-
blbitabie, and pe,tilential centre Of dis
else. By prudent legislation money was
appropriated, ravines and marshes Glled,
streets constructed and paved. until
| Exeter has become the most yalua.
bic part OF the city, crowded with
residences, cOmmercial-bouscs, and Of
| fees Of the crown. A. in the phy>i-
cal system. the general health clnnot be
preserved ii there be an eXhau,liug ulcer
or cancer on an important member OF The
body, 50 A. long aS thi. foul spot and chaSm
! in SbOckOe creek continues 30 long viii 1t
be drain on the general health and welfare
Of the city.
urge yOu, then. as a matter q policy, 10
remove this barrier TO the prosperity OF TN,
part Of the city. Fill up this cbasm and
arch it over, and the most felic,Ous results
will be achieved. A rich harvest will result
to the city in the Increased value OF p,o-
perry. and, as the result. the ability to bear
increased taxation will add much to The in-
)mc OF the city.