The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-09-20
fror the Dispatch.l
60 vv0rk for Richmond.

nroeress matter OF unusual merit for
Richmond 10 consider. Indeed, II Is dllii-
cult TO conceive OF any interest more VITAL
TO our trade and commerce, since we claim
that the head OF tidc-water navigation oil
James river is the natural and most Geo.
nomical point for transhipment OF the vast
productions that are finding their way 10
ocean lines through this State and from IL
by way OF Richmond. As II Is. Rockets is
apicture of neglect and thriftlessness, i'm
messing the observer with sense OF the
reckless desertion Of Richmond's shipping
interest, though once the theatre OF active
scenes OF business.
There the late esteemed David Currie and
his associates, so practical and enterprsing,
had laid the foundations OF Richmond's
future wealth In the ships that came home
then laden with returns OF successful
adventure, soon TO depart on successive
VOYAGES over the seas; and though the war
blasted our prospects OF commerce. surely
IL should only be but temporary disaster
since the promise which then inspired us Is
not less assuring now that peace has re-
turned.
We are not the advocate OF works for
looks, merely TO compare favorably TO the
eve with those OF other cities. No, no;
but, on the contrary, claim to hold TO the
doctrine of practical economy. ana nothing
else. in such matters OF puDnc INTEREST
And SO we admit the whole question turns
upon the ultimate results OF such an en-
terprise: whether there is reasonable pros
pect of its success as great commercial
adventure for Richmond that will bring
trade and profit for the outlay. But it
should be borne in mind that all great
works should ultimately, not immedi-
ately, pay: for the train OF causes that
finally culninate in the greatest econo-
nv OF trade each work is but
a factor OF the whole, and reaches
the summit of its usefulness and profit
when the unity of all is secured. The
very perpetuity OF enterprise depends
upon the aggregation OF interests that tend
only to cohesion; but aided by human skill
and time combine enduringly. The world
was not made in day, and we could not
afford to build ship for one voyage only
nor 4 barn for one years crops, Nor will
wheel run long without all its spokes. II
work is needed for the highest perfection
of trade. then we cannot afford to do with
out ii.
At this day the commerce between New
York and Richmond is very great, and
railroad communication exists (and has eX-
listed for over tbirty-fiye years. Of little
less than 500 miles between them, while
the line between them by water is some
$50 miles. or say 30 per cent. greater by
water than by rail and what are the facts
The water-line takes nearly all the freight,
delivers il in good order, and in satisfactory
time, although the railroad can make three
trlps to the steamers one, and more yet
compared with sail vessels, the distance by
water being so per cent. greater and
the railroad speed being IS per cent. in eX-
cess Of that OF the steamboat line; and yet
the steamers and other craft getthe freight.
This being the case, it is evident thai the
steamboat transportation can excel i'll cheap
ness the railroads, and the city that is so
located as to encourage the concentra-
ton TO its markets and warehouses the
great products Of Il back country
by rail and the transhipment from
its marts and manufactures its merchan-
disc, products, and industries by water
lines and other conveyances to all the
world beside, possesses all it could desire.
Speed must necessarily be compatible with
economy, since it Is not useful beyond
economy and safety. The cost OF things
must be proportional to the benefits they
confer, and in the wisdom OF natural laws
speed is exactly adjusted to economical re-
suits. The winds blow to refresh the
stagnant air. and not to destroy the growth
of the earth, and the flow OF the waters
give them freshness and impart the princi
pie of life to their inhabitants, while inor-
dinate flow would destroy both.
Friction to motion in water is greater
than that of air, where the superficies are
the same, but il is quite likely that the
erresistance to the motion Of a steamship
OF 5000 tons would not be so much greater
than the atmospheric resistance to trains Of
-
superficies OF the trains would be many
times greater than that OF the ship, and
then the rails occasion much greater fric-
ton to motion than water, allowing for the
disprOpOrti0n OF friction surface in favor
Of the track, for the momentum and III
feXibiity are both against the track as
compared TO the water-line, and evidence
Of this is to be found in wear and tear OF
the track and wheels while the exterior OF
the vessels are not perceptibly worn at all.
Transportation, therefore, by water Is not
only cheapest, but is in many respects bes,
and the commercial city that neglects to
place itself in the way OF securing all the
advantages possible to promote the readieSt
use OF ii is losing its opportunity for trade.
Comfort and convenience for trade are
indispensable, and competing with other
marts for it will prove frutless unless our
harbor is greatly improved and modern adj
yantages for shipping bestowed on il.
We have spoken OF its natural adyan-
tages OF position, and we wish TO show that
ii is deserving OF substantial constructions
suited TO the needs Of our present and pros
pective commerce. Ii evidences Of even
tualiy gratifying-yea, Overwhelming
trade for Richmond are not glistening in
the foreground OF the future, we are only
dreaming Of civilization and progress, and
may as well yield to their decisions no
longer, and confess a preference for driblet
adventure and return TO the nursery.
With examples OF success of cities less
favored than Richmond by remarkable
physical development, it Is reasonable to
calculate that her people will not disregard
their true interests in the matter in ques-
ton, and while we are not prepared for
such commercial lunacy, this is no time for
temporizing with issues that are planted in
our path TO success as an industrial and
mercantile community, and should we lei
slip opportunity the future will fix our re.
sponsibility, and self-reproach will be gal
and NORWOOD 10 unhappy recollection.
IL we have money, the wisest use, tn,
best use, we can make Of ii is to invest i
in substantial public improvements ant
real estate and manufactures, that will BE-
safest at all times from political revulsion.
and national complications. The polite,
OF the country, as Mr. Thompson so aptly
said the other day in the Bankers Conyen.
tion, ais highly inflammable, and though
bonds and certificates might remain safe In
their vaults, their values might be wiped
0u' IN day ~; and we are not cOnsoled
oy observing the appeals made in the prints
N.tl Ii