The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-22
n Suggestion for Richmond.
10 the Editor Of fbp DjSDqfch.

am nOta citizen OF Richmond. but an
a Nirginian, and, aS such, feel a deep interest
in the welfare oimy native State. Desiring ~
do the greatest prosperity for Richmond.
will you permit me TO call the attention Of
the businessmen Of your city TO subject
which lear ha, not received the con>dc-
ration il demands: | alluGc to thcrmning
Of line OF steamers direct to Florida.
Having spent three winters in that state, |
| am enabled 10 form an idea OF the large and
Increasing amount Of exports from and im-
ports TO that country.
| 1t Is well known among commercial men
that lines OF transportation, whether by
rail or vessel, in which transfers have t. Ic
made, cannot compete with those which
are termed Through lines At present
New York, Boston. and Philadelphia mo-
nopolizc the whole trade - southern Gcor-
gia and Florida, and simply because they
are running direct lines Of steamers to the
southern ports.
| Ii is difficult 10 realize the extensive trade
between Florida and the North. The fruit
and ycgctablc-tradc Of themselves make uI
Il very important item i'm the commerce OF
the country. II is well known that the
quicker the transit OF these articles from
Florida 10 market the better it is Tor the
dealer and ihc shipper. Vegetables and
fruits being pcri>hahlc, delays caused by
rc>hpping and failures 10 connect at re-
shipping points not only diminish Their
value when they reach market. but il the
cause Of loss 10y decay. With this Tact be-
fore Us il is easy TO see that Richmond can
not compete with citic, which have direct
and uubroken lines OF transportation TO the
South.
Another point worthy Of consideration
is that by direct communication the
wholesale merchants Of Richmond would
be enabled to sell their goods 10 the retail
dealers down >Outh.' l. is claimed fOI
Richmond that her grocery merchant
oicr their good, at a. low prices H. an!
others. Ii TIN, be true and Co MOI ore.
ton il for a momenO, by having dire
line Of transportation south they would b'
enabled to extend their list OF customers
90 THAI section.
il seems go me that Richmond might a.
well sell goods 20 iho merchants OF fIord;
las New York and Boston merchants.
Another consideration: II the fruits ant
vegetables Of Florida could be thrown into
1.-THE Richmond market, while they are fresh
il would at once attract a large demand io
lthcm from the interior OF Virginia, Nortl
Carolina. and other sections along the linz
OF her railroads, and indirectly open M
other branches of trade between Llchmon'
and the sections named.
As REGARDS distance and time, Rlchmon'
has greatly the advantage over the NOR
northern cities. Thus the expense O
transportation would be less than 70 Bo'
ton. New York, or Philadelphia. pre-
sumo the trip could be easily made irol
Richmond to Fcmandina and Jack,onl'Il
i'm five days or perhaps less. Nav l-"'oI
however. can furnish accurate ihlorna'io
on this point. ..
l have not alluded to the matter OF carry
ing passengers. The arguments adducc
D in favor oi shipping article, OF trade WI
= amply with equal force TO the carrying
pa>scngcrS. .,,.
to attract the attention Of your pCColdc
mi, ~uhicct. II viii require but litic pan
:. and trouble to obtain facts which VIII su
tain an | have said. ,c ~
Very respectfully, H. l. w