The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-09
THE FREE BRIDGE.
ITS VALUE Is A THOROTCHFARE BETWEEN
RICHMOND And MANCHESTER.
Petition from Manchester that the
Bridge be Lighted and its Rich.
mond Approaches Improved.

The following paper is OF interest TO the
people OF Richmond and Manchester both.
and will be presented TO our Council at its
next meeting:
To the Honorable the President and Mem
bers Of the Common Council Of the City
Of Richmond:
Gentlemen.-I desire 10 invite your at
tention TO a matter which | hope may have
your prompt and favorable consideration.
As this communication is in the nature Of
petition a few. preliminary statements
may not be out OF place before setting out
it, prayer.
When the Free bridge was built II was
claimed that 1t would be mutually advan-
tageous TO both Richmond and Manchester.
Events have demonstrated that the bene-
fits to both places have exceeded the most
reasonable hopes OF its projectors.
Manchester has grown from an unim-
portant village TO a place Of considerable
size. and this large increase in its popuh-
ton has not been at the expense OF Rich
mond. but, in point Of fact, the new set
tiers there are almost entirely from a dis
tance-in many instances from beyond
the limits Of the State. The present census
gives Manchester and Chesterfield popu-
lation Of $4,000 inhabitants. This large
customer has been brought to the very
door OF your city.
In the construction OF the bridge Man.
chester paid one bali the cost, and our lit
tie city has caused TO be paved with granite
blocks the street extending from the south
end Of the bridge to Hull street-a dis
tance OF about quarter OF mile. On the
other hand, the street approach on the
Richmond side Of the river ls in a most
neglected and filthy condition, without
pavement, and with only one miserable
and diapidated sidewalk. In very dry or
very wet weather this place is almost in
sufferable.
The bridge itself has never had city
policeman assigned to it, and has been
always without lights. although in law
within the police jurisdiction OF your cor
poraton. During the present year the
bridge across the basin has been built, so
that if this thOrOughiare was improved ii
might soon become one OF the most i'm
portant business-ayenues Of your city. A
| large number OF your citizens find employ
ment in the Manchester mills and work
shops, and a large number Of our people
work in your manufactures. Among these,
| in both instances, are many females-Yery
respectable girls-who seek by their honest
| labor and handicruft to earn a support,
and they have to pass and repass, often at
late hours, over this unpOliced and un-
| lighted gap between the two cities. And
now that the attention OF your honorable
! body has been directed TO this subject, it
remains to be seen what will be your dis
position in the premises.
In conclusion. / will add that recent
events have demonstrated that the people
Of Manchester and Chesterfield are over
whelmingly identified with your people in
their political instincts, and they have cast
their destinies with yours. They desire
and the trade OF twenty-five thousand peo-
pie is not TO be despised-to contribute all
they can to build up the capital OF their
State.
hope that this petition may be referred
to the proper Committees on Police, Light.
aud Streets. The miserable obscure lane
now leading TO the Free bridge may he
converted into presentable highway free
from objections and distractions, and
when our Southside people come to your
beautiful city, whether to work, TO trade,
or for pleasure. they may have cOnye-
nient, safe, and clean way OF reaching 1t.
beg leave TO add that have mentioned
this matter 10 some OF your most promi-
nent merchants and manufacturers, and
they have cordially approved Of the sug-
gestiOnS herein made.
am aware that It is too late to expect
any sums 10 be now expended out OF the
already depleted appropriations for this
year, but hope that such relief a. needs but
small OUTLAWS be now ordered, and in the
next appropriations this subject may have
that consideration which you will doubtless
determine il deserves when YOU have the
time and opportunity to examine thor
oughly into it.
| have the honor to subscribe myself.
very respectfully. JOHN +. TAYLOR,
Mayor Of Manchester.
Dncnnhnr ISL