Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-08
Ths shsrkss-C Creek 11prsssasus.
10 fhs Editor ef the Dispatch:

The improvement Of Shockoc creek
has been for years subject Of anxious
solicitude. The health Of the city 81
large and the prosperity Of the central
and eastern portions is the apology for
again reverting to a subject somewhat
hackneyed. A few statistics bearing
on the subject may here be adduced.
The polls Of Marshall, Jefferson, and
Jackson Wards exceed those Of Mon
roe, Madison, and Clay by 30l--the
former being 1916 and the latter AS.
II is an area Of the city Of increasing
industries and numerous mercantile and
mechanical interests. Witness the num-
ber Of tobacco-factorics. the market
house, the dock. coal-dep6ts, and ice
repositories, gas-works, Seabrook's
warehouse, soap-factory, city parks, the
great engine-house Of Tanner 4 Delaney,
and many stores and residences Of in
dustrious and enterprising citizens. The
assessed value Of the above constitutes
large amount, and contributes a great
deal to the annual revenue Of the city.
Shall such interests be lessened and
paralyzed by neglecting sanitary im-
provements in the section in which they
are located
The improvement Of the creek has
repeatedly been advocated bytthe Pre,
sident Of the Board Of Health as a sub
ject Of vital importance, and it has in
part been endorsed by the Street Com
mittee, with speciicatioas and estimate
of cost. As yet, however, nothing has
been done except the granite wslling
from Franklin to Broad. The evil still
remains. engendering disease, dcprcss-
ing business, and repelling population,
Much responsibility rests upon the
Council for permitting so fatal nui-
sance to continue. The success Of agri-
cultural fairs. the erection of a city
fa1, mechanics institute. school
houses, parks. boulevarls, and other
works of like nature. are Of little mo-
ment when compared to the health and
lives of our fellow-citizens.
The removal of the sources of disease
and the protection of human life are
measures which strike deeper, reach
further, and have wider scope than
any other. II is astonishing that any
one should be opposed to propositions
so benefcent. The improvement of the
creek can be completed by degrees at
moderate cost without burden to the
taxpayers. Shall, then, this eyesore
and focus of disease continue to blast SO
large and important part of the city
when a judicious annual expenditure
will remove it: Must we look on with
unconcern and do nothing. when little
common sense and practical manage
ment would, in a few years, make what
is now desert an opulent part of the
city?
Many examples in history illustrate
this subject. They tell of marshes
drained and of healthy population
and rich agricultural crops made to
take the place of disease and sterile
land. These works required patient
industry and large amount of money.
Compared to them the Improvement of |
creek is of diminutiye proper
tions; but it is to Richmond of com |
mercial Importance, and as health |
of transcendental importance. |
The main object is TO save the lives Of |
the people, and incidentally enhance the
value of property and add to the reye-
nue. of the city.
ShockOe creek drains in a great de-
gree every ward of the city. and re-
ceiyeS the refuge matter and fecal dis
charges of the same. Its channel is
laden with these vegetable and animal
remains, with human excreta and germs
Of disease.
The creek, swollen by slight rains.
Dyeriiows its banks and bears its nox-
GUS contents and deposits them on the
adjacent flats. Under an ardent sun
,Xhalations arise which contaminate the
lir and produce various and formidable
diseases. Only confine the creek with
II its walls and these calamitous effects
will cease, and the abundant supply of
water after rains will convey these seeds
# disease harmlessl y to the river. Sew
raj freshets have occurred since the
ompletion of the walled channel from
rankin to Broad, and the stream which
'efore had submerged the neighboring
ats was confined TO its bed.
In consideration, then, of the COM
nercial and manufacturing interests de-
endent on this Improvement, in view
{ the reclamation OF so much valuable
and, and to prevent the loss Of pro-
erty to individuals and the diminution
{ the revenue of the city, and, above
II. because it is sanitary measure
'hch comes home to the health and
YES of our wives, children, and friends.
ne Council is implored to address it.
elf to the accomplishment of the work
5 one of indispensable Importance and
5 one which should not longer be de-
-