Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-22
1hc rn,on Depos.

The future Of our city depends very
greatly on the policy and action OF our
present Council. We may be thankful
that il is made up Of young AZ well as
old blood. And we trust that the vigor
and courage of youth. as well AZ the
prudence of age. will characterize 1t,
and that of both broad. mature, and
manly wisdom and steady progress may
be the general result.
The tide in our affairs is full. Our
opportunities are many. Shall boldness
make our fortune, or weak, narrow,
and timid decrepitude prove ms un-
worthy Of the offers that the times have
made us.
We may be thankful that gentle
man whose large experience in railroad
business and knowledge OF its require
ments. added TO his approved integrity
and devotion to his native city, has set
before us the project of Union
depot. We may safely adopt his recon-
mendations.
The peculiar situation Of Byrd island
marks it as the place IN all our city Tor
Union depot; and the rldlcule that
has been brought upon our metropolis
by the present .wretched accommoda-
tions a,,d our own modification make It
certain that We must have Union depot
that shall help business and be credit
TO us.
The Union depot is really a public
necessity, and almost as necessary TO
the facilitating and to the comfort and
advantage OF our own people and the
general travelling public who visit us as
any institution or establishment IN the
place. And if the railroad companies
were not willing to build it. the city OF
Richmond would act wisely in building
it. Who questions that the 100000
donated for the Churh-Hill tunnel
would have been better spent on a
grand Union depot
But nov the railroad companies are
ready with their money 10 give Us what
our comfort and self-respect and ad
yancing interests and connections de
mand. They will give US in advantages
greatly more than they ask. The only
question is, Can We dispense with the
through use of Byrd street between Sew
enth and Eighth? Plainly Byrd street
for that distance could not be more profit
ably devoted. The through use of II Is
incOnsiderablc, and almost wholly in
connection with the railroads there CEN
treing. Cary, Canal. and Arch streets
supply all the requirements Of through
transportation. The institutions located
on the island all favor the appropria-
tiOn of the short space to the
railroads. The establishment of the
depot on the location intended
will help all the property on Byrd
island. Its business will encourage
and quicken business around It, and
lead 20 the building of>,rcspectable
houses. both stores and dwellings. and
will really improve the present
population and bring new people
to the island. 1t will be in
decd centre of improvement; and
so far from heSitating to appropriate
Byrd street TO so great an enterprise.
our Council might even 20 farther and
aid it with means and in doing so they
Will but follow the old policy illustrated
in the privileges. helps, and encourage
mcutS extended to the Richmond. Fred
ericksbure and Potomac, the CheSa-
peake and Ohio, aud the Richmond and
Allegheny railroads.
Moreover, they will but follow the
bold and >clf-Sacrllicing policy that ha,
helped to make the city of Baltimore
and the great city of New York, the
last of which obstructed the thorough
fare Of at least four great avenues II
establishing the Grand Central depot.
I'm behalf of the dear city whose adj
vance we all do 80 earnestly desire. | dc
trust that the Council will not for mo-
ment hesitate not only to make the
small sacrifice that is asked, but will in
every way facilitate the establishment
that is now within our reach. Woe be
to them if they lose Us what everybody
rants-a great mon depot.
Truly yours, j. J.. {.