National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-13
numn1Nas mi v1Ra1N1A.
More Than 100000 therefor to Be
ApproprIated by Congress.

Three bills are pending before the Senate
proposing an aggregate appropriation Of
$4,000 to be expended In Virginia as
follows: $250,0 for erection Of building
at Norfolk for the accommodation OF the
United States courts and postoflice; $4,000
for enlarglng and improving the public
building at Petersburg, where the accom-
modations for the business OF the postoillce
are poor and generally inadequate, the same
building being used as custom house and
by internal revenue offices; $4,000 to pro-
vide suitable building at Fortress Monroe
for the accommodation OF the postofilce, In
spector Of customs, and other government
offices. In support OF the recommendations
tee on public buildings and grounds states
some very interesting facts and reasons.
Relative to the proposed building at Nor
folk, the committee says:
Including envrons, the present population
is 1880. In commercial point of view Nor
folk, Brambleton, Atlantic City, and Berkeley
are practically one city
Norfolk, the second city OF tho state, Is stu
ated on the Elizabeth river, twenty miles from
the sea, and has tho finest harbor on the At
II ranks third among the cotton ports of the
Union and is In the ffont rank Of cotton
markets Receipts for the year 1898 were
6i5,4l8 bales shipments for the same yea
5b2,S06 bales. The direct exports for the year
1884, 50 were 205,SH bales, valued at 81, 2I0 S35.
To this may DO added 29s,4Ol tons Of coal TO
coastwise and foreign ports.
Norfolk is practically the terminus of five
great lines of railway. The Norfolk and West.
70 west, BY its connections opening the way to
the more southern states, the Seaboard and
Roanoke, the Norfolk southern, Chesapeake
and Ohio, and the New York, Philadelphia and
Two canals, the Abemarle AM the Dismal
swamp also contribute to the carrying trade
and commerce of the city.
From It's port regularly arrive and depart
soventy.one steamships and steamboats,, repre-
senting sixteen steam-lines, besides which,
more than 1000 sea-going sail vessels, not IN
GLIDING bay and river craft, oyster and truck
bonts.
Here also arc several powerful cotton com.
presses, afiording great facilities for lading tho
staple, and giving employment to hundredsof
It's manufacturing business is extensive,
and II Is the seat OF cotton, Hour, lumber, aud
fertilizer mills, foundries, car and locomotive
works.
Al Norfolk is located the United States navy
| yard, the most important on the coast; naval
| and marine hospitals.
The judicial district in which Norfolk Is 10.
| Gated COMPRISES flly-one counties, and the
| population in 1880 was 751,66S. The admir-
| atty business of this court Is important aud
| increasing, and imposes constant attention
| and service upon the court.
Regarding Petersburg the committee
says
Petersburg is the third city of the state, is
| situated at the head of the Appomattox river.
| The main lines OF railroad east and west aud
| north and south cross here. II Is the seat OF q
| large manufacturing business, comprising to-.
| bacco factories, cotton, and -four mills, and
| numerous minor industries, employing varied
| and valuable machinery. II also furnishes
| nearly 80 per cent. of the export manufactured
! tobacco trade Of the nation.
In favor OF the appropriation for "suit-
able accommodations for government Of
fees at Fortress Monroe 1t is said:
Besides the important military post here
| there is q large and increasing production
| which finds shipment In this busy place, aud
| the famous Hygeia House, which accommo.
dates over 1000 visitors, Is full to overlooking
| for nine months I'm the yenr