Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-11-02
Alexandria.

There ia no city in the Union whose pros-
perity is of more importance TO the people
of Loudoun than Alexandria II is 9 direct
market for ell our produce; and the excel
lent harbor, it's adjacency to The Chesapeake
Bay, and its siluation on the line of ex
change between the manufacturing States
of the North and agricultural States of the
South give it commanding situation as a
market; and still, in spite of these facts,
through it's proximity 10 the seat of govern
ment-not necessarily disadvantage ge-the
bad management of The Chesapeake and
Ohio canal, and the discrimination of rail-
roads it has not kept abreast with the
growth of the country.
In recent conversation with one of the
most prominent far mers OF this county, it was
suggested that ii would ne good plan for q
conference to held between the farmers of
Loudoun and the business men of Alexan-
dria, with view to the establishment OF q
large slaughter. house at that point. This is
by 90 means an impracticable measure.
Let the farmers of this county appoint an
executive committee to confer with the
Alexandria Board of Trade, and something
might be done to establish slaughter house
for our cattle and our beef shipped abroad
from that point. This and other industries,
especially beneficial to our farmers, might
be placed on ssfe and paying basis.
Certainly something should be done In the
interest OF our markets and to us there
seems no better method than for us to CO.
operate with the people oil Alexapdria. 1t
is patent to the most casual observer that
Alexandria is the point for the consignment
of all our produce We want market there,
where we Can have a cheap water transpor
tation to New York, Boston and European
ports. which would enable us to compete
with the low freights on the Western rail.
roads, This is the salient point of the ad-
vantage for it ia entirely out of the ques-
ton to undertake to supply these places
with our produce while the West, with her
great resources and immense railroad lines.
is shipping at such low rates. Nothing but
water transportation will offset the peculiar
advantages enjoyed By the West. A joint
stock company could be organized with suf-
ficient capital to promote the industries of
Alexandra to our advantage and to the ad.
vantage of all her people but this can only
be accomplished through organization and
money.
Another industry at that point would
primarily benefit the people of Loudoup,
aud of Fairfax and Alexandria counties as
well, and that is a large canning establish
ment.
There is no reason why this city, with all
the resources of Northern Virginia at her
door and the great natural highway before
her, should not, In the next decade, double
its business. One step forward, and the i'm
petus of business alone will spreed her in
,ercourse with the world.
There is still another advantage that
would be derived from an increase of ship.
ping interests at that point-the vessels
rying our produce abroad would return
laden, and we would have an advantage Of
return freight rates; but go long as the
great railroads Of the country make and de
ssroy markets Ia their own interests, and the
people fail to take advantage of natures
highway, just GO long will our markets be
played by railroad kings and combinations,
and our produce tremble in the balance of
the millionaire stockholder. Railroads
while great impetus to the growth and
prosperity of the country, are not run in the
interest of the producer, except so far as
that interest adds to the dividend of the
stockholders.
Here We fDd Alexandria, market at our
door, with great river channel, bay, and
ocean at her service. sitting on an immense
line of exchange, independent of the will of
railroad kings; but that independence must
be maintained or railroads will discriminate
to their advantage.
1t is true that national legislation has i'm.
peded her growth; but not more 30 than
other cities not situated in manufacturing
sections But the farmers of this county
cannot afford to wait on national legislation.
They must see and act for themselves or pay
the penalty. 10 this great day of the ad
minis,ration of the almighty dollar every
industry has been fighting its own battle,
and the honest old farmer. who, thinking be
was attending to bis own business by watch
ing his farm alone, has found at last that
other interests have been taking the advan-
tage OF him +; and as a consequence every
profession and calling in the agricultural
communities has suffered.
But the farmers have awakened to their
rights and interests, and We believe there is
change coming in the prosperity OF the 10.
;urad olasses ond lat IL come -LoudOun En-.