Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-05
Church-Hill Avenue

To ne Editor OF the Dispdca'
Dear sir.-I notice that the curoing ana
grading on Church. Hill avenue y gonnE
forward, and right here. before tnis wI, as
has proceeded farther. WISH 20 Myii ,, II 10
our City Council in their wisdom wiz ue,
c;da to very much widen and enlarge this
evenne thus making it one OF the most
beautiful and attractive drives IN the CITY,
bes;des being a great highway for franc
between the two portions OF tne ciey.
There are comparatively few houses
alone the avenue at present, ana 10 aou
forty feet to its width would oe matte.
of a few thousand dollars. would ~ nor
be wise to do this no'c. planting TOW VI
trees right along the centre Oh inc ho,h s;as
walks. Thus making FIVE rows OF trees,
with an avenue 100 feet wider besidess
beinc beautiful, l believe that u wouluu
donhie and treble the money value OF All
the property living within three 10 n'e
sonares of the avenue. II the City Council
will not undertake the expense, the pro,
perty-holders in that. part OF the city hau
better by all means rise up anu shouiuel !"
Themselves. BY purchasing the TRAN
gIesr and identifying them this avenue
would afford jog and satisfaction TO the
residents as well as to visitors throughout
all coming ages. ;.l
able CITY Engineer. and he very heartily
commends the plan OF widening TINS ave-
nue.. but says the difficulty. that confronts
hun on the very threshold IS the iack ot
means. TO my mind the question -, oan
fine citv afford 10 let this opportunity pass
by 10 improve this magnificent thorough
fareY Napoleon Bonaparte undoubtedly
caused much needless bloodshed and SUI
ferinp throughout France; but one OF the
tbings he did that will stand to his i'm
perishable honor was the widening OF tho
streets in Paris, in many instances tearing
down whole blocks OF weu-oult houses
in order to dc. it. Many OF the wise
heads of bis, day no DOUBT
looked upon such movement as q
calamity and yet az you go about through
the city of Paris now, her citizens point
with pride to the magnificent streets and
beautiful bouleyards. laid out at cost OF
untold millions by the great Napoleon; ana
vet. as vast as that expense was, IL mas
proved in MANY, many ways Dressing 20
Paris and to France, which now can truly
boast of being the most beautiful city IN
the world. A soiourn in that city not only
increased nv admiration for Napoleon. but
for the French people,, who by their genius
and industry stand out boldly as one OF the
LEADING nations in the world. The grasp
ing. money making spirit displayed by
tho average American has become proven
bal. and we see III Strongly tlDphoSiHVu
in almost our every movement; and yet
there is spirit growing and manitesting
itself in American life and culture when
plainly shows that money alone does not
supply all the wants Of man. There Is
constantly stronger yearning for the
beautiful in nature and art which is not
in fact cannot be--lost sight Of In all our
manufacturing industries, other things
being equal, the beautifully and artisti-
cally-made products of every description
and kind always take the prize, and always
sell in preference to the articles that may
be made equally asgood yet more unsiglhtly.
When once this avenue is built up hun
bred of thousands of dollars would be re-
ouired to make the change that could now
be made for a few thousand dollars. and at
the same time add greatly to the appear;
ance and TO the material prosperity OF all
of that part if not the whole OF our beloved
city.
fsincerely trust you newspaper people
will take up this matter and not let the IN
terest flag until Church-Hill avenue II
widened as it ought TO be, and this grand
move forward would lead to Others equally
as important which are constantly coming
up for consideration. Very respectfully,
b. i. JOHNSON.
Richmond, Va. January 8. 1890.