The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-02
THE GROWTH eli URBAN PRO-
PERITT.


One Of the most striking indications
of the enterprise and industrial activity |
Of the towns Of Virginia is to be found
in the number of land improvement
companies that have been chartered by
the Legislature in the course of the
last few years. The number of those
that have this winter been Incorporated
and authorized by legislative enact
ment to proceed TO business, has been
unusually large.
Although the majority Of these COM
panies, as was to have been expected
have been formed to operate in the
towns that are springing up in every
part Of Southwest Yirginia-thc di-
vision Of the State that is being most
rapidly and systematically developed
vet very many have been called into ex-
istence to advance the prosperity Of
towns that are situated in other and
much older sections Of Virginia. There
is not town in the Commonwealth,
with any pretension to population or
accumulated wealth, that has not one
of these improvement companies ac-
lively engaged in pressing upon the at
tention OF all corners the advantages OF
the property which they have to offer for
sale, W hich is only another form Of adver-
tising the advantages of the town itself.
The fact is that the most striking
phenomenon in the contemporary his
tory Of the otate-and it is a phenom-
snon to be noted in every part of the
Union-is the great display of energy
which is to be observed in all the cen
tres Of population at the very time that
svsrv interest OF the rural districts is
lsnruishing and decayipg. There is
not a villaSc on the line of our
RAILWAYS. which does not feel the
hopeful impulse which is exhibited
TO such I striking degree in all Of our
large towns. Go even TO aouthside Vir-
gnia, the portion Of the State which Is
most dependent upon agriculture for its
prosperity, and which is, therefore, now
suffering very severely from the pres
snt depression Of this interest, and we
find in such towns as South Boston,
Chase City and Farmville, a spirit OF IS
much activity abroad as ifthe surround
ing country were in a hourishing,
rather than in declining condition.
What is this due to The prosperity
Of such cities as Richmond, Norfolk
and Roanoke is easily explained, and
being prosperous, it is natural that their
inhabitants should be alert as to the
present and hopeful as TO the future.
But the prosperity of the small towns,
BE "extentos "'ft i iSs etq al In the
charges for the long and shorl haul, but
which, on the contrary are very much
injured by the burden of local rates, is
not so clear IN the basis upon which it
rests, beyond the fact that a mere ag-
gregation Of men is apt to inspire GER
tain amount of energy and activity by
itself
Whatever tire cause for this pros
peritY. it cannot but exercise in the end,
a beneficial influence upon the interests
Of the rural districts in their vicinity.
Either agriculture must improve. or the
smaller towns must decline. Agricul-
ture could hardly sink to a lower point
of depression than it has now reached.
and yet these towns show no sign Of
decay. On the contrary, they are ur-
doubleday improving. This is fact,
from which we cannot but draw favor
able auguries as TO the future condition
Of the country, in spite Of the discour-
agement inspired by the spectacle Of
agricultural depression in New Eng
land, although its towns are growing in
wealth, and therefore increasing in
prosperity.