Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-25
WEDNESDAY. MARCH o, 1891
Great Railroad system.

The Norfolk and Western Company af-
fords q shining example Of how q railroad
may help itself by promoting the indus
trial development of the country through
which ii passes.
IL IL had been content to subsist upon
the mere patronage which came 70 1t with
the purchase OF the franchises OF the At
lantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad-of
which IL is the successor-it would have
doomed itself 10 a scant livelihood and its
owners 10 poor returns. But from the be-
ginning its policy has been progressive.
il has been the leader in nearly all Of the
great enterprises which have proved TO
the world that the vast wealth long be-
lieved TO be hidden along and about our
mountain ranges was something more than
dream.
IL has induced thousands Of people from
other States aud other countries to turn
their eyes towards Virginia. 1t has not
merely met enterprise with enterprise, but
in the great majority of instances through
friends and supporters has inaugurated
and established them.
In q land as rich as ours such O policy
could have but one result. With such
stimulating influence exerted over almost
half the State il is no wonder that we see
a new Virginia in the territory OF the
Norfolk and Western system-a new Viz
ginia. with all the hearty. hospitable, and
manly characteristics of the old time, and
all the hopefulness. energy, and organiza-
ton OF the now.
This activity has invited newcomers to
tho State and made it the interest OF resi-
dents 10 remain rather than venture their
fortunes in distant homes. This has given
70 the company the popular title Of town.
builder" This has made it blessing to us
and valuable property to it's owners.
The Norfolk and Westerns first step was
10 put its road and equipment In frst-rato
order. and now, no matter where You take
one Of its trains. you are charmed with the
comfort and elegance of the cars, the
ciyility of the officials, and the smoothness
and celebrity with which you move over the
track and leave mile-posts behind you.
Neat stations and beautiful hotels are
passed on every hand and the wayfarer
who once complained that there was
nowhere about decent place to stop"
now fuds himself passing inns of exquisite |
architecture, standing in the midst of |
lawns and groves or on busy streets, fur |
nished with all the elegance that the age !
demands, and presenting bills of fare |
which tempt the dsintiest appetite. 1t is |
the good fortune of the road, or system Of
roads rather, TO lie in picturesque coun-
try, embracing exquisite views Of bays, and |
rivers, low-lands and uplands, and noun
tains and valleys, and to have on one of its |
lines three Of the great natural wonders of |
the United States-the Natural Bridge, the |
Grottoes, and the Luray Caverns.
Having gotten its road properly ordered, |
the next move Of the company was to en- |
courage the homo people and TO attract |
strangers. The results show how we'll
directed were their efforts. The first thrill |
Of new industrial life that this State re-
ceived came from the regions on the line |
Of the Norfolk and Western; there its |
genesis was and there the new-found pros |
perity has been made permanent by the |
opening of ore and coal-beds, the build |
ing Of furnaces and factories and the as
sembling of large communities Of desirable
wago-workers. As long as the road re-
mains TO carry these products to the mar
kets waiting TO receive them the good |
done Virginia and West Virginia will be |
patent to the dullest observer. Facts |
speak with more emphasis than |
the most eloquent language when we |
are authoritatively told that the last |
years industrial improvements ON the Nor
folk and Western railroad lines were n |
blast-furnacos, rollinR-mills, 6s foundries
and machine-works. S. wood. working es-
Establishments. 1bl other manufacturing |
plants. 49 iron-mines, 0 coal-mines, 1850
coke-ovens, IS hotels, besides street rail-
ways. electric-plants, water and gas-works.
schools, etc. The works in contemplation.
some of which will probably be begun this
year. almost equal in number those just
completed
For convenience We have spoken Of the
Norfolk and Western as one company and /
ono line. when in fact several are combined |
in one, II never adopted the policy of
leasing roads. 1t always bought or built. |
II deserves the title Of road-builder" as
we'll as of "town-bulder." and ell the
States bounding Virginia. and many on
and beyond the Dino river are now feeling
or soon will begin TO feel the quickening
influence that accompanies its entrance
into community.
To-day much of our space is devoted TO
an exhibit of the history and achievements
Of the Norfolk and Western, and of the in
dustrial development in that large section
which is its tributary territory.
II lisa grand showing for the old Com
monwealth; a brilliant tribute to the wis
dom and enterprise of the Norfolk and
Westerns owners and managers. We can
AFFORD 20 wish 1t well when our State is q
sharer in all its prosperity.