The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-03
THE GREAT PORT or THE SOUTH.

II commerce is the mother of prosperity,
advantages for making trade effective,
which have been bestowed by nature in
her most nunifcent mood. must count
enormously In the deadly competition be-
tween commercial rivals. To us In the
South. who for generations were content
70 have our own manufacturing and trad
ing done by others--to whom, indeed. the
very name Of trade was an offence. and
who associated the idea of manufacturing
with wooden nutmegs and paper-soled
shoes. but who in these latter days have
reused themselves like an unshorn Samp-
son from his sleep. dare TO shoulder the
heaviest tasks Of manufacture and of
commerce. II Is encouraging TO know that
nature. not only in field, In forest and
IN mine has lavished her best gifts upon
us. but that on our shores she has placed
the noblest harbor on the continent, as
IT were to invite the ships and navies of
the world to easiest and safest anchor
age. 1t is singular that although Hampton
Roads was the first port entered by our
English ancestors. and its great merits at
once recognized, 1t should until recently
have remained comparatively unused,
while Baltimore Philadelphia. New York.
and Boston have forged ahead and be-
come great and prosperous cities because
Of their marine advantages.
There have been numerous reasons for
this neglect, but there are none now.
However deep the water and safe the
harbor, ships DO not put out to sea mere
iy to anchor in safe place. and there
was nothing else In Hampton Roads 70
offer them.
But since a city has been founded where
once there was but sandy point and
enormous structures raised where only
the land crab was wont to dig his holes
and the terminus OF one Of the grandest
railway systems In the world has been
made where lately only an ox-cart creak-
ed YEARLY through the heavy sand. men
have begun to learn and know that New
port News Is a port city whose great
ness and Importance II 10 difficult 10 over
estimate.
Commodore Maury. II Is said declared
that so natural was Il for ships 10 come
20 Hampton Roads that II bottles were
thrown into the sea up or down the
coast a majority Of them would. from
But although since the discovery of
Virginia nature has been standing on
her shores at Newport News with open
arms to attract the ships Of the earth.
for 275 years the invitation was by our
selves ignored. 1t was ony in 1852 that
Newport News was opened as a port for
business. Her progrss IS since then has
been most remarkable, and her enormous
piers have at times been taxed TO their
utmost capacity. For four years past
the value of exports FIR n this place.
which lately had none va az follows:
lsso. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS s.3S3S23
ISL, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, 1f.54S, f6i
iSs ''''''...'''.''.......... ll,06,4N
1875. '''...'.............,...... u S560OO
The great increase of 1871 over 1890
was due TO the extraordinary exporta-
tion OF grain in that year TO supplement
the very short European crops
The grain elevator al Newport News
has a capacity Of 10000 bushels. while
the docks and piers have been built on
the largest scale. But the secret OF this
rapid development OF business is rot so
much the elevator. docks. AID piers, as
the powerful railroad syzt m, which
brings the treasures OF lie mine and
helds o. the West TO the Afa,uc.
II any ordinary railroad civil erg ne r
had been told thirty years ago that a
line OF road would be constructed from
Chicago TO Newport News. across the
Allegheny. and through the Blue Ridge
mountains. and that no grade over thirty
feet to the mile would be passed. he would
have said II was absurd and practically
impossible. Yet such a road has been
built. and fhe only grade over thirty
feet 10. strange 10 say. below Richmond.
where one would suppose the country
was almost dead level. ana II may be
Nat this IL only temporary grade.