The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-16
NOT A MICAWBER CITY,
YET At NEWPORT NEWS THINGS
ARE ALWAYs TURNING UP.
The Next Thing IL n Direct Line to south
America, and there IL Some Quiet Talk
About More Railroad Lines.

the Chesapeake and Ohio indicate that
the mines will be in operation and the
coal traffic In full swing again in a few
days.
AS soon as this is noted the ships at
Delaware breakwater and other anchor
ages waiting for coal will be attracted
here. and lively scenes are expected.
At the very first warning the industries
here, stocked up with coal. and the local
supply has been abundant.
The Newport News Shipbuilding Com
pany have long train loads of coal I'm
their yards, standing as a precaution
against any contingency. and the extern
sive repair work to vessels as we'll as
the more important preparations for the
building of the three United States men,
of-war, have been going on uninterrupted
ly and there is no need for delay in
the immense activity here. that will
follow on the heels OF the prosecution
Of these large contracts.
NOT A MIcAwBRR CITY.
There is no Micawber-ike spirit about
this city. yet something Is always turn
ing up, and 1t looks now as II something
that we have long hoped for is about to
turn up sure enough-a direct line to
South America.
From the beginning Of this city, so short
a time ago that all can remember, she
has had a more intimate relation with
the South American continent than any
place in the United States south of New
York, and the interest that Consul-General
Townes is now taking in a direct line
between Rio de Janeiro and Newport
News will insure the contamination Of a
long desired enterprise for this port
A considerable trade has been maintain
ed with Rio from the start. and Newport
News has more extensive acquaintance
with Brazil than any other southern
city.
The acquaintance gained by recipro-
cal trade extending through several
years was still further strengthened by
the building at the Newport News ship
yard of the three fastest freight steam
ers afioat, the FL Cid, Eel Norte, and Rio,
for the South American steamship lines,
and wherever these splendid models Of
marine architecture have gone the repu-
tation of Newport News has been carried.
The notoriety Of these ships was ia
mously enhanced by the conversion Of
the Ell Cid into the dynamite cruiser
America by the Brazilian Government
which was the principal factor in the
suppression and surrender OF the insur-
gent Admiral Da Cana in Rio harbor.
TRADE WITH SOUTH AMERICA.
1t is also of interest to recall here the
history of the commercial relations be-
tween Newport News and South America,
showing the jealousy with which the
larger ports watch the progress that New
port News is making as a commercial
| centre, and how they oppose the rapid
| enCroachments the younger city il maxi
ing on the trade of her older rivals.
In the first place, the trade grew out
of the calling Of an occasional sail yes
sci for part cargo or the visit Of a
steamer for like purpose and for coal
supply.
The business grew in proportion until
the United States and Brazil Mail Steam
ship Company found it worth their while
TO touch at Newport News each trip to
and from New York TO Brazil and the
merchants Of the South. finding 1t a
saving in time. freight and expense, COM
menced importing their coffee direct from
Rio.
Then It was that New York. jealous
Of the trade on which she held a monopo-
~ so long. forbid this line trading 10
Newport News under penalty of being
boycotted by metropolitan merchants. and
the steamship company, not being able
! to disobey this mandate, the business
which promised so much for Newport
News and the entire South was throttled
by the more powerful hand OF the New
York combination.
But the infant is making rapid strides.
| and is now more able to cope with the
stronger por 5. and what seemed a ruin
Gus rivalr' has proved blessing in dis
guse. 8ld a direct line from this port
10 Fr"Zil will be the outcome in the near
4 f Ire.
! The business men here are in full ac-
cord with the movement, which has long
been looked on as a certainty sooner or
later. and the Chamber Of Commerce
Thursday will take action on a letter
| from Consul General Townes on the sub
jet. He is in New York en- route tc
Brazil. and is in conference with capt.
talists there in regard to the line.
RAILROADS COMING.
There Is also some quiet. business-like
| talk going on in regard TO one or more
Of the railroads chartered last winter
| by the Virginia Legislature, all Of which
had as their main purpose the reaching
| Of deep water at the end Of this PENN
sula.
While all of the lines chartered may
not be built by those who secured them
! It Is not unlikely that they will form
| connecting links for some Of the North
| western roads who are looking to deer
| water shipping points in this vicinity
which, while nearer to their source Of
supply than New York, enjoys a temper
| ate climate, where work goes on unin-
terruptedly the year round.
The positive trend is in this direction
and that this must be the focal point oil
future railroad building from the Yves
| to tidewater is a conclusion TO which
all natural and mercantile causes point
| Then, when these outlets TO inner com
| merce are made and other Independent
lines of ships are established. the great
ness which has been prophesied by
| Maury, Huntington and other far-seeint
| minds will have arrived.
AS compared with other places New
port News is the livest spot on the sea
| board to-day.
There are more enterprises being dis
cussed and she is attracting more at
tention at home and abroad than an.
other Atlantic port.
This appears phenomenal when stag
nation is the rule elsewhere but 1t read
its own lesson, and the only question un
solved Is. "Wnat will the harvest be-"
Men who have been made compare
lively rich by the increase in value o
real estate will have possessions princel
I'm character when the tide of comin
prosperity sets in
| Investments here are counted the sures
In the country.
new system OF underground sewer
age Is the next local improvement prom