Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-30
FRIDAY. ..............".JULI 80, 1871
nrLrCrRIryING" THE RIVER.

Niagara presents the most notable IL
Iustration of the Harvesting Of the ener-
eies of nature for mans use. Much
water that formerly wasted Itself over
the falls there has been diverted ana
made TO drive immense wheels, which
I'm turn. generate electricity for distri-
button to localities where motive power
is needed Already numerous important
manufactures have sprung up at the
Falls and strong. heavy wires convey
portions Of the electric current to Bur
falo and more distant places for use
for lighting purposes, for street-car
power. for motors for manufactures, etc.
That Is what Is known as "electrfy-
ing" a river That is how the energies
of n great stream are made TO serve
mankindN uses at points considerably
distant from The river iiscH. '7of old,
tho manufacturer's machinery mad to be
nut upon the banks of the river, in order
IN derive it's power from tho stream.
Not so now. Electricity has altered all
that.
And what has been done at Niagara
IS being done a. many other places
where like facilities exist. Now, we are
told. Richmond. too, is to enjoy the
advantages which would accrue from
the development of the water-power OF
the James. At last it appears as If
our dreams of the greatness that was
10 come TO Richmond through her
water-power were about to be realized.
II so. our city has a brilliant future
before It. Not only may all Of our
electrlc-lights and street-car power be
secured from the James, but hundreds
of manufactures new and old, may be
supplied with power from the same
source. That the scheme is "A great one
and a practical one may be conceded
when we remember that two rival sets
OF capitalists were figuring ON 1t at the
same time. one has actually gotten op-
tions upon most Of the water-power and
other riparian rights needed, and has
plans that would take in the entire
mower and volume of the liver from
tidewater TO "A considerable distance up
che falls. These gentlemen would not
pnly secure what is known as the Man
chester water-power and the Richmond
ranaI, but the HaXall-Crenshaw power
and property. and much other valuable
oroperty higher up the river.
For several years past the Dispatch
has argued in favor OF "electrifying'
lfrlk i'm
pressed by the possibilities of the
scheme that we were almost willing
that the city itself should undertake IT,.
Then we had no prospect of northern
capital coming to our aid, as is now
promised.
we are not yet fully acquainted with
the details OF the organization Of the
syndicate, nor of its scheme, but both
are understood 10 have made a favora-
BILE impression upon the owners of the
property in question, and TO have re-
eeived their appreciation. No doubt
much vet remains TO be done by the
syndicate before the matter can be
called settled but certainly the pros
pect is very encouraging, indeed.
with the falls Of the James 'electri-
aed." Richmond would have wealth
OF water-power second only 10 that OF
Niagara and few other cities in this
country Then motive power could and
would be sold here very cheaply This
would be splendid inducement for
new manufactures TO come here Low
taxation Is. OF course. always sought
after by manufacturers. but low taxa
ton Is of less consequence TO them than
cheap motive power. But the outlook
for Richmond is that we shall soon
have both The "electrifying' of the
James VIII give us the one, and pro-
posed constitutional amendments will
give us the other
There have recently been some veFy
active movements made IN the matter
OF arranging for the Chesapeake and
Ohio Depot and viaduct. and we are
glad to learn that that enterprise VIII
certainly be successfully worked out in
the near future; also. that that scheme
ard the eiectrifying scheme perfectly
harmonic with one another.
A State exchange OF ours recently
took pains 10 report the collapse" OF
the v,sduct project. but il knew not