Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-12-21
HAMPTON'S FUTURE
A Brief Review of the Past and
Forecast Based on Facts.
THE FORWARD MOVEMENT
is Developing Municipal Aspirations.
Some Internal Improve
ments in Prospect.
THE FORWARD MOVEMENT

ments in Prospect.
e 4 j.
Because Newport News has grown
phenomanaily, it does not follow that
Hampton has not grown normally.
steadily and even rapidly. It is true
its growth has been somewhat dwarfed
ny that of the progressive. shipbuilGing,
commercial city with which it is SO
,:i. united by ties of common or
klndred interest; but there is no jeal-
ousy OF its baby sister because it has
outstripped her in population and COM
mercial Importance. In the growth ana
advancement Of Newport News, Hamp-
ton mas shared. is sharing and must
share.
Hampton is the Oldest existing town
in the State, a distinction of which it is
rardonably proud. but upon which it
does not depend for it's Importance.
Age. like pedigree, is not to be despised
and brings many advantages; chief
among these are the homogeneity. con-
servatism and culture Of it's people.
Hampton to such an extent as to so-
late her or to prevent her progress
through any idea of satisfaction with
present conditions. The thriving CAPT
tai of the populous county Of Elizabeth
City with all it's two and a half cen
turtles of age and its conservatism is by
no means dead town, but one Of the
lvellest, most progressive in the State.
The infusion Of population from other
sections hasn't been too great to permit
its ready assimilation and the introduce
ton of those desirable qualities charac-
teristic of the people Of other sections
OF this great cuntry, and so conducive
10 the welfare Of q community The
location of men of brains, capital and
character is invited and welcome. II
Trey come to make their homes and
cast their fortunes in Hampton they
VIII find not only cordial hand but a
tine prospect awaiting them. And peo-
pie are coming, too, and bringing BUSH
ness sagacity, industry and capital with
them. There is reason and the best
O: reasons why prospectors should To-
cate in Hampton. This may be briefly
stated thus: Because it is an inviting
field for investment and at the same
time most desirable place of resi-
dence. When these conditions coexist
IN any town people are going to come.
whether they are pressed to do SO or
not. Where ones interest lies. thither
ne is going. even though it be to Klon-
dixie or to Cuba. The Virginia PENN
sula is the happy medium between these
extremes of latitude and climate that
will attract investors and home seekers.
The more nearly an ideal residence
and business point q town is the surer
and Steadier will will its growth be-.
AS the residential advantages and con-
veniences and the educational facili-
ties of a town are Increased, so will its
population and it's prospects be en-
HANGED. These are general truths that
are taking a firm hold upon the progress
siVe younger generation and promises
to bear substantial fruit in the shape of
internal municipal improvements. Now
that the obstacle OF inacceSSibility has
been removed completely, other handi-
caps to Hampton's progressive move
nient are being attached and will soon
be removed. A compact, united. public
spirited body of progressive. influential
young business men is now directing
public attention to the crying needs Of
the town. They are not content to let
Well enough alone and propose to con-
tinue the agitation of the municipal
problems now pressing for solution I'M
til they are solved and solved right.
These men have little or no personal
ambition in the matter; it is almost
purely a public-spirited movement in
which they reasonably hope to share in
cidentally alone with the community
They believe the public wants the i'm
proycments and the comforts which it
IS proposed to provide and that only a
leader is needed to press the movement
to fruition. Everything is advanced by
agitation, which is nothing more than
the means of arouSfng public sentiment
TO the acting point.
Foremost among the improvements
advocated is the thorough and perman-
cnt paving and sewering of the city, or
ut least of its principal business streets.
AS q condition precedent thereto it is
Believed that the extension of the town
limits SO as to include therein all the
town as it now exists is a desirable
procedure, and one for which the time
e now ripe. There is no desire to inn
pose hardShpS upon anyone or to sup
PRESS the prefences OF or otherwise
coerce the minority into any action
that would be likely to prove injurious
70 their financial interests. The BUSH
rcss Mems Association proposes to in
vcstigate the merits and advantages OF
such extension of the town limits as
shall include within it's bounds the town
as it really is now. 1t is not yet itself
,lnitedly committed to that plan, but
proposes to investigate the matter thor
oughly. the members reasoning among
themselves until a majority are con-
vlnced pro or con. In short, it is bus
mess matter vitality, affecting the inter-
ests Of all the community. and as such
will be considered, discussed and de-
cided in a business-like way. Statis-
ties are being prepared with which to
throw light on the question. These in
clude q census of that portion of the
town embraced within the present town
limits, and of the portion now lying
without those limits; compilation of
the assessed values of realty within and
without the limits; an estimate Of the
cost OF the administration of the town
under a city charter in case the census
shows that municipal incorporation is
oesirable; an estimate Of the present
and prospective revenues that would
be derived from Greater Hampton, and
an inquiry into every other phase of the
question. These are other statistics
will be secured and compiled in desir-
able form.
If it be desirable to extend the city
limits, then the questions of the cost Of
sewerage for the city and paving the
principal streets, the means Of deriving
the revenue with which to do this and
the cost thereof to the taxpayer will
be carefully and intelligently inquired
into and clearly prevented. The need
OF such improvements is too patent to