The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-12
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY Il. 1901.
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH Wiz
GINA?

When we read of the great wealth and
prosperity of the Northern States, their
large and tourshing cities. their mann
moth manufacturing establishments, their
immense banking. resources and all that,
We cannot but ask ourselves why it is
that these States have SO far surpassed
Virginia IT is true that Virginia was
The battle-ground during the war between
The States and that her whole territory
was overrun by the soldiers of both sides
and devastated: it is true that Virginia
has suffered from Republican nisrulc
and from the agitation OF the debt ques-
lion: it is true that Virginia has shown
wonderful recupcrative power, and she
has done remarkably wei. but we do not
believe that with her mighty resources
Virginia has done as well as she might
have done.
Compare The resources Of this State
with those of any one Of The New Eng
land States. and everything seems to be
in our favor. Our lands are capable Of
producing all sorts of crops. grain and
cotton and peanuts and the finest garden
vegetables and fruits; the mountains OF
The State are rich in coal and iron and
other minerals: the Chesapeake Bay and
its tributaries are rich in fish and oysters
and game; we have our fun share Of
1avigabic streams upon which TO bear
our commerce; we have first-class water
power in various sections of the State;
we have good railroad facilities, and from
an Industrial point Of view our climate is
all that could be desired, being neither
so warm as in the far South nor SO cold
as in New England.
Suppose conditions We're reversed, sup
pose any one of the New England States
had the resources OF Virginia and Vir-
ginia had only the resources Of Maine or
Vermont or Massachusetts. The wealth
OF the New England States would be
quadrupled and the condition in yirg-n
would he pitiful indeed. But why is it,
we ask, with her superior advantages
Virginia should be far less rich and pros
porous than the New England States
with their poor natural resources and
their many disadvantages? There are no
it must be through our own fault that we
have not prospcred as New England has
prospered. For one thing New England
ers are more thrifty. They work hard
and they turn everything tie good account,
letting nothing 80 10 waste. They make
all they can and save all they can. They
are always looking out for opportunities,
and when the opportunities come they inn
prove Them.
Another reason is that the New Eng
land States are better advertised than
Virginia is. And still another reason, the
agement to ,noneyed men 10 come in and
invest.
Ii is always a sore trial for US TO criti-
else The people of Virginia. They arc a
noble people. and they have so many good
traits and do so many good things that
we are reluctant 10 find fault with them.
Moreover. they are cur brethren. But We
yirginians need TO be stirred up. We are
not us thifty and as cnterprisins as We
ought TO be, we do not make all we can.
we do not save all we can. We DO not
take advantage OF our opportunities We
are too much disposed TO sit down and
wait for something 10 turn up rather than
10 take The instrument IN our hands and
turn something up.
Again. we have never advertised our
resources as we ought TO have done. We
take it for granted that people all over
the world have fun knowledge of our
rich lands OF our fine narisable streams
of our splendid wafer power. of our i'm
menae mineral wealth, of our fish and
oyster grounds. and all the rest. But we
must not take such things for granted.
We ought TO spend a large sum OF money
ia bringing these Interesting facts TO the
attention of people on the outside who
are seeking homes and INVESTMENTS. and if
the State OF Virginia should expena
s1oe,ooo In 5uaicious advertising. re be-