Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-09

i its Chamber stand ready to render them
all assistance In their power to make the
| celebration one of which, not only Nor
folk but the whole State. may be proud.
/ The event to be commemorated is one
so important that the whole State is con-
cerned, and ! am certain that voice the
| sentiment of all our people when | say
| success to Norfolk and her sister cities
by the sea in 1907.
GOOD ROADS CONVENTION.
One Of the most important topics now
engaging the thought of our. people is
that of good roads Acting on the sug-
! gestion of this Chamber, our honored Gov.
ernor issued call for State convention
to consider this deeply interesting sub
ject. A better or more representative
gathering has rarely been seen than that
which met in, and filled. this hall, March
| 20. 1902 in answer to this call. The date
OF the meeting was particularly oppor-
tune as through the efforts of the Cham
Der. heartily sustained by the earnest CO.
operation and strong financial support of
our city and county authorities. the good
roads train, working under the personal
supervision Of the president and secretary
| Of the National Good Roads Association,
was at that time giving. on the suburbs
| of our city, a practical illustration in
road building. Able. instructive and help
| full addresses were made al the conven-'
| ton by our Governor, Hon. Martin Dodge.
| of Washington. d. c.: Mr. II. O. l.ridge,
| director Of Road Engineers. Washington;
+! D. c.; Hon. A. c. Machin Senator Daniel,
| Representative Lamb. Colonel W. H.
Moore. president Of the National Good
Roads Associations: Colonel George w.
! Miles. Of Radford, Va. and others. The
| practical result was the establishment of
| a permanent State orga nizat ton. with Mr..
| H. w. Anderson, of our city. as presi-
| dent, Mr.. T. NJ. WORKMAN ass secretary,
! and Mr.. Tx Sands as treasurer. The
| association is now canvassng the Legisla-
| turc with the view of introducing bill,
| asking for State aid for county road con-
| struction. Let us hope their efforts will
| be successful. and that this important and
! far reaching movement may receive an
| impetus which will be- felt all over the
State. Good roads increase trade and fur
Their civilization, and our people must not
be tagging behind. while other States are
receiving benefits from the recognition Of
| this patent fact,
IMPROVEMENT TO POST OFFICE.
During the last session of Congress. our
REP. sentative, Hon. John Lamb. and our
Senator's were very energetic in their eff
! forts to see that Richmond's needs for a
| larger post-office. more commodous quar-
tiers for the internal revenue and custom
| office. and better accommodations for the
| United States courts were satisfactorily
g1flet. Working to this end. quite large
representation from the Committee on
| Public Buildings and Grounds were
! brought to our city by Hon. John Lamb.
| These gentlemen were well entertained
! by our citizens. number O. the latter
| giving freely Of their time and money for
| the purpose. The impression produced of
| our city and people was very favorable,
and this good impression was followed
! UP and deepened by the earnest work OF
| Representative Lamb and Senator's Mar
| tin and Daniel. The result was the pas
sage by Congress of bill authorizing the
| acquisition by condemnation. for the pur-
| pose named. of the Shafer property at the
| northeast corner Of Main and Tenth
| streets for the sum of $4,000. AS the
leoNners- have finally decided. after great
| deal Of hesitation. to sell at this price,
| we have every reason to hope the proper
| ty. will. in a short time; be acquired, and
| the government fully committed to plan
| for providing our city with facilities COM
| mensurate with the needs Of our growing
| population.
BENEFIT OF JAMES RIVER.
If there Is any one thing which is pre-
eminent for having contributed to Rich
monds welfare In the past and which
promises still more for the future. it is
! James river. From it we are now getting
| five thousand horsepower for the lighting
of our streets and houses and for the
| running of our railways. This power is
| now being doubled and will continue to be
| increased until the maximum Of fifteen
| thousand horsepower shall have been
! put under tribute AS great benefit as
| is the generation of this power. it is yet
from the river. as navisable stream,
furnishing US highway to the sea that
| we receive our greatest good. It's presence
actually saves our people thousands and