The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-02

facilities. / believe the day is not far
distant when ship building, one OF the
worlds greatest and most profitapie IN
dustrics, will be removed from the clyde
and permanently located on Chesapeake
Bay. Some day this portion of Virginia
will be Il vast and busy hive OF conf
morce, manufacture and industry.
Tho completion of the Panama Canal
will make these the most favored hnr-
bors in the world, and must result ulti-
mately in making Chesapeake Bay the
worlds commercial, manufacturing ana
industrial centre The growth of this
section of Virginia in recent years mas
been marvellous. but, like the tints of
the morning sun, it but family ioreteiis
the glory of noontime.
Our mines. forests and factories show
prodigious increase OF production. In
every line of manufacture Virginia en-
terprise and capital have yentured and
succeeded. Our manufactured products
were Increased from sSS366, $4,000 In 1S0o,
to s134.1T2910.00 in 1900. The Increase
in recent years has been still more sur
prising and rapid.
More Like Romance.
AS great and as important as is our
farming wealth, to-day Virginia is far
more a manufacturing than an agricul-
ttlral State. TO handle this great traffic
new and important lines of railroad are
being constructed in different sections of
the State, and the lines of many of our
railroads are being doubled tracked. So
great have been the progress and de-
velopment of Virginia, SO immense her
resources and future possibilities, that
the mere recital of them in homely
phrase. as ! have done, appears as the
language of extravaganza. The story of
her rehabilitation from ruin and desola-
ton at AppomattoN to the present reads
more like u romance than history Those
years of patient suffering, patriotic per-
severance high courage in misfortune,
lofty resolve amid difficulties have made
us an energetic. conservative. strong,
resoute people, and we propose with
brave heart, with willing, toiling hands
to build still greater Virginia.
The past of Virginia is secure. The
brightest pages of our national history
are those illumined by her deeds and the
achievements OF her illustrious sons. The
future OF Virginia is In our hands. If
our wisdom, patriotism and energies will
only be commensurate to our possibil-
ties, that future, IS also safe and secure
and each recedinG year will bring to the
power, n greater and richer radiance.
I've must realize that in the great
work before us most of 1t must he ac-
complished by the energies and activi-
ties of the people. Government can only
be supplemental TO their achievement
Government creates no wealth. This is
produced by the labor and efforts of the
people. While government creates no
wealth, 1t is the most potential of all fac
tors In distributing wealth whom once
created. Honest government is that
which permits wealth to remain In tho
| pockets of those who produce 1t. Dis
honest government Is that which, by
special favors and privileges, by Great
ing monopoly, takes the fruits of the toll
of the many and gives it to the few.
The laws Of this State, as far as possible,
should be such as to prohibit all mo-
nopoly, either in the industries or in
transportation. and should contain no
vestigc of special faNors or privileges.
| As far as law can permit, each citizen,
whether rich or poor high or low. strong
| or weak, should have an equal oppor-
runity in the struggle of life and stand
| equal before the law The productive
| energies of people arc always mt their
maximum, the greatest prosperity exists,
| when each receives the results OF his
| own energy and sacrifice.
| Another question msepaiably inter-
! woven with our development and pros
| perity Is proper and Just regulation of
| the railroads and transportation COM
| panies. There Is not a city or section of
| this state the future OF which is not de-
| pendent upon the rate OF its freight
! charses Whether the products OF our
farms or factories can find profitable
1 I.I.. 4.