Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-17
PATHFINDER Of SEAS As
ADVOCATE OF RAILROADS
Strongly Urged People Of Augustus
TO Cooperate I'm Construction
Of Valley Railroad.
TOLD sSoRFoLK's EXPERIENCES
Showed How Development OF Nir-
sinia's Crest Seaport Was re-
tarded by Dominating influence
Is Of Negro During Reconstruction.

cemmodorc NJ. r. Maury was not
only "a "Pa;hfindcr of the Seas" but
he took large interest in the develop
ment Of means OF communication by
land. looking TO the Improvement OF the
country and The getting of the coun-
trv's products 10 market
about the year 1870, according 10 4
!ettcr written The Times Dispatch by
Newton .Arecnbrisht OF stanton, an
old ia sh!oncd barbecue was held in that
city. having as its object the stirring up
OF interest in the building of tho Val
ley Railroad. Among others invited
10 xttcnd was Commodore Naury. While
hc was unable 10 be present. he wrote
a letter, which WAS read at The meet
ing. The communication has been pre-
served. and a copy OF it has been fur
nsilcd for publication by Mr.. ArGen-
nright.
As showing both Commodore Maury's
views on an important subject and in
ridental;y conditions in the city OF Nor
1oik which are nov happily long over
como, ii makes interesting reading.
The letter follows:
TENT or mi EEESTiNG
LETTER FROM MtuRi
Dear Siv.--Yuur note OF invitation 10
;he Valley hallway barbecue at S:sun-
ION. on the 3o;h instant. reached me
aniy THIS morning. arrangements al
rcnJy made compel me. ! am sorry 10
s.s, - send regrets. instead OF appear
luG In person - Interchange views
H.th the farmers Of Augusta, while VIC
tcectAcv chic. ?ou" good cheer.
u believe in railroads and de..rc 10
SIC Them thrs.,..ns every valley IN VIZ:
-iaiu that IS large enough 20 be drained
by II river. Railways are Xix: rivers
anyhow: they create wealth, increase
prosperity ana promote human hap1:-
ness. Providence has cmbeilishca on,
beautiful valley Win The latter; has cs
taei.*hcd easy grades; ANA gentle curves
for tho former, and then left the rest
for liz TO 10. There has. believe. bccu
some hackwardncss ON tho part OF NJ
susta in subscribing 10 this road. |
"cndcr ~ il; Al ;hc money has.
am told, been raised bat $500. lQo. Al!
the other counties along tho line tho'i
20 tho cast and tho wcsD have sub
scribcd 20 il. and .Nusmsia. tho riches,
Of them all. is now called ON. no; for
her fair Dropc!t!cn. bal only Tor a
small pari OF it, and there is hest
Iaucv.
suppose qu"s,.o: ot this SOY; co0id
by an omnipoten; pewc:. be put to tho
licopic OF Augusta pay up =. millions Of
dollars OF you; beautiful rivers. With
ali their tributaries shall he dried up
Sna %our fountains become Standing
ncos. with What haste would not your
pecplc Noic 10 III. the blank. rather than
auci' !. Wight should ia;l om the county:
TIA give running brooks Tor rail.
roads any time: for they arc no, one
Nh!. less conducive 10 the general wcl-
tarc. Build this road. and competition
VIII dispute for -FOUR freight; and com
petition you know always brings down
pricca. and benefits none more than
E"nr :aw producer. slch As the farmer
always IL. II is moderate 10 estimate
that the reduction on this account
alone without regard 10 the choice OF
nai'hctS. would add 10 the farmers re-
ccipiS for his produce AZ the rate of
Something Hike, cent" oushel tor
cram. or s: the ;o! Tor every ear
Load o. freight tha: is sent from. or
hr"uch' into the valley. This would en-
iN'o :o'ir farmers 20 send 10 riarict 3:
vast amour; OF stuff Chat l. now. OF no
commercial value. and 20 increase ;l,c
wealth Of The COUNT. Thus. urou ;i.c
hrtnciplc that penny saved Is 4 pcun..
ss!ncd' that road will be TO every
farmer who has lao more even ;han 100
5"SHc!* OF whca; or twenty barrels OF
'oTn 10 sell worth auiualli ard
farever not loss tiIan s., :. yca.. Now.
YAeh You come 10 multiply this by
Hose who have thousands OF bushels
ana scores OF barrels TO sell every wear.
IL is not difficult To perceive how large
arc TN. prc'." and vast The benefit,
'nai arc "a accrue TO ;hc pconic OF tho
cunt" ~ @!;tply .cndins their credit
10 n.y. rsAH su" lending their credit.
i"r tho rcad' will long before tho notes
o' tle county tall due. pay back tho
'paA' PRINCIPAL 9nd interest, many times
oyer. IN" bcttcr 30 understand The
iot"H 90 this rem4rI suppose that after
i'lS road shall have hcen built and con-
.H'i'd il onecatiou Tor g few years = nd
NJ" onen.h ;or is advantages 10 h..
~, ana .& Talro 20 the county 20 h.
1no'i"'ool %!ppcao. say THAI after
,"" ~ ouor should be madc TO pay
harE 20 th" county zen times ,bc