The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-30
Richmond Manufac turers -Enco courage
Them.

Richmond Manufac turers Encourage
Them.
Tho manufacturing capacity OF TINS cry
much larger, we imagine, than our ON"
yens suppose 1t to be. II Is :,
greater now than IL wa oeioi. 1 ......,
x.ou,a 10 fair. therefore, at 'eas' !" .'N
..ort at that time. In the iron
,r;es AT that time were employed
",sand i've hundred mechanics. II u
snpnose that these, with families Deepen
w ,>on them. numbered fully fourteen
..ars,nd as the population deriving their sup
,>,r, from the manufacturing of iron in all i's
shapes IL we look q little farther, we mo
that the operations of these manufacturers
,o,a emp,oyment to a number Of mechanics,
miners, and iaborcrs, in the production OF the
iron consumed in their fabrics. 1t is reason
able estimate 10 put these at the NUMBER VI
six thousand-so that we have twenty tho"-
sand people employed and supported by the
iron manufactures of Richmond when WORKED
to their ordinary capacity. 1t is easy 10 see
how mich is added to the wealth ana pros
nerity of tho State by the lahors OF such
population and by the expenditures necessary
n their Subsistence. They not only occasion
the disbursement of u great deal OF money,
encouraging the farmer, the gardener, etc.
sbut thew add to the solid wealth of the State
nv the crentioa If ,ceaiM from the mines, ana the
further enhancement of it by their art ana
industry. The benefits to the community thus
conferred are very great, and therefore those
engaged in this branch of enterprise and III
dustry deserve the most cordial encourage
ment and support of every citizen who mas II
in his power TO bestow any upon them
Now what do we see? AT this time, when
there is a demand, without precedent for all
that class of iron work which enters into the
building of houses, not more than one-thlrd
of the mechanics who follow the business OF
working in iron are employed. The two
thirds are doing nothing, or working rs day
laborers. The consequence is, that great
number of helpless persons dependent upon
them are in want and distress. This is the
state Of hiags ,clen there is cork enoogt SENT OUT
OF RICHMOND, not only to emptoy the idle, DIT To
add largely to the nun1er Of tcorkmea in the city!
We are assured, upon the best authority,
that there is no good reason i'll the matter OF
cost for going north for the work now needed
The manufacturers here will deliver castings
for fronts &c, at the same that they may cost
when bought elsewhere and they VIII De us
vol, made. ANDERSON Co., SNYDER & Bow
rps TALgorT & BROTHERS, ETrESGER & Ed
xoyp. ARCHER & GOODWIN, RAHM kABL,
Turner EHBETs, the Union Manufacturing
Company, and others, are rs enterprising and
prompt as manufacturers anywhere else, and
have rs complete establishments as can be
found in any of the northern manufacturing
towns. Messrs. ANDERSON Co.'S establish
ment is without Il superior ill its line, and has
hardly an equal. Messrs. SNYDER Bowers,
extensive stove manufacturers, have just com.
pleted their large foundry, burnt in April
last which has Il department especially de-
voted to house work and iron fronts, in which
have been cast some of the largest pieces that
are used for that purpose. Some of the best
looking fronts in this city have been cast in
this and other establishments.
Need we say Il word as to the interest all OF
lis have in encouraging our own manufacto-
ries BY doing SO, we keep the money eN-
pended in their fabrics at home-we give en-
ployment to men engaged in them, who, being
supported and lodged in this city, pay out
money to all trades, and to landlords, and gar
deners, and butchers. We thus increase the
animation of business, enhance the value Of
property and increase immensely the solid
local wealth of the community. This state
ment is entirely incontrovertble. Then why
send away the work that can he done in this
CITY? 1t would be better, indeed, to pay more
for it here than elsewhere; because money eX-
pended for it here would flow back into the
pockets that paid it out; but once sent norm N
the Potomqc, il ltcre1' returns. We are sure that
a greatmany gentlemen who have gone else
where TO supply wants that could so easily
have been accommodated here, have done so
without reflec ton But let us begin to reflect,
and cease 10 do heedlessly things that are car
rying away the life blood of The community,
and keeping us poor, and crippled, and Deepen
dent.
We trust that we shall soon see Our noble
factories employed to their full capacity-at
least to the extent of the wants of this city
and our competent and honest mechanics at
work, and making good wages, instead OF
walking idly about the city, while their fami-
lies are suffering for the want of the comforts,
and probably the bare necessaries, of life.