The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-05-02

the cities OF Norfolk, Petersburg, Lynch
burg, and Alexandria, AL put together
that the number of wholesale houses here,
each of which sold over $500. 900 worth of
goods per annnn, was greater than all the
houses OF the same class In the cities named;
and that the sales by our commission mer-
chants Of agricultural products largely ex-
ceedcd tho aggregate sales of like articles
in all those cities. These facts were pub
tished to roflitc the statements of parties
unfriendiv to Richmond, who industrioi,sly
circulated false reports in regard to what
they were pleased to term "the declining
commerce Of Richmond, The license sys-
tenn Of the State now no longer recurring
reports to the revenue officers of general
merchandise sales, we are deprived of the
means OF making similar comparison at
the present time. In lieu thereof we give
brief review Of
THE WHOLESALE SPRING TRADE OF TIE CITY
for the month Of March and April, derived
from interviews with the leading merchants.
These all agree that the trade this spring
is more than fifty per cent. better than that
OF last year, and the prevailing opinion is
that the present pleasing state of the whole
sale market Is but an earnest Of better
things. The reports suhjoined, it must be
understood, are not coniectural. but are
facts gathered from the books of the prin-
cipal houses in each line of business, and
condensed for our columns.
GROCERIES.
In this department of trade most graft
flying exhibit is made. Nearly all the lead
ing firms report large increase Of sales to
good customers. Some report an increase
of 50 per cent. over last year, some 80,
some 100. None have fallen behind, and
the average increase Of receipts may be es-
timated at not less than 60 per cent. West
Virginia and North Carolina merchants are
finding their way here in larger numbers in
quest otgrocerics, and when once customer
Is secured he seldom goes elsewhere for
his spring or fall supplies.
Wholesale grocerS are now importing a
considerable quantity of coffee direct from
Rio, as i'll former years. They also obtain
their supplies of bacon from Western
packers, and other groceries from first
hands. Under these circumstances the
terms upon which they sell cannot be sur
passed Ivy the dealers of other cities, and
the result is shown in the statements made
above.
DRY GOODS.
In the dry goods line the dealers report
large sales to new men in the Valley and
Southwestern Virginia, North Carolina,
and West Virginia, Many who have been
heretofore buying in Baltimore and New
York now seek this market, and they are
OF the better class OF customers. 1t is to
be noted also that there are more cash
sales. The increase in the sales Of the
spring OF 1871 over that of 1870 may be
safely put down ut 80 per cent.
CLOTHING.
The wholesale clothierS agree with the
dry goods men in reporting an increase Of
hi.;r ont N hnir hJJS
ness. They find, also, 4 better class of
dealers, and an Increased trade with the
Southwestern part Of this State aud with
West Virginia.
CRoCKERY AND HARDWARE.
In the crockery line very healthy trade
is reported, with an increase of about
thirty three per cent. over last year. Not
only is business hrisker, but dealers are
represented rs Of a better class.
he hardware men have just as much
business as they can we'll manage. The III
crease is estimated at twenty-five or thirty
per cent, anda very good proportion OF tie
business is done for cash. In North Car
DINA particularly our Richmond hardware
dealers are rcaplng richer harvest, and all
along the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad new trade in this line, rs we'll as
others. is spriDging up. Some country
" J. u
have come here on their return, and bought
largely to their entire satisfaction. Most Of
the better class Of dealers in North Carolina
and Southwestern Virginia IRE dealing now
in Richmond.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
In this line, also. most gratifying state
Of affairs is remarked. Every house re-
ports an increase of about % per cent.
One old man who has perSistently dealt all
his life in New York, Philadelphia, and
Baltimore, this season bought q part of his
goods here, and was heard to say that he
had bought his last bill in the cities north
of Us.
DRUGS.
Although the ruling prices Of many arti-
cles in this department Of trade are lower
than they were last year, the gross receipts
of our wholesale dealers in drugs show an
increase Of about % per cent. The pro-
portion Of cash business is also greater.
NOTIONS.
In notions there is largely increased
trade with West Virginia and Southwest
ern Virginia, and also to some extent with
North Carolina and tide-water Virginia.
tiuer class of goods is sold, bills are
larger, and the cash comes IN more freely.
The increase may be rated at oO per cent.
without eXaggeration.. Our dealers nave
increased their capital, as well as their
stock of goods. One house has already
doubled its last years trade. Sones are
selling goods of their own Importation, and
a large proportion is bought directly from
the manufacturers. Sales are reported 10
points much more convenient 10 BaiCimore
than to Richmond.
MANUFACTURES.
While iobbers make such gratifying re-
ports. a glance at the manufacturing inter-
ests of Richmond afford still more pleas
ing exhibit. a series of articles in this pa
DER last winter showed what we are doing
in iron alone, and what large and In
creasing revenue that branch OF manu-
features yields our city. The figures
given then astonished some people, Dut
they would be still more astonishing now.
The product of railroad supplies, station
ary engines, agricultural implements, nails,
&c. is eyery week increased by many tons.
our manufactures of Wooden-ware, earth
epWare, furniture, brushes, tin-Ware, hoi-
IoW-Ware, coniectioneries, &C., are also
doing a thriving business, an increase OF
product and sales being reported in each
department..
va ..-....s GENERAL PROSPERITY. ~ { |
We draw no fancy picture, but present
the actual state of facts. The result OF our
improving trade is seen IN all oepaI!timse.e nus
of business. Money has been plentiful for
several months past. Retail dealers are
doing wen. New buildings are going up.
Mechanics find steady and remuneratiye
employment, and it has been necessary TO
summon some from abroad.
The Increased tonnage on the railroads is
,,.+tor ov;dapca Of increased business,