Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-02
ALEXANDRIA.

the war; and while the increase IN the business OF
the city may not havebeen as rapid as the more
enthusiastic would have desired, yet, the growth
has been steady and sure, and under the circun-
stances equals all reasonable expectation.
A great deal Of the trade that had been di-
verted in consequence of Interruptions to the
facilities of transportation, has, by the recon
struction Of the lines Of Improvement leading
hither, and by the energetic exertions OF our
business mcmillan whom no city in the coun-
try can boast a more heightened, honorable, lib
eral and mertorious class ofcitiZens-been again
drawn into its former chaIuel and made trbu-
tary to this market.
The receipts of produce during the year were
large, and compare most favorably with those
of Alexandria more prosperous ante bellum
DAYS, and the assertion can be safely ventured
that the stagnaton in business which prevailed
throughout the country during portion OF the
last year, affected this community in as light
degree, and was felt less seriously here than in
many of our sister cities.
Never dispouding; always. even in the dark
est hour looking hopefully for the dawn Of that
day which is to crown their efforts with success,
our people have. with right appreciation of
the situation, gone to work to repair their shat
tered fortunes and casting aside everything like
dependency. are striving, witha most commen
dable zeal to regain and increase the social and
commercial prosperity Of our good old town
That they deserve all the success that We earnest
ly hope may attend their endeavors, none will
deny. and We are assured that they have the
hearty good wishes of all with whom they have
been brought into intercourse.
The railroads and the canal have done an in
creased business, and the prospect is good for
larger receipts. by both channels, the present
year. the country through which they pass
rapidly improving, and the trade proportionate-
" charging.
The river trade, which was so crippled by
the war, and the loss of which has SO materially
affected the commercial interests of the city, is
slowly recovering and we yet hope that the day
is not distant when ourwharves may be crowded,
as of yore, with River and Bay craft, trelghted
with the products of what was once, and may,
we trust, again be, one of the most productive,
as it was the most genial and hospitable sections
of the old Commonwealth.
The coal trade, suspended during the war and
for several years after, since the rebuilding OF
the Aqueduct and the re-opening of the Canal,
has grown into greater proportions and as the
advantages of Alexandria, as shipping point,
become more and more apparent. it will, doubt
less continue to increase, until this will be the
entrepot for the trade of the entire Cumberland
region.
The mechanical interests of the city have not
languished, and we have had frequent occasion
to note the increase of manufacturing establish
ments in our midst. The factories founderies,
and work shops have been kept in active opera
ton during the past year. furnishing employ
ment to many, and proving profitable. Alexan-
dria should be manufacturing city, possessing,
as she does, so many of the requisites for sue
cessfully prosecuting that branch of business,
fewer places presenting greater advantages and
it is hoped yet to the attention Of capitalists
and manufacturers turned in this direction.
During the past year new Bank-the Citi
zens' National Bank-has been organized and
gone into operation, with paid in capital OF
sl2j, 900 and permission to increase the same
to the extent of S300,00O, which promises, un-
der its present efficient administration. to aid
materially the commercial interests Of the city
and the trade and business Of the community.
The old and well established First National
Bank-formerly branch of the Exchange
Bank of Eirginia-with its capital Of 100000
and its large deposits, has, for several years
had, a. it we'll deserved: nearly the entire
banking business of the city, and by its liberal
management aided in sustaining and encouraging
the merchants and business men. The want Of
another bank was, however, felt to be necessary
to accommodate the increasing trade of the city
as we'll as other commercial, mercantile and
mechanical pursuits and one has been organized,
as stated above; and even yet there Is room for
q further increase Of banking capital. From the
well-known character of the managers Of our
banks and bankers there being two well es-
tablished and successful private banking estab-
ishments also in the city, doing large business
We feel assured that they will always act har-
moniousy in their efforts to promote the gene
raj welfare of our community, and as capital is
now the chief desderatum. any expansion is de-
sirable, and its influx here will be hailed with
pleasure.
While we have been thus steadily and surely
relaying tie foundations of our material pros
perity. VIC have not been unmindful Of other
and not less important interests. Alexandria
was, before the war. great educational centre,
to which the young Of both sexes hocked: to
listen to the teachings of the able instructors,
whose homes were here The war destroyed
most of our schools, but three Of the largest re-
main and several other excellent educational