The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-01
A HAPPY NEw-YEAR to our dear friends
and the public. May their plahs be wise
may they profit by the lessons Of the past
and may their labors be crowned with sue
Annual Statistics Of Richmond.

Annual StatlStacS OF ttlcGHouu.
We present 10 orr readers in this morn
ing's Dispatch the annual statistics Of this
city In all the departments of Commerce ana
Industry, besides a great variety Of social
municipal, corporate, mortuary, aud other
statements and tables, which will be found
both interesting and valuable.
This information is of character that
makes i, very acceptable upon the begin.
ming OF the new year. 1t will brighten the
hopes of those upon whose sasac'ty and en-
crgy depends the successful prosecution OF
the general industry and enterprise Of Rich
rnord. When we look back and remember
how recently our city was in ashes, and with
what labor she was rebuilt, and how she has
gone on TO recover strength until now she
wears the undoubted appearance ola rich and
thrifty city, we cannot repress just senti'
men.s of pride, and must feel fresh and
vigorous impulse to spur us on to energy
and confidence in our pursuits.
An important item in our statistics Is that
relating to the BUILDINGS of the past year.
During the year there were $50 buildings
completed and 73are in various stages Of pro-
rress. The sum OF 81 ,092 $50 was expended
upon these buildings, Notwithstanding
tina; the pressure put stop in good degree
10 building projects for third Of the year.
II this estimate is not included several
churches and expenditures Of the city in
buildings at cost of S23S, 900.
In great part the causes which occa-
stoned this Increase OF building were just
beginning 10 operate. We may infer that
the disposition, to build was growing, and
tina: .ld it not been interrupted it would
have gone Oh steadily, aud We should have
haG a 1uuch better exhibit for our readers.
In MANUFACTURING, also, we have fiat
;rring account. For the first eight months
Il the year the amount Of products OF our
1aanufactorit. vas larger than i'll :lc cor
.csponding months of any preceding gear.
gut for the panic, we should be able to show
al increase upon the value of fabrics of
1872; whereas there is Il falling off of l,31S,-
IS: as compared with that year, when the
fetal amount was SIC, l99,97O.
The stoppasc of the sugar refinery at the
beginning of the year, whose product in
1872 was SS03,Sj0, accounts for a good part
0: the falling off in 1873. There was de-
crease in iron, tobacco, agricultural imple-
mtnts, and leather goods, but an increase in
nearly all other branches, Notwithstanding
the panic. The aggregate Of manufactures
for the year is SD, SS1,l3G.
In The list of statements will be found one
Of interest concerning the churches. 1t is
asce.tained that half of the population of
Richmond is enrolled in the churches---t. G.,
halt Of the people are members OF churches.
This is q creGitable exhibit for the morals OF
the city. and, it is conjecturcd, has hardly a
a"ailel in this country.
We repeat, that upon the whole the an
Ei,al review presented by us to-day will
Cord satisfaction. With the proofs that we
ave of the solid growth of the city, we
cay Justly conclude that as soon as the mo-
ICY market returns to q state of ease and
confidence Richmond will resume IFS rapid
Improvement. Our railroad communication
southwardly is greatly strengthened and
extended by the completion of the Richmond
ant, Atlanta airline, and il is certain that
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company
will now 90 on with its Louisville and Gin
cinnati connections with an expedition that
will soon give railway communication direct
and rapid with every great western city.
In The mean time James river is steadily
being improved, and our facilities for mari
time commerce will be adequate to any
amount that could possibly concentrate here.
The manufacturing advantages are III
creased by the opening of new sources OF
supely of minerals and fuel. Not day
passes that does not bring to our city
strangers who are here as proSpectors, or
intelligent travellers who are filled with adj
m:ration at the peculiar adaptation of Rich
M md to the purposes Of manufacturing.
We cannot doubt that the next year will
add decidedly to the aggregate manufactu-
ring power of tue city.
So We begin the new year with improved
prospects and faith in the future of the
.ity better and more solidly supported than
tany former day. Faith is half the battle
in great enterprises, and with it there is no
disability of failing, but certainty that We
hall push Richmond forward more rapidly
than ever towards real opulence and great
ness.