The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-09-24
7noro s,,,ia, social rntercourse.;

b We have for years en- deal 20 eus 70 lla press
upon the commercial class In this Cit. the
Importance OF social intercourse afno ngst
merchants, as well in their local relations
with one another as In their relations WITH
country customers or merchants from eott, l,
cities. We have invited the attention OF
our people to The fact that our advantages
for such intercourse were very limited. In
a plan we suggested for establishing great
hotel on STEARSs's property, opposite the
custom-house, we had especially in view
the idea OF establishing place where our
merchants would be daily brought together,
and the country merchants with them,
where they could talk over local enterprises
and matters OF general interest. That we
always thought grand desideratum here
where so much is lost, 80 much apathy pre-
walls, for the want OF frequent interchange
OF views and community OF interest
amongst our business citizens.
Richmond's topography is disadvantage
Gus to community and sympathy amongst
the merchants. There are no merchants
anywhere more rerseyerinely industrious
than those OF Richmond. But the hills OF
the city divide them, so to speak, into clans.
Church Hill and Shockoe Hill are rs 1ar
apart in effect upon business matters as are
Petersburg and Richmond.
Everything that tends to bring our busi-
ness-men into better understanding, anu
to compact and unity the local interests ana
enterprises, acts most beneicially upon the
interests and prosperity Of Richmond. For
this reason we feel much qualification in I'm
Outstanding the policy and action OF the
Commercial Club OF the city, which has
been in existence several months, and
whose spacious and elegant rooms are at
the corner Of Governor and Ross streets.
The position is convenient to business, ana
the customs and rules that prevail are CAL
culated to promote the qualification ana
ease and comfort OF the stranger, and thus
extend the kindly and business relations
between this city and the country mer-
chants.
No place OF the kind has been known
here until the recent establishment OF this
useful institution. The recent visit OF the
North Carolina merchants TO Richmond was
under the management of this well-con-
Quoted Club, and the benefits OF that SOCIAL
interchange between the worthy merchants
OF the substantial Old North State and our
own people have been manifested III an IN
creased trade between them, to the very
great advantage OF both.
This excellent beginning is making its
impression, and our citizens are probtlng
by it. We should cultivate the social along
with our mercantile relations. The matter
OF commencing our city through the en-.
li-htened entertainments offered to the
stranger, and through the pleasant places
within its boun diaries that tempt the stranger
to linger for enjoyment and rest, should DE
made a business OF our government, in
which the authorities and the people ought
to cooperate with sincerity and energy.
Every step towards beautifying the city
and increasing its attractions to the stranger
is a solid benefit that will do more towards
promoting The prosperity and opulence OF
Richmond than is dreamt Of.
Just now we take pleasure in especially
calling attention to the Commercial CLUB.
It deserves well, and should be reinforced
by the unanimous and active appreciation
of the merchants.
For the rest, we have nobly begun the
adornment OF the city, and 1t is certain now
that we shall have some other attraction
than the funeral drives OF Hollywood, as
refined and piously sentimental as they dis
pose the traveller to be. But it Is unques-
tionably agreeable and salutary to give
proper variety to the means Of exercise and
qualification in sights and drives.