The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-01

WI. LAI.
sent. In Richmond there were many desi-
rable street improvements numerous
handsome residences were built and many
new industries added TO the list OF enter
prises upon which we can most surely rely
Tor prosperity, while by the purchase of
The new steam-pump assurance was given
that short supply OF water is never more
TO be permitted TO damage the reputation
Of the city.
But the most substantial evidence Of what
Richmond has done-and OF what she Is
capable OF doing in the futurc-is seen in
the tabular statement Of manufactures.
The information therein contained is the
result OF personal canvass from estab-
lishment TO establishment, and The figures
come directly from the books OF the firms.
There were Il6 more hands employed
than in 1850, and whereas in 1880 the hands
were not continuously employed, in 1881
they made not only full but In many in-
the demand for skilled labor exceeded the
supply. As for the result, the three lines
following will tell it with the emphatic e'o-
quence Of mdcniable fact:
iss1....................sI1 .O2O,e15 S32,S02, ,75G
lSsu.........."...... SGe2,62G 24,7Oi,s92
Incrcase.........s 2,32s,ls9 s s,O97 s6i
This is IN increase C. sales Of about 80
per cent. The Increase, while coming
from every direction except the stem
mcries, was most notable In iron-works,
manufactured and smoking tobacco, cigars
and cigarettes, shoes, and leather goods and
fertilizers.
The past years showing Is all that we
could have hoped for, and the prospect for
the new year is pleasing. Most OF the
manufacturers have profitable orders ahead,
and are 80 well assured of continued pros
pcrity that they are cquipping themselves
for increasing volume OF business.
Inquiry among the wholesale houses dis
closes the gratifying fact that that trade is
keeping well along with the advance in
manufactures. Richmond drummcrs, as
active and jealous as any, are to be seen
nowadays not only everywhere in Virginia,
but in West Virginia and Kentucky, in
North and South Carolina, Georgia and
other States. The sales OF the wholesale
trade here have increased generally about
- per cent. in drugs and boots and shoes
they have gone up 80 per cent. They have
been highly satisfactory in hardware, dry
goods, notions. clothing, hats and caps.
andhouschold supplies. True, the compe-
tinon is aciiye-for we have to compete
with the great northern citics-and the
margins moderate, but the large territory
opened TO us by the recent railroad eXteu-
sions and the improved condition OF the
country make the wholesale trade Of Rich
mond very promising, both as TO extent
and profit.
This issue elsewhere record, the condition
of our import and export trade, and deals
with the busncs, Of transportation, the
assessment and levying OF taxes, and give,
ernmcnt, not omitting the public schools,
which grow steadily in usefulness and
popularity. The religious statistics show
that Richmond continues 4 stronghold OF
the Church. The reports from charitable
institutions prove that We are by no means
ummindiul OF those whom ill-fortune has
made dependent upon us, and our list OF
benevolent and social orders demonstrates
that there is vast organization here for
helping the sick and distressed, and for cul-
tivating sociability and good feeling.
For,he rest we can refer to the Neurology
a. a sad reminder OF how many well-knoWn
citizens have been called from this life; TO
the "Local Events" as suggestive of the
busy scenes and startling events Of thayear
past; to the official mortuary report for a
contradiction OF many foolish rumOr- and
mischicyous reports; to the article on the
post-oMce rs showing that the business ne
tiyily here is widely dilluscd, and that the
mails are important factors in public pros
pcritv: TO the lumber and brick statistic,
a, showing the extent of building opera
tions. and to all the varying items n con-
tributing information about Richmond'r
history. standing. and prospects.
But enough OF retrospect and remi'
niscence. As for the old year, we present
the record. A. for the new, we give om
wish that it may be one OF happiness and
prosperity for all our readers and all oun
! people.