The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-02

The showing is really enc one. The
decline In sales of tobacco Is due to
cause beyond our reach OF remedy--thc
tobacco-tax agitation. The other losses are
small and are attributable to the fact that
two large iron-wCrking establishments
were greatly interrupted by fire, and one
of the louring-mills was for half the year
suspended for the introduction Of new ma
chinery. Further than that, prices were
for nearly all articles manufactured here
lower than for the previous year.
Our wholesale and iobbing trode Is great
and growing.
Mr.. A. w. Bali, superintendent OF Brad
streets Mercantile Agency In Richmond,
is authority for the statement that 1t
amounts TO S50,oo0,0O0 annually. Our
drummers follow the line Of the Danvile
system away down into Alabama and the
Chesapeake and Ohio lines almost TO the
suburbs Of Louisville, and on the other
roads, both in and ont OF the State, they
are active in pushing our trade. AS for
the drummers from tobacco-houses, they
travel from Maine TO Texas and from the
Atlantic 10 the Pacific. Richmond tobacco
IL sold In large quantities III the mining
camps aud on the frontiers OF the West.
Taking ont OF consideration tobacco, the
jobbing trade for 1882 was decidedly bet
ter than in 1881. The spring trade was
frst-rate. That Of the fall was hardly up TO
expectation in view Of the large crop for
the crop was not marketed with the usual
haste. Farmers are beginning TO get some
thing ahead, and arc not forced to make
immediate sales as they used TO be. This
reserve Of the crop In farmers hands will
be marketed in the spring, and will give
that trade good start off.
During the year there was but little COM
plant In the matter Of transportation, from
which il may be judged that the roaC' in
general gave the merchants fair rates and
prompt dispatch for their goods. Alto
gether the wholesale and iobbing trade is
in fine condition, thanks to the enterprise
of the merchants and the activity Of our
drummer-boys.
The year was busy one for architects
and builders. Or fashionable streets quite
number Of costly residences were put
up. Houses OF moderate size and cost
were erected by the score to be rented out,
aud the demand is not vet satisfied. Main
and Broad streets have been improved by
numerous elegant stores, and the increased
business Of manufacturers caused the con-
struction Of several capacious workshops.
\ gratifying fact is that in our buildings
more and more OF architectural taste Is
shown, and the comfort OF tenants is better
consulted than formerly. The result is
that the new houses are preferred, and if
there were enough OF them the old ones
would go begging.
The city is keeping along fairly with the
march OF Improvements; but it ought
always to be in the lead. With scarcely an
exception the opening, grading, and paw
ing OF streets has been beneficial. The
city in most instances has received prompt
and direct benefits in this, that such locali-
ties ere sought by persons who wish 10
build, and taxable values are thereby im-
mediately increased.
The necessityior repaving Main street
from Fourteenth TO Eighteenth, and for
extending the paving from Fifth street to
First, is forcing Itself upon the attention of
the Council. Good progress is being made
with the Church-IIill avenue. 1t viii be a
public blessing. ShockOe-creek improve
ment was fairly under way when the cold
weather set in and stopped the work.
Thanks to the steam pump, our water sup
ply is excellent. The new pump-worke,
that were to have been finished in 1891, are
not yet in proper working order. In May
last the people, by vote, authorized the
Council to appropriate 100000 TO build a
city ball; there the project seems TO have
died. From one cause and another the
river improvement has of necessity been
carried on on very moderate scale. NIL
our educational facilities have been en-
larged during the year, and the public
schools have given satisfaction to the pub
lie.
Generally speaking, the year has been
one of health, happiness, and prosperity.
Speculation in stocks, at one time RAM
pant, received stunning blow, and there
were individual sufferers; but the check
came none too soon for the public good.
A glance at our chronology Of local
events brings freshly to mind many inter-
esting happenings. The neurology con-
tains the names OF George Wythc Num-
ford, Caroline Richings-BeInard, John
Hampden Chamberlayne, John a. Mere
dith, Leroy NJ. Lee, r. c. j.. Moncure,
James Thomas, Jr., James A. Cowardin,
Robert Ould, James Lyons, and others.
May all this caravan gone to join "the
innumerable host" dwell in perpetual
peace, and we be all the better and wiser
that they have lived.
Let us be thankful for all that we have; +;
FOR all that we have been saved from, and
NAV 1888 deal with the community as gent
Iy as did our dear departed 1882.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.