Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-01


West Virginia, North Carolm south
Carolina. Georgia, Alabama, nncs-
zee, Eentacky, and Of tobacco, rticu-
Isrly, IN every other State Of the nion.
notwithstanding the business Furb-
ances of the year, the bulk o pods
sold equals that Of 1888. icre
il, however, a falling of Of al 4 10
per cent. in values, owing to th9 low
prices prevailing prices which in pny
lines are down to unprccedentd ig
ures.
Our merchants and drummcrs A4e
lost no territory. On the cont1y
they hove not only held on to all 9ar
own, bpt have extended their lines po
parts Of South Carolina and GcoIea
not hitherto buying Of this marl
They have worked nobly TO sustain
business interests Of this city, 4
have created a trade Of which Il
ought TO be very proud.
And this trade is an improving
trade. II doesn't 60 backward. 4
doesn't stand still. II advances each
year. II is a trade that attaches bly1
ers to this city. 1t gives employment
to 5 large number Of commercial tray-
ellers. 1t brings deal Of money and
profit TO Richmond and largely sus-
tains the railroad lines leading hence to
the markets in which our patrons live.
II is creditable TO our enterprise al
full Of reward for those who, havjk
the necessary capital and energy, I'D
the required experience, engage in
The southern country is moref;er-
tainly picking up than any secti6 Of
this land. 1t is now taking tfresh
start in life and moving onward with
higher hopes and noblcr aspiations,
and as il prospers SO will we prosper;
every good that comes to it a bless
ing upon us.
MANUFAcToRIEs
Nearly all the manufacafing centres
report that the past H4r has been
marked by diminished seduction and
reduced prices. ConSmers bought
cautiously; merchants stocked lightly,
and therefore mangfcturers had to
feel their way careklly. What they
made they had to sqI cheap and upon
narrow margins. fbcrc were excep-
tons, Of course; but the rule was over
stocked markets, kiarp competition,
bottom prices, and therefore, small
profits.
Richmond did ut enjoy immunity
from the general dprcssion, but it fell
npon her with a. less severity than
upon many othc cities. She has
wcathered the stom quite handsomely,
md while our ehibit shows a falling
,ff as comparedSith 1883, it is de-
,rease more attrbutable to the decline
N prices thant lessencd productions.
The output-tb tonnagc-was abont as
great as in tht previous year, but the
sales realized sss money.
The compnriive figures are as follows:
1883. 1884.
lishments~ "~ 7l4 III
Number OF hhds-- 1897 l5,676
Annual sales ,Oei 24,e97,5O7
The figur show well for us. 1t is
adversely tAt tries the man; it is the
storm tia tries the ship; it is hard
times thatries city. Richmond has
always siod this test, and ON every |
occasion etter than before.
We hse here now large number Of |
well-eqpped manufactures; we have
thousars Of skilled mechanics; the |
goods manufacture have high stand |
ing 10 nc markets; we have rare facil-
tiles n shipment, and we are iust in
cont1ion to ride triumphantly ON the
tide.
~ skies are bright and Frightening.
TIE FUTURE.
EFhmond now mas a population of
800. Manchester, which is sep
lrsed from us only by the river, has
7.00 more, and there are suburbs
Fich will run the total up to $4,000. |
lis good population. The people are
telligent, thrifty, and industrious,
aceable and law-aSiding. The num-
r Of church-membus is extraordina-
y great for community of this size.
ocking crimes are almost unknown,
d there has been nd occasion for cap
punishment within the jurisdiction
the city courts for furteen or fifteen
ars. The whites tnd blacks get
ing well together; Collisions between
, races, resulting I'D violence, have
ely occurred. Electons are uni
mly quiet and peadelble. Educa-
nal facilities are excelhnt and within
, reach Of all children, amd Richmond
arly improves in its attractions as a
me and in the ADVANTAGES it affords
men of business.
TRANSPORTATION FAgLITIEs.
AS railroad centre Richaond enjoys
ilities which she has not vet de-
Ioped fully. The Chcsaoeake and
no railroad, leading from lere to the
y and from. here to the Gr.at West,
steadily improving and Strengthening
lines and opening up newta-enues of :
ssenger and freight trafc. Tho
edericksburg road is the iniial link !
the great North and wcstac, and
known as one of the very " roads
this country. The AllegIntx rail