Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-13
SUNDAY. JUNE 10. 1896
Richmond's Tobacco Trade.

communication which we think Is well
worthy of the careful consideration OF the
tobacco trade Of Richmond. IL speaks
out In meeting as 10 the causes OF the
decline Of Richmond IS tobacco market
and suggests steps by which she may not
only regain Der former rank a. tobacco
centre, but command a larger aud more
profitable trade In the great staple than
she ever enjoyed. The author OF the COM
mupication il thoroughly posted IN respect
Of the vital questions be discusses. The
communication Is as follows:
To NE Editor Of the Dispatch:
TIE fact that the tobacco market OF this
city IL now very dull can DO traced In
great measure 10 the actions OF her own
manufacturers and dealers, whose Interest
II should be 10 build up this trade aud all
other commercial interests OF the city. The
most casual observer In the tobacco trade,
as we'll ~ outsiders can see that our tobacco
business has greatly changed In the past
decade. II Is not so much to the point TO
tell how Richmond has been losing her
trade AZ to point out a remedy, and that
remedy Is In concerted action, and not
without individual effort. What has Rich
mond lost. viii be asked. The answer
js-iirst, her order business, both
In bright and dark tobaccos, and
even II u could DO proved and
were admitted for the sake Of argument
that We are doing as much to-day as In some
former years, this would be no satisfactory
solution Of the question; for ID must be
borne In mind that while we are COM
paratiyely standing still other tobacco
markets In and out Of the State have been
making enormous gains, which they con-
slantly advertise 10 the world 10 our
deiriment Yet, while we are forced 10 ac-
knowledge the progressive spirit OF Tor
mer tributary markets, and rejoice IN
their prosperity, especially those within the
borders Of our State, we bave been too slow
ourselves, not thinking that we would some
day have formidable rivals In towns OF
smaller population, less capital, and
fewer railroad and manufacturing facili-
ties. Formerly we never thought OF
DanviIle, Va, rs our rival IN the markets
OF the world in leaf or manufacturing; but
look nc her to-day. Note the Richmond
Dispafch's Danylle letter OF the 10th In
slant, which says that the statistical report
for General Imboden's publication shows
that In 1885 Danviile received more money
than any market In the State for tobacco,
although Richmond told 1900, 900 pounds
more than Danyillo. We understand Rich.
mond sells great deal OF dark and CON-
mon grades, but there Is no reason why she
should not sell more bright and dark too.
But the point Is that Danville has found q
market or markets for all her goods, and
Richmond, with all her facilities, has not.
Danyille has made Other markets around
her contribute to her prosperity and well
fare, and Richmond has been self-satisfied
and spathetlc. Danvills IA reaching out
far and wide Ia all directions, extending
her leaf and manufacturing business, and,
Richmond is doing nothing
but waiting for something TO turn up. IL
Il true that the upland markets get their
bright tobaccos from first hands, direct
from the planter, which Is an advantage,
but II Is equally true Richmond should not
be contented with what loose tobacco
and other trades that comes this way
naturally rs the nearest market, and
try 10 baLdle direct from the planter
that which Is little further off from base.
There was time when planters would
have gladly shipped here direct. The
trade did not encourage this or foster II,
and now we get our brights second hand.
Outside order men 20 TO fountain head
and buy, and Richmond follows suit
I'm seli-defenee, and thus the trade
solicited and unsolicited, goes away
from Richmond. IL IL mere matter OF
time when Baltimore, with her grasping
and growing population, will be RI
val market for bright tobaccos, and Balti-
more to-day Is looking 20 that very point
by increasing her railroad facilities, and
Danville Is helping Baltimore and herself,
and Is right. II our own manufacturers
and order.men persist In sending their or
ders and buyers 70 the upland markets,
there IL no wonder that leading manufac-
turers outside do the same. They agree
there must DO some advantage in II at the
same time this Is but robbing Richmond by
her own people, and Il ut best poor policy.
We have sealed samples, guaranteed bond
ed Inspections, and all that, so that a man
may buy with confidence by sample; but
that has helped us but little. The Danvllle
drummer takes his satchel aud trunk OF
types selected by himself and goes out into
the world, old and new, and to-day secures
an order with as much confidence aud
ease as we would by any sealed aud
waxed tag aud red-tape sample from
this city, even though the formers
sample has only cotton string and
piece Of brown paper with the price on the
sample. Danville brings the trade TO her
market; Richmond invites, leads, and
gives away hers. There 10 no better or
surer way 10 build up the trade and the city
than to make the base Of transactions
right here. Get the tobacco here,
buy 1t here, manufacture aud sell
II here. Let Danville and other
markets have their profits and take their
Losses. but do not compete with other mar
kess only TO build mp q rival market TO the
detrment Of Richmond's interests.
The writer cannot help recalling the tact
Nsed by The now mammoth establishment
Of nlAckwslis- In Durham. Large ship
8 meats ol tobscco have zone from here and
other places 70 that market; but sealed sam
ME or not, when blackwell bought II wa
on condition that Durham warehouses 40
. their fees. "Ship II 10 Durham and let I
PASS through her merchants and banks
hands and l will buy your tobacco" wa
A the indueement, aud thus In great inca
sure the trade OF Durham was fostere(
and built up. II Richmond merchants anG
manufacturers 90 away from home 10 buy
Instead OF bringing and Inducing tobacco
20 come here when they can they must
not wonder that others will likewise seek
the same market IL was once otherwise.
Orders came here from all parts OF this
country and the world. Now there are few
orders on the market, and rs 10 brokers
fhey have dwindled down 10 two or three
who do any business OF note And how long
these will last nc one knows. Brokers can.
not be encouraged unless protected by the
The trade. They cannot solicit business 10
buy here when II knows our orders are
GlIed elsewhere. Our receipts Of West
Virginia tobacco direct from planters
hands have been large for years, due
much 10 the effort Of two live commission
houses. Cincinnati and Lynehburg want
ibis trade. Now, does Richmond want
- 20 to those cities 70 buy Virginia
sod West Virginia bright Icaff II she
doos. stayt 3 few brokers 10 buying In those
uarkcts and send your men to start the
boom, Aad Il will be matter OF time only
When we win get tbs West Virginia crop at
eeoond hands. IL 10 well enough TO say
~ Richmond bea jobbing market Ike New
Yogk, but we are now 30, not from choice
1xocfly, but because we have not taken I'D.
ynnlago q our opportunities TO build up
~ trade In I'll it, branches. We want
~ tie trade we can honestly get and are
eEl1flod 70 get end can handle.
IL 1obting trade II present amounts 10
Mi Danvflle viii ship here 70 Richmond
1o1rnninHion merchants, through her dealers
~ epeeuln1ers, Just such stock - orders
b pa0YIlb went taxa or when there b . J