The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-05-23
FRIDAY, MAY 90, 1890.
ppocHrss OF RICHMOND.

Nothing is more agreeable 10 the average
man than 10 carp at the general methois y
the community in which he lives, ana nc
does this not so much in supercilious
spirit. pulled up by a consciousness VI '"-
perior knowledge, rs in sincere desire 10
stimulate the mass Of individual citizens 10
greater energy and aleriness by niue
wholesome criticism. II is all IN the iamil!'
uch a man argues. and he would probably
be the last 10 reflect upon his commuhl'! II
he were speaking 10 strangers. If we apply
a western standard 10 the progress iha'
Richmond has made, it would certainly be
pronounced "slow," but il should always
be recalled. when such a comparison Is IN
s;itnted that the astonishing growth OF the
western communities is due principally
To accessions from without. The population
of Richmond has increased by the law oil
ordinary expansions; the population Of the
Western cities has increased by enormous
additions through the agency Of immlgra-
ton, and with this increase Of population
from without, the volume Of wealth has
swelled 10 almost incalculable proportions
The wealth Of Richmond is chiefly the re
suit of internal accumulation. Little com
paratively speaking, has been added 10 II
by an overflow from other communities.
When we consider the progress which
Richmond has made, in the light Of the fact
that this progress is almost wholly due to
the activity and sagacity Of its own ciii-
zens. then that progress has been emlncntly
satisfactory. The record Of the city, SO far,
entities it TO the very highest respect. THE
TIMES ventures TO assert that there are few
towns in the West and North which. if all
that they had gained from immigration ana
investments of outside capital were left out
of account. have advanced more rapidly or
more substantially than the city Of Rich
mond. I'm one vital respect alone
does IL seem that this community
has in the past been backward in
utilizing every means in its power OF
advancing its prosperity. 1t has been too.
inactive in Offering strong inducements to.
foreign capital and population to turn them
in this direction. This city can never eX-
has diverted to itself part Of that mighty
stream of all the varied elements OF mun-
cipal wealth that has so long flowed so
steadily 10 the West. In its failure to ac
complisL this to any very important degree,
Richmond has undoubtedly exposed itself TO
critical comment. 1t has relied too much
on its own resources in the past. Ii has
appreciated too little the advantages to be
won by seeking assistance from without.
Hardly day passes that an announce
ment is not made Of the removal Of manu-
featuring plants from the North to the
South. Why does not Richmond secure
large proportion of these establishments:
As recently as the 10Th of May THE TIMES
laid before its readers the information that
the Valley Iron Works and Kline Bros a
Co., furniture manufacturers, both Of Will
Transport. Pa, had entered into an agree
ment with the West Lynchburg Company
10 transfer their whole business to the city
of Lynchburg, which would signify an ad-
dition Of one thousand persons to the popu-
Ration Of that city, and hundreds Of thou
sands of dollars TO its list Of taxable proper
~. These are only very few instances
of the many of like character that are
constantly occurring. Is there any reason
why Richmond should not be as adyanta-
geous point for such manufacturing es-
Establishments as Lynchburg; All that is
really required of il in order to secure such
establishments is to show more enterprise
in reaching out for them. Ii is not prob, I
able that they will be removed to this city
unless special inducements are offered to
those who control them. 1t is in this mat
ter that Richmond should exhibit more ac-
tiyity, especially at this time when the
stream of capital and immigration is begin
ming to flow in a larger and larger volume
Southwark.
II will be difficult to divert this stream
from the channels which it will first follow.
II ii passes by Richmond now, in all proba-
bility il will continue TO do so to an almost
equal extent IN the future. Local bOoms
are generally most disastrous and calami-
tous unless they have their origin in the
influx of outside wealth and population.
Encourage this by every practicable means. |
and boom can be started in Richmond |
that will advance her prosperity by leaps |
and bounds, and yet not jeopardize the safe
iyof a single interest.