The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-15
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER Is, 1890.
oOuD OF THE STATE.

Every member Of the Chamber OF Com
merce should attend the special meeting OF
that body this afternoon. The important
business TO be decided is the proposition 10
elect as honorary members of the Chamber
prominent citizens OF the state. That this
plan is an excellent one nobody who has
carefully considered IL can doubt. Rich
mond is as dependent upon the state as Is
the state upon Richmond. The two interests
are mutual Anything affecting the welfare
of the Commonwealth is reflected IN ihe
metropolis, and vice versa. Heretofore the
Chamber has been IN indirect touch only
with the people Of tie state, and has had 10
depend largely upon particular information
given 10 its members by their customers Tor
obtaining an idea Of the wishes OF the PEG
nile outside OF Richmond The election Of
men as honorary members who are in inn
mediate contact with the farmers and mer-
chants in or near the other cities or
towns having business relations with Rich
mond will not only enable the Chamber
IN learn OF the wants Of the people more
definitely, but by giving them this token OF
its immediate interest in them will secure
them as powerful auxiliaries in the task Of
bringing about better railroad connections
and rates. Recent railroad movements IN
the state indicate that unless strong and
influential pressure is brought to bear upon
some OF the arrangements, arrangements op-
posed to the interests of Richmond, and con-
sequently OF the people Of the territory trib-
ut ,ry 10 Richmond, may be continued. The
ACQUISITION of lines already constructed,
the extension Of them and the plans for new
roads all point TO Washington, Philadelphia
and Cincinnati, not to Richmond. There
are half promises that Richmond is TO have
better connections with its territory, but no
steps seem to be taken to fulfil those indica-
tions. Better connections with Cincinnati,
Washington, Philadelphia or any other city
may appear TO benefit certain sections OF
the State. But when it is demonstrated thai
farmers and merchants may deal equally
well with the capital of the State as they
may with cities outside the State, or better,
other things being equal, they are likely TO
prefer TO deal with Richmond. But every
thing else does not appear 10 be equal, and
the greatest inequality is connected with
the railroads. The few trains on any of the
roads enjoying the privileges given them by
the people of the State and of the city
which actually start from this city or make
il terminus is sufficient commentary upon
the situation. Two plans are open to the
Chamber Of Commerce for the betterment of
the city's railroad facilities. One is to create
such a powerful public opinion all along
the line of the railroads and throughout the
whole State that greater concessions
will have 10 be made by the rail
roads. The other plan is to encourage
new lines which are already projected.
One Of these will open up the Northern
Neck counties, one southside and the other
the Valley. In either event honorary men,
bers will be able TO give great assistance
both by their wise counsel, born of actual
experience and by their influence in
their respective communities. The results |
OF the deliberations of the Chamber this af- |
ternoon will be awaited with interest by all !
Richmond business men and by the farmers |
and merchants of the State.