Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-01
GENERAL BUSINESS.
SUMMARY OF OUR COMMERCIAL AND
MANUFACTURING PROGRESS.
The JobbinC Trade EKtrnded-New In
dustries Started-A bright Outlook
for the Coming Year.
president John h. Purcell ot the Chamber Of
tefpunarre


for the Coming Year.
president John y. Purcell ot the Chamber Of
CGmmerce.l
The present year opened with very
bright prospect for business in all
branches. but the long-continued rains.
foods. and other causes which arose have
undoubtedly contributed 10 lessen our
reasonable expectations. but these draw
backs, applying TO the whole country
alike, do not argue that Richmond has
been laggard. On the contrary, the reports
we have show such decided increase in
the volume of business that we may again
congratulate ourselves on a steady, grow
Ing prosperity.
TIE JoBBIYG TENDF.
Ou- jobbing trade will show healthy in
crease over the past year. and while holding
our old trade we have been gathering new
business in more distant fields. Tho rail
road tonnage, the best indication OF the
volume OF business, is much larger than for
.lSSS. showing that more goods were shipped
from Richmond. The railroad earnings,
dependent in a large measure on the trade
of Richmond, are larger than ever this
"
dltIon OF trade generally than we could
have expected, and this would have been
larger except for tho great damage to crops
during the summer.
INTO NEW FIELDS.
The extension of our trade becomes less
| difficult each year, and the more distant
| points in the South begin 10 see the adj
vartages Of this market in lower freight
| rates and quicker tiUe, both OF which are
| largely in favor of Richmond to all points
reached by the associated railwa, of Viz
ginin and the Carollnas, whose lines extend
/ now into the States of Georgia, Mississippi,
Florida, and Alabama.
Among our manufactures great activity
! has prevailed, and we are to be congratu-
lated tnat all Of our iron industries have
| been running full time during the year,
and while continuing in old lines they are
| varying their productions. which now
number railroad locomotives as well as
other kinds OF engines, boilers, n lroad
| spikes, nails, hOrscshoos, and stfeetralway
cars, which ara being sent % ell parts otthe
Union.
cHEHOOrs AND cIGAITTEs.
The cigarette-fact0ries have increased
their production aud find markets all over
the world.
The chcr0ot business. which q few years
$50 was unknown, has reached proportions
which make II one Of the principal Of our
manufacturing industries. The increase
! this year Is over G0per cent.
These twO industries. with the paper-boX
factories, give employment TO very large
number OF girls. thus aIording clet to the
mechanics family and causing an influx of
population which is enabled to become
self-suppo The demand for female
labor is greater than the supply.
BANRING BUSINESS.
Our banking facilities are of the best
character. and money mas been easy for
most of the wear. There have been times
of sirlngcncy, but the policy OF our banks
has been Of the most favorable nature
towards our business people, and their
wants nave been fully supplied at reasona-
bic rates. The bank ciearances show an
| increes, of about $4,000. 900 over last year.
and now for the first time IN our his
tory have run into billions. The increase
IN 1885 was about SlO,OOJOO0.
NEW ENTERPRISES.
Among tho new enterprises may be
classed railroad building. Of the total
new railroad tracks laid from January /,
1888, 10 September 1, 1899, A per cent was
laid in the South. Virginia was third on
the list. and between the dates named had
COMPLETED l7G miles of new track.
The Farmville and PCwhatan railroad
was opcn for business December 23d as
far as the Cumberland line. thus giving a
quicker aud more direct route 10 that vail
= t-1lo section of country.
The Richmond LucOiaotiye-Worksn nave
cured the contract fCr the boilers and
engines Of the battle-ship Texas, which
viii necessitate the enlargement OF their
plaut. at the samo time showing our capacl-
ties for such large and skiltul work by
our own mechanics.
The Tredecar Company has added large
| hOr r.esh0e plant 10 their works, with II
present capacity of 20) Segs daily.
The Richmond Standard Splke-Works-
with q paid-up capital Of $4,000, com
mcuced this year the manufacture Of rail
roalspikes, employing over $50 hands and
| a present capacity of 300 kegs daily.
The Richmond Chemi cal-Norks for the
manufacture of acids and fertilizers, en-
ployng $3.50, 900 capital and 50 hands, has
| been i'm full operation for the past month.
The Virginia Oe-Mauufactunng Com
panr commenced in August last with q
| paid-up capital of $4,000, employing 40
! hands. They navo a capacity Of 800 pair
| of shoes per day. They make wOman's
| calf oil-grain, and pebhle-grain shoes,
! such as are known to the trade as home
made
The Virginia Pharmacal Company was
| started this year with capital Of $4,000.
! They supply 10 druggists and physicians a
| r,lirtle line of pharmaceutical prepara-
| tons rs cheaply rs they can be produced
! elsewhere Their success is most graft
| flying.
| Tie Nolandine Company, with a good
! cauital. and the 4. B. G. Chemical
| Company. with a capital oS 100000, were
! both commenced last year. for the pur-
pos Of manufacturing medicinal prepara-
! tlCns.
| Anoncthe new industries which will be
! inaugurated during this year ] am IN
| formed that the Midlothian Coal Company
| viii resume operations ~ once, prepared
| t. raise 800 )O0 tOpa daily.
| The Lehigh Car-Spi.pg Company have
| secured lOcat.On and vii. at once pro-
ceed TO establish works tot the manutac-
ture of all kinds Of cat and wagon
The outlook for the year is reasona-
| blv good and with the work now being
| done by the Chamber OF Commerce we
| Will bring capitalists from other sections
| TO see our uueEceptonable advantages Tor
| manufactures OF ali kinds.
THE ADVANTAGES.
| Low taxes. cheap freight-rates, proximity
| to the fast-developing South, together VIII
| all the natural advantages, point to Rich
mOnd as the most favorable location Tor the
establishment of such plants.
! Those enterprises mentioned have been
| put on foot and operated with our own
| home capital. This year VIII doubtless
witness their growth and expansion IN a
steady and profitable increase Of business.
Failures in business have been slightly in
| excess Of last year. but not greater than
| the proportion 20 the general increase Of
| business. Notwithstanding the heavy
| losses by floods and rains in our agricul-
tural districts the outlook for the coming
wear is bright. With an earnest coOpera-
ton on the part of all of our citizens the
next year can be made to show the same
| gratifying increase Of business.
GRAIN AND COTTON MARKETS.