Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-02
RICHMOND'S GROWTH
OBSERVATIONS ON THE ANNUAL STA
TlS-iCAL ExhleiT.
Interviews with Number OF Citizens on
the Striking Features Of tho
Ncw-Yesr's Showing.

There were not great many business
men down town yesterday. but Dispatch
reporter making his rounds was lucky
enough to find some. all of whom be asked
how they liked the city's annual exhibit
and what feature Of it struck them as most
encouragingr
Mr.. Joseph Bryan answering this ques-
ton and speaking of Richmond generally
said: My attention has been specially
called to the real estate aud locomotive
and machine-works of Richmond. In
real estate the improvement of vacant in
terror lots has been marked. and the en-
HANGED values of all suburban property has
been pronounced, and seems to be very
solid Builders have been pressed to
give homes to eager occupants. In the
machine-works the progress has been
most notable and equally astonishes
both home and foreign visitors. The fa-
cilities for all kinds of heavy work are un-
surpassed. except perhaps at Midvale
and Bethlehem. The character of heavy
locomotives turned out have won tho
highest praise from the most competent
judges.
The capacity of the works has grown
from $500, 900 TO 81 .000, 600 per anfum with
in less than two years.
Northern iron-workers. after seeking to
participate in the Texas" contract for
certain heavy castings supposed to be be:
yond our capacity. have, after inspection OF
the works, declared that we had no need of
them.
One encouraging feature of the good
omens for Richmond is the confidence felt
in It's great future by outsiders. Ii Is not
uncommon to hear the best-informed men
of all sections of the country express the
opinion that Richmond is bound to be q
great city.
We sadly need frst-class modern hotel
to accommodate such persons who might
wish to make personal inspection OF the
attractions of our town.
Mr.. b. NJ. Quarles: The most desirable
thing is the Improvement of our street-car
lines-to give TO our extended real-estate
improvement facilities to reach the ex-
treme suburbs of the city in all directions.
There il au increasing demand for homes
in our midst to suit the purposes of me
chanlcs who are pressing TO Us to fill our
largely-increasing shops. Let such houses
be well planned to give comfort and con-
venience to wives of white mechanics from
the North. Last. but not least, let us have
q first -class hotel.
Mr.. Charles T.. Wingo: II is hard to say
what feature most pleases me. | have been
delighted to see from the Dispatch the
steady improvement III the manufacturing
and jobbing trade, as well as in other di-
roctious. Considering the unprecedented
rains of ihe spring and summer season and
the early frost in the cotton section. Rich
mond may feel proud of the increase in
her iobbing and manufacturing business.
Mr.. James II. Capers: L am greatly
pleased with the increase in manufacturing
establishments Of all kinds aud the steady
advance in the wholesale trade of our city.
The marked improvements in property IN
the East and West Ends of Richmond and
increase in real estate values show glor-
Gus future. But nothing shows more
marked improvement and activity than the
Daily Dispatch. 1t is indeed a live paper.
Mr.. Richard l.. Brown; | am glad to see
Richmond 50 prosperous as reported IN the
Dispatch. | am much pleased with the
iobbing and manufacturers reports, and
substantial buildings in course of construc-
ton. This speaks volumes for the pros
perity of our city. We are badly IN want
of small houses. The outlook for the
coming year Is bright.
Mr.. Howard Swineford: | am most
pleased with the showing of the manufac-
turing output for the year. | have Tor
many years thought the material prosperi-
ty and increase of population of the city
ueDeDucN upon lnt AilcItdoC Va Jul feAiNNs
manufacturing interests.
The future wealth and substantial
growth of property values hinge upon the
variety and quantity of manufactured
articles.
Mr.. +. III. Deane: The general prosperity
is exhibited in the good standing and
credit of the mercantile community as a
whole; the growth of the manufacturing
industries, and the natural contentment
and well-to-do condition OF the mechanics
and laboring classes. Hence II the mer-
chants and manufacturers are prosperous
the city is bound to grow.
Mr.. George ID. Thaxton: OF course. the
showing | like best is that of the jobbIng
trade. Many of our houses have more than
doubled their business. This | attribute
in part to the development of different in-
dustries in the southern States. That IS
the territory covered by our travellers:
Mr.. Lewis II. Blair: In my opinion there
are no specially-encouraging features. In
the past year Richmond has enjoyed only
moderate prosperity and / see no reason
for expecting anything better of 1890.
Mr.. j. s. Moore: The most encouraging
feature is the fact that Richmond has ex-
tended her territory by seeking trade in
new fields. There have also been many
new enterprises opened up that promise
well and make the outlook for new year
brighter.
Mr.. J. b. Jearess: | have been struck
with the rapid increase Of the population
of this city. The business outlook for this
wear i good. Richmond iobbers are more
than gratifed with last years business.
More territory was covered by our young
men on the road.
Mr.. Charles I. Watkins: The jobbing
trade has been extended to considerable
new territory with fair success. The out
look is encouraging. But for bad seasons
last wear the jobbers would have shown
better reports. [ have been struck with
the increase in our population. .
Mr.. Mann ;. Quarles: The increase OF
business in the banks Of the city - evil
denced by their reports showing large
gains In surplus deposits, &c, and the
farce bank clearings for the year 1889 show
very conclusively the increase of the
volume of business.
Mr.. W. ]. johnson: | have been sur
prised at the rapid growth OF the cheroot
business and am pleased at the success OF
the iobbing trade Gnd the large increase III
the amount Of deposits in the banks,
which indicate prosperity in business.
Mr.. ". II. Urquhart; l have been de-
lighted to see the rapid growth OF our
business people last year and think that
the one thing that will now do MS the
Western railroad here.
Mr.. L. l.. Alfrend: | regard the hand
some increase in manufactures as the most
promising feature in the Richmond OF 1889.
In my opinion, we must look to our manu-
factures for our greatest prosperity in the
future.
Colonel W. r. Darlington: | am i'm
pressed with the rapid growth or the
iobbing trade and much pleased with the
improvements of our streets. In the to-
bacco trade our businessmen have made
money.
Captain Charles f. TAYLOR: A casual
glance ut the Dispatch proves to my mind
that the city Is on a boom. am very
happy. May her prosperity continue to
grow is my New-Year's wish.
Mr.. A. L. Donnan: The general gro xth
OF the city, its manufacturing interests,
increased showings of our banks, and the
number Of buildings going up all over the
city.
Mr.. Robert c. Morton have been more
than pleased with the annual statements OF
trade in your paper. Richmond's business
is improving at the expense of Baltimore.
sfr. James w. Allison: The great number
of buildings that have been erected and
the scarcity OF desirable houses strike me
as the great feature. i,
Mr.. Joseph w. Blapton: / am surprised
AT the rapid growth of the city and the
Iarge number Of new buildings going up. :
Mr u Carr of Carr * Dickinson: 1