Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-17
ACOMMERclAL CLUB.
Mr, T. a. Lamb Explains why lie Thinks
Richmond Should Have Unc.

Richmond Should Have One.
To ne Ed,ior of he Dispa'ci:
find considerable individual enterprise
and q growing, earnest desire among Mch-
mond businessmen 90 accomplish greater
results IN the material development ana
growth of your attractive and much
favored CITY, but there IS decided absence
here OF the cooperation and organization
essential in oifecting any very important
public reform or Improvement. Ihis IN
measure nav be attributed 10 the too nu
merous following of some Of your most
influential citiZons who. impressed win
the advantages which Richmond already
possesses ~ residence city, q commercial
centre. and as a favorable field for the pro-
ftable operation of new industrial enter
prises, decry any decided effort az sound
inc abroad these advantages and adver-
Using for new capital and new people 70
come here
No business firm can rely upon its
prestige alone to keep bold competitors
from invading its territory and impairng
its trade.
No southern or western city or town in
these times Of tremendous activity ana IN
cessant sharp competition can ahord 20
rely upon its attractions or advantages
however supcylatiYc they may be.
Your people anuounce continuity that
Richmond needs new railroads. now iacio-
rios. handqCmor business blocks. better
hotels. modern theatres. progressive news
papers, liberal expenditures n extending
and impr0ying her streets and street rall-
WAYS. and numerous other things; but TO
secure these wants Richmond needs most
and frat, cooperation and ORGANIZATION ior
the public gOOd-new and aggressive
measures among her own people. Do your
people want new capital ana new people
by the thousands to come 10 Richmond.
thrilling its whole financial and industrial
life with a new and strange vltalltyt There
are some who do not. but the great body
Of your workers do.
One or two hundred thousand dollars Of
foreign money invested monthly IN reai
estate or new enterprises here would very
soon bring your most staid aud conserve
tive croakcrs 10 the front hustling for every
dollar in sight Nothing 50 iucites peo-
ulc to action and achievement as the touch
Of new shoulders NJ the wheels OF q city'5
progress and the ciink Of foreign dollars
into the Golfers of those who control her
lnarts OF trade The world never had 50
much money TO invest before, and cities
never grew SO rapidly az they are growing
IN the United States today. Richmond
can double her trade and population and
wealth IN ten years # her people viii onlv
organize and work together to do 1t. Your
Chamber OF Commerce is necessary 70 your
citv's commerce. but with its limited mem
bership and manifold duties doubt If suf-
ficient enthusiasm can be infused into the
Chamber TO accomplish IN al exhaustive
and liberal way the advertisement of Rich
mond and the fOrmatiOnand establishment
of such new enterprises as ought % and
could be located here.
A commercial club could be organized
here with a thousand members paying $40
initiation fee and $40 per annum dues for
the prosecution of the special work sng-
gested Such clubs have been formed IN
Louisville, Memphis, Evansville, Kansas
CITY. and many other western cities, Old
and new. which have worked immediate
and marvellous results IN tho develop
mcnt of the wealth, beauty, and health
lunoss Of those cities. With their avail
able working funds various committees,
such as entertainment, city and county
development, State development. manu-
featuring interests. employmsnt, press,
public policy, immigration, building, real
estate, &c, they inspire cooperation and
such prompt and telling work as could
be accomplished IN no other way. Your
city must be advertised. Nomatter what the
older generations think and say, II must DO
advertised. and the younger generation
should take the initiative and follow the
than Richmond in the far West that have
spent 800, 900 in twelve months adyer-
Using their advantages to the world.
The old, quiet city Of Louisville, hanked
bv several larger cltios, fighting Tor lts
business, has increased her population 30
per cent. and her bank clearngs nearly 300
per cent. in the past ten years. In her
Commercial Club report for 1889 the Presl-
dent SAYS. Zone of the most important
IL lit Iop l,ogv, "a " laf
of the spirit of cooperation among our
business men. citizens generally, IN regard
to enterprises of "a public nature and
while two years ago IT was almost lmpos-
sible TO secure concerted action OF our
citizens in matters of public enterprise,
to-day they stand ready 10 Join hands III
any effort that tends 10 advance the vel
fare of our city" lie says further.
"In considerinCth the elements which have
contributed to the success of the CONNER
cial Club feel II my duty TO state that the
strongest element has been the Louisville
prcss. 70 II more than any other agency
our success is due. Ready at ali times and
under all cIrcumstanCCstO open ITS columns
10 our use. II has enabled ~ tOadyertse III
q manner that has been of mcalculaole
benefit, and has given us space free OF
charge that at the lowest estimate would
have cost Us ST.. 900 had we been compelled
III.
supported us editorally, and contributed
out Of the individual pockets OF ITS MEM
hers subscriptions of money to all pubic
enterprises when called upon. Truly II IS
tho most public-spirited institution IN
Louisville. In view of tins exhibition or
public spirit the businessmen of Louisville
should not be niggardlv IN their apprecId-
ton and should patromZelt by advertising
rs literally as possible. BY their SO doing
they will not only assist in maintaining our
press "a they ought, but would derive great
benefits to themselves.
In the last twelve mouths there has
been prepared by its chairman and fur
nished direct TO the press more than 400
newspaper columns of matter pertaining
to the business enterprise and growth of
the city Of Louisville. A great deal oi
This matter has been printed over and over
again low papers to which it was not sent,
so there is no estimating how many columns
of information concerning the city have
actually been printed during the year;
There have been printed and circulated
during the past year $1,000 circulars ana
DampbletS. advertising the natural re-
sources of the State Of Kentucky and the
growth and advantages OF tho city OF
louisville. under the direction OF the
Press Committee
Tho press Of Richmond is powerful and
far-reaching in its influence, and no doubt
stands ready TO lead in any great work FOR
the public good properly organized and
set on foot here. ! hope the Dispatch Will
take this matter MP and push it vigorously
before your people, who seem wiling to
work and subscribe money for the advance
ment OF tho city'S interest, that their
efforts may be rendered as effective as CO.
onarstton md perseVerance can make