Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-26

What Can We Do for Richmond?
Is it not possible TO increase the num-
Der OF manufacturing establishments
here?
Newborn towns are getting them
from the North and the West getting
them by inducements not half SO good
as those we are able to offer.
1t seems 10 us that If We will We can
bring hero dozens of new lines of manu-
factures-some small, others large, but
all useful and needful TO give TO this city
the desired roundness and completeness
asa business centre.
II does not appear that we have many
free sitos to offer; nor should We do 81
some other Virginia cities do, offer ex-
emption from taxation for q series OF
years, bat We can do something vast
deal better-we can take large amounts
of stock in new enterprises. and this,
after ali, is the most needful thing. II
We awake proper enthusiasm and 90 to
work to advertise our advantages and
bring investors here and then introduce
them to our people and assist them III
getting stock-subscriptions we can de-
velop this city in a way that will be OF
permanent advantage.
Hundreds of our citizens are engaged
in helping other localities in this way.
They do i; because they hope for
ample and speedy returns. This, too,
while they think vast deal more Of Rich
mond and OF the reliability of Richmond
investments than OF other towns and
other investments
We are not going to insist that our
men Of means should keep all their
money here. To do it would be useless
and to expect it would not DO business
Ike
Investors viii go where they think
they can do best, but as to what is best
there is a great difference of opinion.
Some people buy Government bonds.
The interest paid is small but the So
curity is first-class. Others buy specu-
lative stocks and take great risks, ex-
pecting big profits. So too, with town
lots-the greater the risk the greater the |
profits expected. We think that in
Richmond the happy mean can be struck.
Investments here are not only secure
but pay well. We have in Richmond
and Manchester $4,000 inhabitants &C
cording TO the census according to our |
calculation 100000, and We have manu-
factories with an annual product of |
$50, 900, 900 and jobbing houses with an
nual salos OF $50, 100000, and we build
600 or 700 houses every year many OF
them OF imposing appearance and OF
great size. And yet the prices of real
estate arc not excessive. Five years ago
they we're astonishingly low. In 1889
there was tendency TO rush them up TO
high figures, but all extravaganza was
checked 10y timely expression from a
leading citizen, whose intelligence is
everyw acre recognized and whose into
rest in the community none can doubt
He did us all timely and valuable ser
vice, and since then, while there has been
a steady increase III values, ithas been in
proportion to our growth in population
and business. So we are getting along
very we'll indeed; but not as we'll as We
will if We can induce our people proper
ly to appreciate the possibilities of Rich
mond in connection with present oppor-
tunitiss Suppose Richmond people
had expended in behalf OF her de-
velopment one third of the money and
energy they have bestowed in this way
upon other places. Had they done so
we would to-day have population of
100000 These are facts that can hardly
be disputed and the question is, Are We
70 continue TO ignore our possibilities
Surely not. Much time has been lost
land it can never be regained), bat it viii
be folly to delay longer and lose more.
Shall We 60 on in our old way or shall
We rouse up and adopt the methods that
have developed Norfolk, Roanoke, and
scores OF smaller but not less ambitious
and enterprising places in this Common
wealth
What do you say?
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