The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-20

= euoMSelVe6 anu tnelr fciatlvoS OUT OF
the State, and put $780, 600 into land
there at the first sale. This largo trans
sction attracted universal attention to
Salem and outside capital poured in
almost unsolicited.
~ is n shame that such statement
should be made public. The merchants
of Baltimore ought to know that this
country is, to a certain extent, tribu-
tary to Baltimore and will pour into her
golfers volume of business greater
than any manufacturing establishment
situated in the city. From tho very
nature of things, the prosperity of Vir
ginia means the prosperity of the whole
sale business OF Baltimore.
s'To one who has watched the history
OF accumulated capital of late years, its
movement into this direction is natural.
Here in Virginia are found all tho re-
quisites OF civilization. The iron ore
is hero from which is wrought all man
ner Of products; the coal is hero to re-
duee the iron; the limestone is here,
and the broad fields for agriculture to
sustain teeming population. Other
products OF the earth arc in abundance,
and the beginning of our development
into q vast manufacturing region is at
hand.
t'The West, or rather those portions of
1t which arc purely agricultural, do not
offer that diversity which capital de-
mandS to make investment perfectly
safe. This money has boon largely
withdrawn from that country because
OF the uncertainty of tho returns from
it, and is either being boarded or in
{ vested in sections like this. which offcr
every element of safety.
''1he Argentine Republic has been
abandoned by foreign capital by reason
OF it's insecurity, which insecurity arises
from tho fact that the country in ques-
ton is purely agricultural. That CAPT
tai is now seeking Investments and
there are no opportunities afforded any
where for safe and liberal dividends liko
Z this region, endowed by nature with
tho richest deposits OF coal and iron,
the basis OF civilization.
1T looks as though Mr. Suppleo en-
tertained the idea that Baltimore must
be- sustained at tho expense OF tho
death Of all the growing interests OF
the South. Mr.. Supplee would kill the
goose that lays the golden egg.
ut does not seem to mo the part of
wisdom to attack tho foundation or tho
South's now hope; that section which
to-day is attracting the attention OF the
world and is now acting as n magnet TO
draw the thought and money of thou
sands who look for solid investments in
countries which afford diversified oppor-
tunities.''
WHAT MIR. LUDWIG HAS TO SAY.
y. Is. Ludwig: Baltimore possibly
furnishes per cent. of the capital in
vested in Southwest Virginia; certainly
not more 1 will also say that if any
reputable business man of Baltimore
shows to me that he has lost any
money through investment in Roanoke,
! will mako good that loss myself, and
will take off the hands of the dissatis-
fled one any holdings he may have
here.
s.lt is well known among business
men that Baltimore is eminently con-
servative in business vcntuyes, and its
capitalists rarely act consertedly in
y -cb enterprises as have Becn inaugu-
years. They g an as individuals, and
to limited extent 1 recall one in
stance where a certain company was
organized of late with capital stock of
81 100000. Baltimore's subscription to
this was $4,000, Philadelphia share
was 100000, and this is the true pro-
portion of relative subscriptions
between the two cities, and of tho two
cities to Southwest Virginia"
NORFOLK MANS OPINION.
Walter Sharpe, of Norfolk, pro-
moter of and leading man in business
enterprises in that city, was interviewed
by representative of THE TIMES upon
the subject. Mr.. Sharpe is thoroughly
conversant with the subject, man of
affairs, and one who succeeded in caus-
ing the corporate limits OF Norfolk to
be extended nearly to Lambert's Point.
lie is the originator of and prime mover
in the organization of tho Virginia
State Real Estate Exchange. He is an
old resident Of Baltimore, and condemns
the utterances OF Mr.. Supplce in the
strongest terms.
''Mr. Supplee," said he, sis apt to get
ON the wrong side of important mat
ters. and his statements should carry
no weight. The fact that land is
cheaper within two miles of the City
Hall OF Baltimore than it is within the
Same distance OF tho business center of
Roanoke, as stated by Mr.. Supplee, is
an evidence of want of enterprise on
the part of Baltimore merchants; they
are afraid of one another and afraid of
themselves"
The bankers generally express tho
sentiments OF Mr.. Trout, above, and say
that they do but little business. com
paratiyely, with Haltimore's fiscal in
stitutions, and say that the evidences of
their transactions with Maryland chief
city is that it has made money largely
through its Investments here. Tho
money, in the judgment of the bankers,
is nov largely coming from Philadel-
, adelphia and New England and is for
the purpose of erecting plants for man
ufacturing purposes strictly,
1t is matter of general opinion
about town by those calculated to know
that investments made of late by Balti-
more parties is with profit derived
from previous speculations here
The Virginia Rrewinp Comnanv ic ,