Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-18

pulse to the work of erecting new resi-
a. nces throughout the city, and as one
item indicating building operations. 1t may
be noted that last year 3ere was Inspected
here 37,O50,O56 feet OF lumber.
FIBE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE.
The Richmond Fire Department is
thoroughly organized and composed OF
the best Of material, and there is COM
plete ire-alarm and telephone system IN
the city. The material of the police force
il exceptionally fine also, and the perfect
manner i'm which they manage crowds on
the occasion of popular demonstrations
has frequently elected the highest en-
comiums from strangers. 1t must be
borne in mind. however. that this IS due
to some extent 10 the fact that the COM
munity is essentially law-abiding.
FOREIGN POPULATION.
Richmond has considerable foreign-born
population, but taking it by and through
IL is a most substantial and desirable
element "A bread-winnng, publlc-splr-
tied element. We have none of the
poletariat of Europe, and do. not
want them. Tho community of IN
terest between the natiye-born clti7
zens and the foreign-born Is marked, and
some of our most influential citizens arc
numbered among the latter. The country
round about Richmond offers superior IN
ducements for immigrants with small capl,,
tai who desire to pursue farming, ana
there Is in our shops growing demand
for skilled labor
TIE RETAIL TRADE.
Richmond is the retail market for large
section of the surrounding country. On
all the railroad lines accommodation trains
are run on schedules that permit the peo-
pie of the neighboring towns and farming
districts 10 come into the city after break
fast and leave in time TO get home for tea.
This. in addition TO the homo trade, puts
an immense amount OF money into clrcu-
latiou. The Richmond retail merchants
meet fully the demands upon them
not only in the matter of variety
OF stocks, but in the elegance and
spaclousness of their establishments.
They yield the palm TO none IN these re-
spects. Broad street principal retail
street of the city-can boast OF some retal
baZaars that would put to blush many
similar establishments in northern cities;
These establishments are accessible To all
parts of the city by the street-car lines
AMUsEYESTs, &C.
Richmond has two principal places OF
amusements, the Richmond Theatre and
Mozart Academy; three large CLUBS IN Ope-
ration-the WestmOreland, the Rlcnmond,
and the Mercantile, and another organized
(the Commonwealth and awaiting the
completion OF its building. II has ample
public halls for the meetings OF orders, So
eieties, and benevolent associations. Inc
library facilities are the State Library, the
Young Mems Christian Association Libra
~, and the Rosemary Library. III IS de-
signed TO make the latter pubic EOrary
that Will be a credit to any community,
and steps are taking that insure that con-
summation. The society of Rlchmond Is
refined, cultivated, and musical, and no
people have, so TO speak. greater sources OF
recreation and amusement within them
selves. There are here numerous socIal'
literary, and musical clubs.
THE MARKETS.
Our markets are well and abundantly
supplied. Our railroads traverse the finest
grazing sections of the State. putting beet'
cattle, and sheep here at the lowest prices.
We are near enough to the sea to secure
all of its luxuries, while the territory I'M
mediately adjacent yields prolihciy IN the
way Of fruits and vegetables
All the railroad lines centrlng at Rich
mond connect. On the Atlantic Coast Line
the heavy through freight North and South
is carried around the city over belt
track, aud the Chesapeake and Ohio will
soon construct similar link to connect
their James-River division with their main
stem, thus relieving their yards OF large
amount of traffic that interteres with the
handling Of local freight. AHent Richmond
railroads 1t is worthy Of remark that they
showed in 1890 an immense increase over
1889 in tonnage, earnings, expenditures In
bettermentS, and number or passengers
moved.
EXPANSION.
The result of these conditions and in
fuences has been a very decided terrl-
torisl expansion Of Richmond beyond ITS
corporate limits, particularly during the
last few years. Increased population and
the consequent absorption in the city by
buildings OF supdhuous lots and parts OF
lots has created demand Tor suburbah
residences. and now Richmond is spread
ing east, west, and north. while her sister
| city, Manchester. is also expanding IN
every available direction. Tho topography
here rs such that all the Richmond an
nexes are of piece with tho city in re-
spect of natural conditions for drainage,
advantages of pure air. and pleasant
scenery. West OF the city there Is an ex-
tensive plateau With gentle rise. for
miles. This plateau sweeps around 70
the northward and to the eastward.
The northern plateau Is separated from
the city by a rasine. which has been al