The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-24
THE KORTH-SIDE YIADUCT.
Its Opening Yesterday With Appropriate
Ceremonies.
HOWITZERS SALUTE OF FIFTY GUNS.
liayor Ellyson Makes an Appropriate Ad-
drcss-Dccoration and Description
of the Structure.


afternoon in accordance with the arrangements
made by the managers
Tho structure is a very fine one and forms the
most direct connection between this city and
Chestnut Hill.
The road-bed is made Of heavy timber, which
rests on a substantial iron super-structure.
On the east side of the yiaduct gangway
has been provided for foot passengers and on
the west side a single track for streei-car Inc
10 give some outward signs of the opening
OF the thoroughfare to the public an afch had
been erected on each end OF the bridge, Whlch
was covered with bunting and evergreen.
The arch on the southerly end OF thc BRUCE
have in gold letters the inscription "frogIesis,
and that on the nOrthery END was III sllLlIhr
manner decorated with Success:
IL was nearly B clock III the afternoon when
8 number Of buses and private cQnVeyances
started from the postoffce with the invited
The procession was headed by the Stewart
Horse Guards, mounted.under the command OF
The officers and directors Of the North,side
Land Company followed in coaches. Mayor Ely,
son. the members Of the Board OF Aldermen ana
Common Council Colonel CutshaW ana otheI
city officials were among the invited guests
On Broad and Eighth streets the hoWltIers
fell in. mounted, between tho Horse uuarus anu
the carriages.
THE CEREMONY.
When tho procession reached the south end
ofthe yiaduct they we're received by Voelker's
band, which led the march across the bridge
Near the north end of the yiaduct a platform
had been erected for tho speakers ana invited
guests. The artillery and cavalry took positions
northwest of the stand
CAPTAIN Anglo, Sergeant Cosby and a number
of policemen of the second police station were
MAYOR Norman v Randolph, president of the
North side Land and Improvement CompaM,
iIieay adore sed tie crowd and stated thai
some time ago, when the work on the Nladuct
was begun, some people suggested that ~ Would
have been advisable 10 have cornerstone lay
However, the officers Of the company did not
favor this plan, hut prepared TO show the people
first what they could do, by carrying out the
ii was therefore decided to celebrate its com
pletion by public opening exercises ana Qrier
10 make the occasion still more solemn, Mayor
Ellyson had been invited TO make the opening
Mayor J. Taylor Ellyson then stepped TO the
front and delivered an address TO the assem-
lie stated that he only voiced the pleasure Of
al who had gathered for this happy OCCASION,
and that be was proud of the city OF hlchmoni
for her past and present, while he was hopeful
OF her future, which was 50 rich IL promise.
BUsTLING ENERGY.
Sometimes II was said that the people of Rich
mond did not possess that busting energy OF
some of her younger sister cities, but the prog
ross during the past twenty-five wears had been
n miraculous one. o.,
At the close OF the war this city had been with
out almost everything except that dauntiess
spirit that inspired her men and women Ill
1855.
AZ that time the city had only 5000 inhabi-
tants, whllg now the census gave hcr more thah
5000 population.
Then there was no banking capital in this
city, while the banks OF Richmond now repre-
Bented capital of hve millions. -
In 1858 the taxable property represented hardly
twenty millions while II now reached hity-hVe
Then the manufacturing establishments were
few, while at present the number Is 800, rep
resenting capital OF Sl6,OU,OOO, and giving en-
ploymcnt TO 22,0OO people.
This city certainly was not behind in the
march of progress; her climate was as salubrl-
GUS as that of any other city on tins contlnonti
her educational advantages were conceded by all
and her seventy churches were surrounded by
1000 COMMITMENTS
Her present attractions were not in the reach
of many communities, and the city gave en-
ploynent to more than One-fOurth OF the pop
ulation III her manufacturing establishments.
All that Richmond needed at present was more
faith IN her resources ana more advertising OF
her many advantages.
In speaking of the North inside viaduct, Mayor
EnysOn pointed to the degree of courage which
the carrying out Of such an undertaking re
qdlrod.
1t necessitated large outlay of money, but
would certainly bring It's projectors the heart
lie was glad to welcome in this city men Of
Drawn. of brain and capital but II gave HIM
moro than ordinary gratlncutlon that hc could
declare that the men who cOunlvcd and carried
out this undertaking were liichmond's own citi-
zens, some of them OF very large wealth, but
rich III their achievements.
This city would soon expand in every direc-
ton, and an easy and rapid transit would ic
given to all parts Of the city. lhe time would,
therefore. be near when the happy homes OF
Chestnut hill, Highland Park and Richmond
would only form part Of this beautiful city.
AT the close Of Mayor Lllysons address the
Hovitzers fired a salute Of nifty guns. under
command of Captain Hutchinson, and the open
ing exercises came 10 q close.
The banquet.
About O'Clock last evening the officers and
directors of the company and about ~ prom
inent citizens Of lhchmand sat TO banquet at
l1ZZlnls.
For an hour or SO the company was kept busy
by paying the strlctest attention 10 the various
ATTRACTIONS OF % select bill of fare.
After coffee and cigars had been passed
around, Mayor klyson arose, and in greeting
the large assemhlage stated that under Ordl-
nary circumstances he would consider himself
very fortunate 10 preside al such gathering;
On tins OCCASION his duty was n sad one, be-
cause Major Norman v Randolph, the president
OF the organization, had been called away by
the extreme illness Of his mother.
Under the circumstances he thought that he
voiced the sentiment of every one present IN
tendeIing tho afflicted the most sincere sympa-
Thy Of the gathering.
lie was glad, however, TO be able TO assure the
corporation that he reJOiced IN their success.
What they had done, they dad because they
had faith IN Richmond and believed that thls
city VAS destined TO become one OF the great
cities OF the South, and for this reason they had
been willing 10 put thor money IN such an en-
terprlse.
Al the suggestion of the managers of the
company, Mayor EllysOn called on MIR. J. G..
l1cktrson. president of the Board Of Aldermen,
10 respond to tho toast The City Council
CITY COUNCIL"
Mr.. Dickerson spoke OF the three legal legis-
latlye bodies, the National Congress, the state
Legislature and the municipal Council. and
pointed tC the Importance OF tho last named
Lody Tor the lnhabitonts of city.
That organization WAS empowered by law TO
]eRislato IN domestic affairs, and was therefore
Of more interest TO the residents OF a CITY md
had more control over them, than the other two
legislative bodies.
40 do this, aud 20 do il as il should he done.
required great deal OF time aud labor or the
part of the individual membcrs.
AZ the close OF his remarks Mr.. DickCrson
advised the representatives OF the NOrth-siIe
Land Company 20 Uuld up their territory and
enjoy Il a. a villa site, and when. IN the future.
they should grow tired Of II aud desire 10 yet
city improvements, Che city would be III better
condition 10 take them in.
CHAMBER or COMMERCE
Colonel John b. Cary, who was asked TO reply
10 the toast Tho Chamber Of Commerce.
started out with the prospects OF this city, aud
assured the SSsemblage that within compare
uVey lew year, m the present corporate limits
would be enclosed q population OF sQIUlOuCoule
lie then spoke OF the influence of the Cham
Yer OF commerce IN iurtheung the interest of
THIS CIV IN quiet and transformations wav the
members Of which tOllod ceasclessly TO mako
tins city habltauon OF peace, of plenty and OF
happiness.