The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-01
orr nUsrNEss OUTLOOK.

.,,.,ns.nt aroma every where in this country
I, conjunction with short crops in Europe
will Estave of this. yesr-which might De
called the farmers year"-the disastrous
effects flowing from the present high tam.
Nearly ten millions of thesgold recently
drained to Europe are already on the way
back. and all O. IL must return for the pur-
chase of agricultural products absolutely
needed by the distressed Europeans. Ihis
changed condition Of things, therefore, us
sipates any fears of great financial panic
that seemed 50 lately exceedingly imminent
Big crops have the power OF distributing
money in a most benefcent manner on III
sides. in the country as in the towu. Capl-
talists and laborers all get share To-Day
the railroads. far and wide. are assured OF
heavy business, and the hum OF manufac-
turing and all other industries is again max
ing itself heard. McKinIey's stunning blow
at the whole American people has oeeh
warded of by favoring circumstances.
With peculiar strong hold on Southern
trade. Richmond is sure Of reaping It's ful
share of these benefits. Our city ls not only
pushing its trade vigorously into the tribu-
tary territory Of Virginia and the Carolinas'
but also over the entire South because our
merchants thoroughly understand ns
wants and are well equipped for satisfying
them. They have proved that they know
how 10 hold good customers, and much lies
in the assduous cultivation OF this knowi-
edge. Indeed there are the best Of reasons
for believing that they will keep up with the
inevitable requirement of the times, wnich Is
ineessant progress. Not very long ago. about
a couple Of decades. large branches OF Ing
lsh trade were undermined by an excessive
reliance on the time-honosed English sohdity
and inherited practices to the neglect OF arts
tic tastes and less heavy styles tha'
had been suddenly introduced by france
but as soon a. the English merchants saw
their deficiencies they set 70 WolA'
at immense cost and trouble. to place them
selves on the new plane. and have now geineo
more than their former supremacy IN these
special branches. Similarly orr own meT-
chants would make great mistake 10 rely
solely on past methods of operating forthey,
too. are required to look ahead and stand on
the IlOSL COMPREHENSIVE bAS' 4N">-'A-
advancement Of their interests. Both the
strategy and tactics of business need constant
attention and oyerhauliBg.
As a csntre for manufactures and distriDu-
ton of merchandise Richmond is peculiarly
favored by its geographical situation. 1t pos
sesses the advantage over tho Northern cen
tres Of interior short lines. Not only does It's
nearness to the South lessen the cost Of
freight. but thanks to its cheap water trans
portation. il is enabled to fill its stores with
superior goods at minimum freight rates not
otherwise to be procured. Moreover, point Of
considerable weight lies in the fact that Rich
mond's stocks of goods are specially selected
by experts to suit the tastes and ways Of
purchasers in the South. Thus profit, habit,
and the sentiment of dealing with home"
houses have united to build up our prosper
ing and advancing trade.
Summing up the present outlook, 1t IS
matter for congratulation and pride that
Richmonds trade, based on an enduring
foundation, is daily gaining soiidity, its pro-
portions looming higher and brighter.