Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-01
GENERAL BUSINESS.
WHAT SHE HAS DONE, 10 DOING,
AND SHOULD 90.
Our Jobbipg Trade observation-disclosures
Banking Business-Ths Growth
OF tho City, Etc.
tFor tho Dispstcn by member Of the Chamber
OF COmm mmorcr.l


spite of the funds absorbed by outside
ventures and the prolonged and severe
stringency in financial centres. should be q
matter of sincere congratulation. and
would seem 10 indicate not only the firm
footing of our home enterprises. but also
the prosperous condition of the people and
markets with which they have their prin-
cipal dealings.
THE JoBBrSo TRADE.
The aggregate sales of the jobbing trade.
which increased from S27 ,405, 900 in 1883 70
S29, 900 in 1899, il is estimated, will
reach in 1890 at leas. S32. 1000. 900, more
than the average yearly increase since
1880, and the output of the manufacturing
establishments, it IL thought, will exhibit
a similar If not greater gain over previous
records. The number of new enterprises
established during the period under con-
sideration Is not so large as 1t should be,
but good many have been started. in-
cluding some Of considerable magnitude,
and many of those already in existence
have made important additions to their
facilities and capacity to meet growing
demand for their goods.
BANKING BUSINESS.
The bank clearings. which for twelve
months estimating clearances for Decem-
Der, 1880, at same as December, 1889 show
an increase of S2,7Ss. 1920, or total OF
gill, ,207, ,9i3. 81, aud the gross earnings of
the railroads entering the city and the ton
mage movement are also favorable indica-
tions of the years business.
oUg GROWTH.
The growth of the city and population
are equally significant, about 939 houses
having been erected in the corporate limits
during the year. and the number Of names
in the last city directory (Which names are
usually multiplied by 1-t0 in computing
population being 1854 in excess of those
in the previous directory. This condition
of affairs, while encouraging, should not
be regarded as entirely satisfactory, Rich
mond not having forged ahead as she
should have done IN view Of the wonderful
development taking place in the South
and the unsurpassed advantages of hcr
position.
HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT.
That the place has not been "boomed"
to the extent of causing a local specula-
tion in lots detrimental TO legitimate bust
ness, and of dlscounting the future for
half O century TO como In the current
prices for land. is n subject for congratu-
latiOn, as such movements are in the end
calculated to retard immigration and
healthy development. But on the other
hand it may be said that there is o tide in
which, taken at the food, leads on TO for
tune: and il must be manifest that the
time has come, IL ever. when "a united aud
vigorous effort should be made by the
municipal authorities, capitalists, owners
of urban and suburban property. and citi-
zens generally, 10 utilize fully all OF our
natural resources and advantages.
WHAT WE SHOULD DO.
These should be carefully studied in
every aspect, compared with those Of
rapidly-growing places, and after being
thoroughly and intelligently ascertained
by ourselves at their true value, forced
upon the attention and recognition of the
investing public by judicious. united, and
extensive advertising. In respect TO some
of them we have apparently emulated the
example of the man with ons talent. who,
because ne could not foresee return Of
| 100 per cent, dlgged in the earth and hid
his talent and failed TO secure even the
conventional interest. Again, it will not
do, because Richmond Is O full-hedged
city and the largest in the Commonwealth.
| to be content with previous progress, or
| TO imagine that kind of momentum has
| been acquired OF an attraction Of gr8yita-
| ton created by its size, which will alone
insure its Development.
TO SECURE NEW INDUSTRIES.
The authorities of Richmond, and
also Manchester, Henrico, and Ches-
| terfield, might exempt from taxes
| for certain number of years or
| offer other concessions 10 industries of a
new character. More Of our capitalists
should give the subject of promoting and
subscribing to new enterprises for which
we are fitted intelligent and serious con-
sideration. Land companies might, with
profit to their investments, donate or
sell mt cost suitable sites for factories,
systematically describing and adver-
| tising the same. Some such spirit
must now actuate the community II
the present anticipations and hopes are
| TO be realized in reference to the stock in
land companies, building-fund companies,
| &c. Some such measures are advisable
and necessary, because other localities
have adopted them, because we should in
vite with equal inducements the northern
capitalists, manufacturers, and skilled op.
| orators, now uuquestionably directing
their attention TO all suitable localities in
| the South, and because, in abandoning
| their former plants and fields of labor
such new comers feel compensated in q
manner for tie wrench sustained IN the
transition and inspired with confidence
in the move by getting free sites, loca
subscriptions, &c,
WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE.
The adoption Of means Of this kind il
not confined altogether 10 new towns
The prominent citizens of Baltimore, fol
instance, have Just organized O develop
ment company with $5.0OO.O00 capital tC
secure options, promote manufactures
etc, and in Virginia, Lynchburg. Norfolk
Staunton, and other established but small
er cities have certainly as communitIe,
eyinced q degree of enterprise, public
spirit, and cooperation that we would dC
we'll to initiate.
OUR ADVANTAGES.
II IL needless here 70 dwell upon our adj
yantages; they must be apparent in theil
great Importance % any careful student o
the situation. Nanifestly IL is better 10 b,
located like Richmond. so ~ TO draw upor
the most favorable terms raw materia
from nearly all Of the mines, quarries
forests. and farms of this and neighbor
ing States, than TO be in the immediat,
vicinity of any one of these sources o
supply, however rich 10 may be. and 1t i
more desirable for the large and varied in
dusties which go to make up manufac
turing city TO be in o position 10 distribute
over different routes to all points thai
to be, az it were, the protege OF any particu
lar railroad. Our climate, population
water-power. transportation. and the mum
berless advantages OF metropolitan devei
| OpincuJ hEc ihoet PV" ui AaSeoto "tSef.
possessed in the problem Of future ant
rapid development; but IN respect 10 tn
happy-go-lucky style Of the past and tn
lack of cooperation and public spirit Il
matters requiring concerted action, ther
must certainly be radical change if W
propose 20 enter the field and compete TO
our due share of wealth and prosperity.
THE cAAMBEn or COMMERCE.
The Chamber of Commerce, at Its NEE,
ings and through its committees has en
deayored to increase our facilities, extern
our trade, develop and advertise our n
: sources, and encourage new enterprises
The press has been equally Jealous an
liberal in advertising and advocating ever
moaure for the good and advancement 9
the city. But such institutions can onl
arouse and direct sentiment, aud at las
the actual accomplishment Of the ends !