Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-01

Increase ..............s..s........t 3,lJI,SSf
This is by long odds the best manufac-
turing exhibit Richmond and Manchester
have. ever made.
We present special review Of our to-
| bacco trade. 1t gives an insight into
branch of business that is of the utmost
importance to Richmond and Virginia.
A great quantity of western leaf is hand
led here, but Richmond maintains her
supremacy as the market for the world
famous fine old tobacccos Of Virginia and
North Carolina.
Our brands of plug-tobacco, cigarettes,
and smoking-tobacco stand as ever, upon
the topmost round of popularity.
JoBBING TRADE.
| Each annual exhibit Of our jobbing trade
sounds the praises of our travelling sales
men. To them in large degree is due the
steady increase of our sales and the exten-
sion of the territory tributary to our
market. They are an active, combative,
and earnest set of young men who do more
talking up Of Richmond in one week
than the average citizen does in year.
Their lot is not particularly easy one.
| They earn what they make. II requires
absence from home; much travelling, day
and night. on railroads and by private con-
veyances, and sharp, shrewd, quick work
in competition with the smartest statesmen
the merchants of the northern cities can
| employ. Yet, see what they have done.
The sales of the jobbers for the past three
wears were as follows.
1Sgs .4O5,NW
lSS9 ','..''''''' '''''''"'''''' eS'dtoSoV 'oS
1SsJ .'-..'..'.''''' o<'VfsiUV'
In the past twelve months, compared
with the like period Of 1889, the sales OF
groceries and liquors increased from S1O,-
100000 TO S11 ,S25, 900; provisions from
| s3.7 90, 600 TO 90, ,937, 800; dry goods and no.
tions from S3,O0O,O 900 to $4,000, ,OOO fancy
groceries and tobacco from g 2,225.0OO to
S2.447, 500: boots and shoes from Sl,SOO,OOO
to 81. .s75 900, and other lines in proportion.
Thus we have the grand total Of sales
amounting to S32, ,O42 900, while the capital
| invested in business is $685. 900.
With the growth of Virginia cities and
towns and general southern prosperity we
may confidently rely upon an increase of
our iobbing trade. This years prospects
are good. We hope to hear of many new
houses established here--some in new
lines of business-and the enlistment of
numerous other bright, jovial, spirited
young fellows in our corps of drummers.
TELLING FACTS.
One of the striking features Of tbts issue
| is the article on railroads. IL demons trates
| that there is good foundation for Virginia 8
boom. The wear has marked the completion
! of three roads-not, however, particularly
tributary to Richmond. The expenditures
for construction were about $40, 900: 900, and
the claim is made that property values Will
| be thereby increased 800, ,000,G00.
| The Richmond bank clearings show an
| increase of S2.73s, ,152.49. comparing 1890
al. d 1889, or total of S1ll ,207, ,943.97. while
| the CITY post-ofiice exhibits q gratifying
| increase of business, including greater
amount than ever before paid for news
! paper postage.
Richmond during the year, and while the
were reckoned at $780, 6,065-a very ia
yorable showing for any city of our size.
and better one even than we made IN
| 1889.
The activity in building enterprises is
| piotured by the fact that there were 939
| new buildings erected last year-the great
est number in our history. Many OF these
were handsome and costly stores and pri-
yate residences.
Losses by fire were light.
| Always well-ordered city, our criminal
| annals for 1890 are remarkable for absence
| of shocking crimes.
| STREET RAILWAYS AND sUNDRiEs..
The street railways of Richmond and
Manchester have been wonderfully ex-
| tended and improved in the past three
wears. aud we have the following lines
Main street, Broad street. Union Passen-
ger (Church Hid, Marshall street. Man.
| chester Railway and Improvement Com
| pauy Gin course of construction), Rich
mond and Manchester, Southside Land and
| Improvement Company. Riyer-view I'm
| provement Company, and Seven Plnes
road. Total mileage of routes. 321f miles,
much of which is double-tracked.
| The rise Of the tide at our wharves is SO
| feet.
Price Of city gas to consumers is $3.50 per
| thousand cubic feet -
The most elevated point in the city is 300
| feet above tide
state taxation is 40 cents on the 800
| value, city taxation, i.40 on the 800.
| There are hste IL homes for the aged,
sick, and poons and all are doing noble
| work. III
the Medical bilege Dispensary received
more than 10 .Od Visits from outdoor poor.
and each applicant was supplied with
medical or snrl Zeal attendance and medi-
ojiR cnunc9xs.
Richnond haa always been remarkable
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