Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-01
Richmond in 1891.

The DISPATCH today gathers up the
memories Of the past year and sets them
forth in the shape OF facts and figures.
1t is Business Mans paper, Astounding
In statistical EXHIBITS, wherein viii be
found the record. of what We have done
and from which NAV be made valuable
deductions as TO the future.
Tho public-spirited merchant or manu-
facturer can as ill-afford TO refuse TO con-
sider his own balance-sheet as to neglect
70 examine the great array of truths pre-
scented in our columns to-day. Personal
success is almost invariably dependent
upon the community<s success. and aside
from of that proper pride which every
one should have IN his home, it is the duty
of the man of affairs, for the further
ance of his individual aims, not only to
know what ia going on In his own
trade, but IN other circles. IL he seeks
this knowledge our ample pages will afford
II. Here Is spread out the years history
of Richmond and Manchester as cities and
as commercial centres. Here the events of
the year are recalled and grouped. 1t IS
map of busy life" of the twelve months
past, and on it is marked. as on weather.
chart, our ups and downs.t
II Richmond and Manchester and all
their suburbs were absorbed into one cor
poration, after the Chicago fashion. we
should have here a city Of population be-
tween 10000 and 10000. As il is Rich
mond IS encircled by towns and villages
and within her own statutory limits has
about 81, 600 people. reckoning on the basis
OF tho United States census of 1890. which
did us but very scant justice.
The thrift and progress of this metropo-
lis is Enthusiastically shown in beautiful
streets and parks; in fine business tho
roughfares, and in elegant residential sec
lions, while our claims to consideration as
q mart Is established by the fact that we
have here IA manufacturing establish
ments with annual sales Of 49,, 459,O and
jobbinc trade OF S360O9,030 per annum.
These figures. viewed along with the traf-
&c tables of the railroads and steamboat
companies and the reports OF the banks
and clearinghouse. compel the acknow-
Judgement that the capital of the Old Do
ninion Is Oh enterprising and growing in
dustrial centre.
II is rather a singular fact that while the
last six months of 1891 were marked, tho
country over, by o depression in business,
the Virginia railroads enjoyed unwonted
prosperity IN tho carrying trade, No
doubt there are several explanations to be
made of this, but one that is patent to all
Is that while the last cotton crop was
enormous the price Is low, but whether it
will bring much or little 1t must be mar
keted.
Whatever loss Of business We have suf-
fered-and il is very little--may be attri-
buted, first TO the hating condition of gene
raj trade in the great markets Of the world,
and to the low price of cotton and the
great auietude which has settled upon
"the boom towns" in Virginia.
Our trade and social relations with North
and South Carolina are very intimate, and
whatsoever hurts them hurts us, and 80.
too. a. 10 those Virginia communities
which have been cast down III their hope
ofhaving great cities suddenly spring up in
their midst. But we are consoled by the
thought that activity follows inactivity,
and that the best foundations are laid on
"rock bottom"
Men upon whose sagacity we may firmly
rely see ahead fine times for Virginia and
all the South. That is as much as to say
that Richmond is bound to grow in wealth
and population. We have no doubt at all
about It. 1t Is a solid city, and every adj
vance that ii makes 1t maintains and forth
a. Do.,da. -, coynyrnp with all tina nan
Pile Of the Old Dominion. we are just now
rejoicing exceedingly because we see ap-
preaching the end of the public-debt agl-
tation and looming up in the future a
great influx Of capital into this Common
wealth. The railroad companies, which
have been influential factors in develop
inc the mineral sections Of Virginia. have
many promising plans laid which ore to
be put into execution before long. and
which will surely add much to our pros
perity and wealth. True, some of them
are inclined 10 take alarm at the railroad
commission bill pending IN the two houses
of the General Al embly, but they will
and in the end, We predict, that prudent
counsels viii prevail and that many pow
erful pleaders for conservative action will
appear In the persons Of representatives of
sural constituencies.
We have now entered upon a presidential
year, rs il has come to DO called. and 1t is
not TO be expected that the country will
Be altogether free during the latter half of
che twelve months from the disturbing in
huenees Of the canvass; but we think that
tine people have learned to make due allow
snoes for the exuberant predictions OF poll
ticians, and that farmers, merchants,
and manufacturers are well aware
that no matter who wins or who
loses in tho contest our life must be
lived pretty much after the old fashion.
So let us start out blithely this Hsw-Year's
morning, and be assured that with proper
effort IL wall DO in our power TO do much
20 advance the fortunes OF ourselves and
our community both.
1t will surprise many persons. we feel
sure, to be told. as our paper to-day tells
them, that there were fewer deaths in
Richmond in 1891 than ia 1850. For several
months Of last year the diphthcria ragged
here. One hundred aud twenty per.
sons, mostly children. fell victims to it.
From tht. one fact the conclusion was gen.
orally drawn that We had CONS 10 be a
very unhealthy city. Our wish Is neither
70 underrste nor TO exaggerate the conss-
ouences Of that visitation. but We mas say.
In view Of the combined efforts now being
made by tho Chamber of Commerce, tho
Academy Of Medicine and the City Coun-
Gil. that in all probability we shall never
have repetition Of last years experience
We have had lesson and We propose to
pyo6t By II. nature has been overwhelm-
lngly generous 10 Us IN giving rs 6ne
sits for our city. and what Is peeded TO
psxfset is sanitation We must do, aud viii
do. for ourselves. The grip has been
amongst ". too. but with less fatality
than In slmost any city that We know OF;
buf It Is . cosmopolitan. and all the doc
tors Of tho world are organized against 1t,
FOR tie southsrners tender memories are
Rrthsssd about Richmond. u was thsir
n u fsu n aAmss, and much Of 1t