The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-07

The wear 1891 proclaimed an era Of pros
perity in this city Of which no other single
year has ever boosted.
All commercial aud financial circles have
been the scenes of busy activity, the chan
nels of the jobbing trade have flowed with a
steady stream Of increasing growth and profit
able compensation. the busy hum Of the fac
tories has been delightful music to industry
aud thrift and enterprise and energy have
gathered with the year beautiful and pleas
ant harvest.
IN FINANCIAL CIRCLES.
Notwithstanding the fact that 10 the early
months of 1891 there was some little strin-
eency in financial circles this soon disap-
peared, and money has been reasonably
plentiful throughout the year. The
money institutions Of the city have
demonstrated their solidity and given
evidence Of the wisdom and conservatism Of
those who control them and the year has
marked tremendous increase in the bank
clearances and added nearly half a million
dollars to their capital stock. The total bank
clearances for the year were Sll9,74O.556.
showing an increase over the preceding
year of 81 l37, l49. Lower rates OF interest gen
orally prevailed and valid securities always
found sufficient funds ready for loan on reas-
enable terms. while the merchant and manu-
facturer have been completely cared for with
such legitimate accommodations as they alb
solutey required.
The satisfactory settlement Of the State debt
near the close of the year gave new none
tary value TO a number of securities and
strongly served throughout the entire country
TO re-establish confidence in our investments
. and 70 materially advance our financial facili-
ties.
THE JOBBING TRADE.
The iobbine trade for 1891 has been a sue
cessful one and the close of the season not
only finds the record Of a prosperous year.
but is pregnant with bright prospects for the
year to come.
The pursuit Of the iobbing trade is closely
identified with extended transportation facii-
ties, and in this Richmond was never moro
abundantly blessed The continued improve
ment of the James river is daily opening up
to us great highway to the Atlantic sea
board. where. with the principle ports of
Europe, South America and the islands of the
sea will eventually flourish foreign trade Of
wonderful proportions
This direct water connection with the great
ports of the world adds to the Importance of
our city aud augurs for her in no uncertain
manner prestige and prominence in the
commercial world surpassed by few cities Of
the country
The seven railroad lines of Richmond pro-
nounce her a centre whose importance can
not be ovorestimated. They link her
TO the seaports of the North and East
bring the products Of the busy
factory of the North 10 her very por. lay the
yielG OF the grain fields of the West at her
feet and then scatter the results of her accu-
mutations over the smiling lands that stretch
in fertile beauty from the Atlantic 10 the
Father of Waters. and from the Gulf 30 be-
yond the boundaries of the Middle States.
The territory covered by the jobbers of this
city has been considerably extended during
the past year Many additional statesmen
have been put on the road, and distant
points hitherto unsolicited now look upon
this market a. the source of supplies in vari-
Gus lines heretofore bought in other trade
centres. Every facility has been employed in
opening up new territory. and careful and
conscientious dealing has served to link more
closely tie sections already acquired.
over half a million of dollars has been
added during the year 10 the capital invested
ip the iobblng business. and the total sales
for 1891 exceed those of the preceding year by
S8.967.O3O The total sales in the jobbing
trade were s36. OO9,O5O.
THE MILL AND FACTORY.
In manufacturing industries Richmond has
more than kept pace with the times, and has
also in this branch eclipsed the Efforts of the
prevou. year. Every facility is here offered
for manufacturing establishments and above
the mists OF the river the smoke from nearly
600 factories and mills proclaims as il rises
the progress aud labor Of busy workmen. and
the material presence OF al industrial age
Situated in section from which il can
LARGELY draw for needed products. and with
ample advantages for the transportation O.
raw materials and embracing all other re-
Quirements for the factory and mill. lnclud
ing the manufacture Of requisite ma
chinery, the prosperity OF tins city IN the lin.
of manufacturing X but the absolute result
OF O happy combination Of natural ad>an
tages. accepted by capital and energy anC
which. increasing year by year. marx Rich
mond as one OF the manufacturing ceatres o
the cOun ~.
A fraction under $780, 900 was added TO thu
millions already invested IN these plants dur
Ing the year and in many instances new anC
improved machinery has replaced that of
few years ago increasing the facilities of mil
aud factory. and reducing the cost OF produc
ton.
The sales from the factories and mills ex
ceeded that 81 1890 by 81. 355. 600 the increas,
in the Touring and corn mills being s65 O9o
The total sales from al Of the mills and facto
ries were s39.4s6.00O.
There are number of business houses anC
thriving factories which have done much IL
achieving the results above named, and 1t i
recorded as fact that they have been in th,
foremost rank in establishing the graceful
record Of 1891.