The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-01

James river to the scaboard, and these.
with the line OF steamships which now
connect Newport News With all the rrin-
cii'al European ports, will afford every
facility for the export OF tobacco and
various other kinds Of manufactures
The specific figures of the various en-
tcrprises and Industries. OF the public
buildings. banks, city Offices. etc. as as
certained from information gathered by
The Times will be found elsewhere In
this issue, and a few general statements
will suffice here.
The population OF Richmond and Man
chester. with their suburbs, is now
$4,000. an increase over 1891 OF 5000. Many
OF the suburbs lave become sites for sum
mer residences. and are showing signs Of
more rapid growth In the future.
AS a place OF residence Richmond can
hardly be equaled by any city Of similar
size. The report from the Board OF
Health Will prove most gratifying 10 our
citizens, and. considering all things. the
death rate of the past year has been re-
markably small. The records from the
Fire Department, police force and the
public schools are such as few cities can
toast of, n all these, togeth, IT with the
reports from the charitable institutions.
the city offices. and the religious organi-
cations combine TO prove beyond a
NOtDN lult tutIt II StdlCtiY al city III
the South so eminently attractive TO
those seeking a place for residence ana
investment.
In manufactures the year has been
marked by steady progress. In spite
OF the various conditions that were d.
rectfy opposed to the building UP OF man
ufactures, a large number OF new enter
prises were begun. E~lectro-platine works.
a large preserving establishment, saw and
planing-mills. candy factories, varnish
manufactures, bag and tyine factories,
coal Industries, and others too numerous
to mention. have sprung into existence.
Besides these. in many industries new
machinery has been added, plants have
been enlarged. and improved facilities
Of various sorts nave been made in order
&c meet an increased demand in many
lines Of business.
Notwithstanding the disadvantages
that stood in the way CT progress,
there was an increase of more Than Sz.g@,-
900 in the amount OF capital invested In
1899 over that Of 1871. The amount OF
sales during. 1892 exceeded tn 'se OF 1891
nv more thar 5000 90. More than I've
hundred hands have been ADDED to the
number employed In 1891. Such a record
as this leaves no doubt as to the word
push" being justly applied to the va
riuos business industries of Richmond.
In face Of the deplorable state Of for
eign money markets, which naturally
brought bout a decided loss Of conf
dence auong the business enterprises
abroad. md. despite the price OF cotton,
which was lower than for years before,
the tobacco manufacturing business of
Richmand increased It's sales to the
amount of more than N,500,OOO.
This was due TO the immense output
~ ~ zgr~~e,,to riaa- have made during
the year. and also 20 the fact lint many
of them have been turning out a superior
class of goods.
The prospects for an increased tobacco
business in 1893 are more/than encour-
aging. and nearly all Of the tobacco
men feel confident that/the next years
figures will be even Tar more gratifying
than those of 1892.
There has been/a decided advance in
the sales Of baskets and brooDls. The
sales of fIese- articles amounted to more
than 100000 increase over 1891. Sash.
doors and blinds received a much larger
demand, while in the line of clothing.
boots and shoes the sales were some
900 more than in 1891. Where some
few enterprises may have done a slightly
decreased business, owing TO abnormal
circumstances, numbers OF others 1cfgep
and worked up their sales TO a
point never before reached il their MS
tory.
Agricultural implements. -four and corn
meal, fertilizers, carriages ana wagons
all lad a tendency towards a decreased
demand, while on the other hand, the out
in granite and stone, paints, varnisheS
and oils. bags, paper, building materials,
tobacco, woodenware and VA
other articles have been from 10
10 % nor cant lorrer than an tho Drpviols
year.
The manufacturers inc mercantile men
generally report an unusually prosperous
Few. if any, can fail to feel highly
az the unquestionable success
with which the various enterprises have
met during the year.
The outlook for 1898 is. indeed. encour-
aging. In addition to the many manu-
established during the year.
many others are In n fair way to as
definite shape, and new plans, which
only require a brief period TO reach
are being nourtshed by many
of our prominent business men.
The causes for n prosperous year ere
both numerous and vital. The high tenn
of national politics has been
reduced for q time. cotton has
on a decided upward movement. the
Improvement of the financial condition
abroad has inspired confidence and added
q new impetus to the export trade. These
md other influences continue to promote
enterprises generally, and II
Is only natural to SUPPOSE that ere
another year rolls by the manufacturing
md commercial enterprises of Richmond
viii loom up with q grand total Of which
1py city Of the United States might
feel proud.