Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
tho city for conducting trade has been


The manufacturing statistics for 1892 af
industrial progress. The table was pre-
pared under the auspices Of the Chamber
OF Commerce. The increase in number OF
establishments over 1891 was 229, hands
employed. 1912; capital in business, SRA
500, sales, s7,ss7,75O. These increases are
calculated on the basis of the DrsPATcH's
table of January /. 1892. and the heavy in
creaseiu amount of sales shown by the pres
ent table is due in part TO q difference be-
tween the chamber and the DISPATCH as TO
the defnition Of the word manufactory."
The DrsPArt a's table gave nun Der of estab-
lishments In 1891 as 77l number of hands
employed, q, $50; capital in business. $l7,-
$500, and amount of sales, $3i, $4,000.
JoBBrNo TRADE.
Considering the low price Of cotton and
the fact that goods were sold at very low
profit the jobbing trade also made very
satisfactory stride during the year. The
condition Of affairs in the South was such
that our jobbers would have thought that
they had done we'll even in holding their
own. However, the increase IN capital IN
business7 over 1891 was S36,50O and in
amount Of sales S241, 300. The feeling in
jobbing circles is buoyant and the outlook
for the present year bright.
The receipts of grain were 417.8O6 BUSH
els in excess Of those of 1891, and there
was an apprcclable increase in amount OF
capital employed and annual sales in the
milling business.
What may be termed strictly the muni-
cipal statistics make an encouraging show
ing. The rate Of mortality was 22;S8 per
1000 per annum-white, 1862; colored,
26:92. The total deaths for the year were
f,g45-white. 922; colored, 1,O2s. There
were 1873 deaths less than in 1891.
The total gain in city taxes for the year
over the preceding year was S99,544.22.
The excess in State taxes over 1891 was
So. sie.77. Total bonded debt of the city,
&c. .525 O65 go; assessed value of realty,
S4i, ,78s, ,493; personal property, 800, 0,S34.63S.
Manchester realty, $2,S7l ,O5l. Property
not taxable, such as churches, &C.,
estimated, S7,0O0,00O. The receipts from
water.rents were greater than in 1891
by $G.75l.76. The pumps were work
ed to their full capacity during the
year, and it Is thought it will be necessary
either to meter the city or enlarge the
pumping capacity and street-mains.
The Coroner made 257 examinations
during the year and the incidental ex-
penses Of his Office were %. The po-
lice made 6,525 arrests--266 less than the
year before. Most of the arrests were for
minor offences. Owing to the decision OF
tho Supreme Court of Appeals affecting
the Jurisdiction of police justices and
justices of the peace in misdemeanor
cases there was considerable falling OF
in the fines collected in the Police Court.
The religious statistics of the city show
an increase of nire churches and par
ticularly healthy progress in Sunday
school work.
The Fire Department has maintained its
high standard Of efficiency. While there
were an unusual number of fires during
the year, and exact figures are not at hand,
it is known that tho loss was comparative
ly small.
In 1892 electric-hght service was extend
ed on the streets. but the consumption OF
gas continues to increase. There are in
the city sixty-eight miles of gas-mains.
During this year water-gas plant will be
introduced as an addition To the present
gas. works. facilities.
cfAaITIEs.
Tho homes, orphan asYluus. ,rhssior.5,
and other charitable institutions have
done noble work during .he year in taking
care of the poor and the unfortunate. In
the almshouSe there were twelve inmates
less than in 1891. The hospital service OF
this institution afforded attention in a
great many emergency oases, but it Is
hoped that ere long there will be public
hospital here dissociated from the 1Hms-
house.
The enrolment in the public schools
was ii .441, being $50 less than in 1891, but
this falling of was moro than counter
balanced by the increased attendance upon
the private schools.
The population Of Richmond, Manches.
ter. and suburbs is by conservative esti-
mate placed at 1Os,OOO.
During the year the second Exposition
of the Virginia Agricultural and Me-
chanical Society was held, and proved
success, not only financially, but in re-
spect OF the number of strangers it at
tracted to the city. The enterprise was G
good investment for ou7'people, and the
effect it hos had in popularizing Richmond
az market cannot fail to be appreciably
felt during this year.
THE RETAIL TRADE.
The retail trade of the city has partaken
of the general development and its vol
ume has been very large. No statistics in
his line are obtainable. but 1892 closed
with good advance upon the previous
year and 1898 is full Of promise.
The summary OF the year Is that Rich
mond has taken long step forward IN
working out her destiny as great manu-
featuring and commercial centre. She
leaves 1892 with grateful glance and turns
TO 1893 full Of confidence. The result o
the presidential election dispelled the
threatening cloud that hung over the ter
ritory from which she draws her trade
sustenance, and in its place she sees the
assurance of new era of demand upon
her commercial and manufacturing facili'
ties. The energy, enterprise, ana public
spirit .of her people, the natural advan'
tages afforded by her geographical situa
ton. her position as railroad centre, and
her conservative. yet at the same time
liberal, methods OF doing business have all
worked together 10 make the old year the
prophecy Of bright. happy, and pros
porous New Year.
MANY MADE HAPPY.
Marriage Licenses Issued by the Husting