The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-31
THE CITY OF RICHMOND.
SHE HAS DONE As WE'LL As ANY
OTHER cIrY IN THE COUNTRY.
Her Bulldogs, Banks, Business Enter
prises and Monuments are Worthy the
Pride OF Her Citizens.

written for the Times by Hon. George j.
Christian. President OF the Chamber OF
Commerce.)
In complying with your request for
short review of the progress Of the trade
| and material development OF our city for
the year just drawing to close, l have
TO regret that / cannot chronicle the fui-
fiiment of all that was predicted In the
review which / made last year At the
time of writing that paper, whilst 1t was
evident there were difturbances gathering
| in the commercial and financial world.
yet the most far-sighted and sagacious
| could not then forecast the extent OF the
financial storm which has almost ragged
the world over during nearly the whole
| Of iris year. Indeed, the year 1893, VIII
| be remembered by those who have con-
Quoted almost any business Of importance
| through Il. as one OF the most remarka-
| bic I'm history for the financial and bust
ness stagnation and depression which have
| prevailed in this country and many parts
| OF Europe, and other countries, as well
Has Done Well.
This being a universally recognized fact
then. the wonder is, not that Rich
mond has not done all that
was predicted but that she has
been able TO do what she has In the
almost universal state OF stagnauon and
depression. believe II will be conceded
by all who have any opportunity Of OBJ
serving the current OF events, that I'm
all lines Of business, Rich
mond has done about as well as
any other place in the country, which,
Ike Chicago for instance lad no especial
attractions to bring people and money
here. and that It nas done more in these
directions than about nine out Of ten cities
I'm the country. The statement OF THIS
fact alone should not only convince us
that we have n firm and stable basis on
which TO erect the structure OF our future
growth and prosperity; but should inspire
us with that hope and confidence. from
which alone material Development can
spring.
New Buildings.
A striking evidence that Richmond has
NOT refrigerated during the year Will be
found in the fact that during that time
a large rumber Of buildings have been
erected in almost every section OF the
city. It IS true that I'm many Instances,
these buildings had been contracted for
before the financial condition Of the
assumed and, therefore, those in that posi-
ton, as a rule. had to be completed; but
this was. by no means, universally the
case, and a large number Of new buii-
ings have been contracted for and erected,
during the whole period Of the year. And
what has been true Of Richmond, Is true
TO some extent at least Of the suburban
villages Of Barton Heights, Chestnut Hill,
and the eastern and western suburbs or
the city.
II may not be out Of place, to call at
tention. as / did in my last review, to
some OF the public buildings, which are
worthy Of special mention. and OF their
present condition: and first. | will notice
our beautiful City Hall. The work on
this has so far progressed during the
year, that il is estimated. 10 will be ready
for use by the middle Of March. IL is
universally admired, and it's completion
win be hailed as a great convenience 10
our people, especially those who have
business I'm the courts Of the city, which
will then be concentrated under one roof,
and therhy greatly facilitate both the
examination Of, the records, and the adj
ministratcn Of justice.
The public library buhdirE hes MISC so
:ar advanced during the year, that IL
may be occupied during the latter part OF
the year 1894. 1t will be a very handsome
structure. and If properly located for
that purpose would be a real ornament
10 the city.
The Chamber or Commerce Building
has been completed during the year. and
1 believe fully meets the expectance OF
every one I'm every sense. The jefferson
Hotel" is also progressing favorably,
and doubtless during the coming year.
viii be far advanced towards completion
The SPLENDID new factories OF the Amer |
lean Tobacco Company, The J. Wright
Company and others, show that our
tobacco trade, whilst sharing I'm the |
general depression, is yet in a healthy
condition.
Large Depot Needed.
The new dtpots. which were I'm contem- !
plation. were necessarily postponed by |
the stringeHcy Of the times. from which. |
Of course the railroads suffered peculiar |
hardships. but from what we can aInder- !
stand this pCsipCi ment viii only be tenn |
rorary. We trust that this is so. as /
some OF cur depots are a disgrace 90 any |
place which has any claim to the title |
Of a city. Indeed there is but one depot |
worthy Of the name I'm the city, and |
really there ought to be but one in the |
city. but that one to be large enough. |
and with appointments suitable 10 the |
accommodation of all the roads centering |
Lere. The grain elevator referred 10 in |
my last review, as being on the tqpis, |
has BEEN built during the year by that
enterprising and vigorous corporation, |
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Com
Iany.
The Steamship Lines.
This company has also established
the steamship lines between NewrOrt
News and Liverpool which was promised |
and which Crght TO be OF great advan-
tSge. in many ways TO Richmond. The
new James river line. which was prom
lsed last year has also been established,
to the great advantage Of our city, Nor
folk. and the people on or near the line
of that truly historic ard noble river.
Loose Tobacco Sale.
Whilst, as / said before. our tobacco
trade mas. like all other business, suf-
fered nom the effects Of the financial
troubles yet / am glad 20 say the
loose tobacco sales have revived with
that of other business in this and other
li-es. and We shall be greatly disappoint-
ed If We do not reap large results from
the estal Ishment Of this market Tor
this great staple here.
JobbIng Trade.
Taking everything into consideration,
our jobbing trade has done wonderfully
well. Indeed. IN some few lines of bust
ness, we understand there has been an
increase. whilst the collections have gem
orally compared favorably with former