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

The old and t~ime-honored capital OF the
Old Dominion enters upon a new year Of
vigorous life, and points with pride TO
the strides she has made in the financial,
industrial, educational and religious world
during the past twelve months.
Richmond has just cause to be proud
OF herself. During the year. which has
closed. many of her sister cities remained
at a hopeless standstill; others, by reason
of the terrible financial depression. which
prevailed in many parts of this and
foreign countries, failed to reach their
former standard OF business activity,
while still others sun into a languid
state of procrastination awaiting a sud
den impetus IN the cotton market. But
Richmond pushed forward with that
thrifty spirit which has always charac-
terized her as an enterprising city, and
TO a large degree fought successfully
against the incalculable disadvantages
that arose from every side. She now
steps into the arena, a proud victor. and
invites the world to witness her progress
during the past year.
Early in 1892. and, indeed. long before
this time. a portion OF the State was suf-
fering from the effects OF numerous So
called booms, and large amounts of capt.
tai all over the Old Dominion sought in
vestment In these land schemes, mineral
industries and over-crowded real estate
n arkets, only to be swallowed up in many
cases as utterly hopeless investments.
BESIDES these, the great decrease in the
value of cotton welded a powerful in
fuence upon the business enterprises OF
Virginia. as well as upon those of the
Carclinas. Georgia and the Gulf States.
The consequence was that the entire
jobbing trade, the manufacture of fertili-
zers, agricultural implements, iron and
machinery. together with mercantile en-
terprises, were forced to battle against
indescribable difficulties arising from the
stringency OF the money market. and 1t
was nothing less than that untiring zeal
and indomitable perseverance for which
our business men have always been
known IN cases OF emergency that have
held her in the front ranks among the
leading manufacturing and commercial
centres. and demonstrated to all that as
4 business city she can compare favorably
with any of similar size.
Richmond is not and has never been a
boom city. She is ever destined to be
spared from one Of those magic, tenn
pt rary growths, which too often result
In q general collapse. and in a shutting
down OF scores OF manufacturing indus
tiles for want OF necessary lucre 10 keep
them In operation. She has and will con-
tinue to have healthy, substantial INV ard
movement, such as invites capital and
labor from all quarters.
Real estate has d firm, active demand.
Our real estate agents report a most gra-
tifying result for the years business.
Many of them were even surprised at
the activity in this line. and not a few
predict that the year 1898 will witness
epecial strides and astonishing results in
the line OF building.
There has been q large amount of build
Ing during the Year. Tho returns will
compare favorably with those of previous
years, ana prove Idr In ADVANCE or what
the people had expected. Almost as fast
as houses can be completed. n in many
cases long before they are completed.
tenants are ON hand ready n waiting.
Dwelling houses nave gone up in large
numbers In every portion OF the city;
handsome residences have been erected
Oh Franklin. Grace. FioyG and other resi-
dent streets: a number OF imposing
structures have been added TO Main aud
Broad ~streetg. while such structures as
Grs,ce-street Baptist church. the new
CITY Halt and the Chamber of Commerce
Gre nearing completion.
Besides these. Al is only natural to ex-
pect that O few months will find the new
State Library building, the Richmond and
Danville and Chesapeake end Ohio rail-
read depots, and the magnificent struc-
ture that Is 10 be called ''The jefferson"
Hotel. all in course OF construction.
The transportation facilities Of Rich
mond are still pushing forward. In ID
013cn 70 her admirable railroad service
there n soon 70 be q new n thor
eushly-ssuDDsd steamboat line down