Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-01
Richmond in 1902.


springiup-up OF scores Of elegant resi-
denees. fine public buildings rising on ell
the great thoroughfares, and increased
sales OF manufactures and of goods IN the
wholesale trade are among the proofs that
Richmond was prosperous in 1892.
Go where you will in this city, investi-
gate "a you may. probe 10 the depths OF
the affairs OF our great industrial enter
prises. and the conviction is forced upon
you that Richmond ia fast growing in busi-
ness and wealth, while her increase OF
population Is very gratifying. Taking the
figures OF the United States census of 1890
ss basis, and extending them for tpe
past two years upon the ratio Of increase
which was manifested between 1890 and
1880. Richmond. Manchester, and their
close-lying suburbs have population OF
10000. Really. we might claim much
larger figure, in view Of the notorious in
accuracy of the census of 1890, but we are
resolved, If not content. TO stand by the
official records.
Richmond and Manchester are two
separate municipalities, divided by tho
James river. but united by no less than six
bridges. Az business community they
are one. Their suburbs of which We
speak are thickly-built neichborhoods
which would naturally be included in their
limits by any general extension of their
corporate bounds. We have not "gone to
the corn-helds" to take IN population; all
the people that we have counted live within
0 few minutes walk of our paved streets
and gas-lamps or electric-hghts.
The value of real estate in Richmond is
en.73 i93 personal, $40, 33i,G3s. In Man
chester the real estate IS valued at
e2.s7l O5l and the personal at 100000.
In tue two cities we Judge that there Is
State, municipal, church, railroad, and
other property which Is not assessed for
taxation (streets. alleys. and public parks
not incudedl worth at least S7,00O,O0O,
making total for Richmond and Man
chester suburbs not included of $72,2i5,-
$50.
Richmond is foItifying her strong posi-
fion as an important manufacturing city,
and in 1892. counting little and big estab-
Iishmhnts. there were 1908 manufactures
here, employing 1920 hands, having
capital of Sl7.i5s. 900, and annual sales of
El2.29G, 100. For the same period our job
bers, operating upon capital of SS,07O,0OG.
Bold goods 10 the value of $50, $50, S3O.--a
monumental tribute TO the zeal. intelli-
cence aud activity of "our drummer
boys" Thus both iobbers and manufac-
turers made great advances over 1891 or
any other yeaf in Richmonds history;
that. too. IN the face OF the fact that
IN many portions of Virginia the people
were laboring under the losses and DIS
arrangements resulting from booms that
had burst. while our southern neighbors
and customers were getting for their cot
ton price which was as low as any ever
known.
Sill another evidence OF the city's
Growth and prosperity is seen in tho fact
that In 1892 our banks had an increase of
loans and discounts amounting to Sl,77l,-
plO; an increase of resources footing
up g.. l05.652, and an increase Of capital
amounting 20 S6O.6l6. The clearances
amounted 10 $12S.S7t 3S9-an increase OF
g., 1888.
The city is dotted over with newly-built
business-h houses and residences, and there
Is agratifying improvement IN tde prevail
ing styles Of architecture. The effort II
being made TO induce all who build fine
dwellings to give them ample grounds and
10 conform the architecture 10 the de-
mauds OF our climatic conditions. As for
the erection of public buildings, Rich
mond never saw such activity. The Ma
sonie Temple was completed in 1892 the
Chamber Of Commerce building, the State
library, and the Planters Bank were be-
gun, and the City Hall was nearly finished.
Other evidences Of prosperity are fur
pished by the fact that tho receipts of
grain we're largely in excess of those of
is9i; that the sales of stamps at the post
office were much increased; that it was
pa good tobacco year." aud that there
were sales of immense quantities OF loose
leaf direct from planters hands on our
warehouse floors. and that our Touring
hills and iron-works were all kept busy
billing orders.
At no time that we can recall was there
such public confidence as at present in the
future greatness OF tins city. We have
lacked self-assertion and shown not over
much appreciation of our busin ess achieve
tnents, but There are no doubters here
how. We oil see that Richmond is forging
ahead From the day of the introduction
Of the electric street-cars here the city be-
ean to Improve Then followed wonderful
suburban development; now thrift aud
progress everywhere appear.
Assurances OF faith in the future OF Rich
tnond are given IN the determination of
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Com
bany 20 erect here soon O splendid passen-
ger depot; in the active preparations now
being made by MeSsrs. GrsTER, PorE, and
AaKSrs to build in the West End q million
dollar hotel, in the formation of a CON-
lsny 20 operate q daily line OF swift steel
built boats between Richmond. New
fort News, and Norfolk. and in tho
organization OF the steamship line which
Is TO run O fec< from Newport News to
liverpool. After the James river is deep
fned 70 IS feet according to the engineers
plans adopted by Congress we shall hope
~ see those ships touching ct Newport
News and dropping there some Of the
Ssightiest portions OF thor csrgoes, and
then steaming MP TO the whsrves OF our
own city bat tor the present We shall be
content TO DO much OF our foreign trade
through Newport News
Looking back over the year now gath
cred into the past and mindful Of the
blessings promised for the coming twelve
month, let us rejoice together and greet
Each other with HAPPY NEW YEAsi AND
NAY WE All. LIVE Loso AND PRosrxa.
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