The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-15
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
xxEUxL NETTING or THE BODY
AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Judge George l.. Christian Again Made
president--His Annual Report Touches
on Many Imp lrtant Subjects.

l.. Christian occupying the chair.
After the reading OF the minutes OF TN
last meeting OF the Chamber jung
Christian submitted his annual report
substantially as follows:
To the Board OF Directors OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce:
Ever since our last annual meeting
great depression in the business interests
OF this and other countries has prevailed
and IL would be therefore unwise. as wei
as unjust 10 consider the work Of the
Chamber and the interests II has sought
10 subservc and promote. except in the
light of this condition OF affairs. We can
certainly congratulate ourselves that
amidst the almost universal state of de-
preston our city has done as well as
almost any other business centre OF which
has done far better than a majority OF
those IN this country.
OF course, under the circumstances
above referred 10, II could not be ex-
pected that any great enterprises or any
marked advance in our existing trade
conditions would 10 chrO'l.f.f n mis-
report, but the manner in which a num-
Der Cf Untakngs which were on hand al
the time OF our last meeting. have been
successfully completed. as well as the
way IN which our financial and other
established business institutions have
borne the prolonged and at times in
tense strain, demonstrates not only their
merit and the stability of the founda-
lions on which they rest. but the forth
tude. sagacity, and conservatism OF those
In control Of our business affairs, ana.
indeed, OF our whole people.
The last annual statements. published
January !, 1894. while recording de-
crease in the value Of transactions for
1895, in contrast with the usual annual
Increase. stlll show a remarkably well
sustained business under most trying
circumstances the aggregate OF sales
by manufacturers ana JObbers for the
year ending December Slst. being si0,-
b36.Si9. or less. by about 10 per cent, than
the business Of 1852. The statistics OF
other business institutions and facili-
ties were similar in character. and the
conditions since that date have remained
practically unchanged.
In taking stock Of the recent past, we
ought, therefore. 10 feel profoundly CRATE
tudes OF the last twelve months. has
proved no more unfavorable TO business
interests: confidence In each other, and
In our resources and advantages should
be inspired by the energy and success
with which we have met and dealt with
adverse and perplexing situations and
well-founded belief and determination
should be entertained by all that with
the return OF normal conditions the
progress and prosperity of Richmond |
must be greater than ever before. while |
with courageous and honest effort we |
make the best of the present
THE Nsw BUILDING.
The experience Of the Chamber |
as an organization has been sim
Ilar 10 that Of the rest of the |
community Being under full Roadway |
with the largest undertaking Of its his
tory. viz, the erection of its new home
ana office building. for while last sum-
mer operations were unavoidably sUs-
pended. but work was soon resumed, the
structure completed practically within the
time prescribed in the contract. and II
was formally opened with appropriate
ceremonies on the 18th of December last,
and despite the hard tiIees, it is gr8ti-
flying 10 state that occupants have been
found for nearly all Of its Offices. The
rapidity with which this large number
Of tenants have come into the building
fully justifes the wisdom of this enter
prise. ana Warrants the belief that It
viii eventually become fairly remune-
rdtiVe investment. The plans were not
only fully carried out in all their mate
rial features, but with some most essen
tial and valuable improvements, which
for certain reasons II was only practi-
cable 10 add TO the Specifications as the
work progressed. TO do so, however, in
vOlved an additional cost of about six
and two-thrds per cent. over the amount
originally provided by the Finance Com
nitiec, at the request Of the Building
Committee
To meet this additional cost an extra
ssue OF bonds amounting to $1,000 has
been authorized by the Chamber, and
'bout 60 per cent. Of these bonds have
)een negotiated. The remaining 40 per |
,ent. or about 5000 in value, should be
disposed Of in the near future so as to
entirely relieve the building and the
chamber OF its floating debt.
BRITT HEyfEw
In reviewing briefly the most interesting {
ubJects that have engaged the cham
'er's attention. IL is a pleasure to note
m improvement I'm the health statistics !
II the city, question in which the cham !
'or has at all times manifested the
eepest concern. !
While for several years Richmond was !
anked IN the mortuary tables as having
MY three or four cities on the list OF a
igher death rate, by a recent report OF :
~ T. H. Aiiriend chairman Of your
ealth committee. based upon entirely :
liable data, there were seven cities =
this class OF a higher death rate in :
% and SO. though. strange TO say. as | q
n informed. the President Of our Board $
Health reports that il was In 1893 still {
urth on this list i
convinced that either the health sta a
tics for Richmond were incorrect, or
al there was some special cause I'M
own and unexplained for it's reported |
ath rate, the chamber appointed a most +
huentlal committee. with instructions /
petition decided action on the part OF the II
~ Council in relation TO the matter q
d later, I'm compliance with an invita- [
III iTbil lnt council, 10 Submit recon- | "
the chamber. through its v
mnittee on health, urged a scientifc | a
vestigation OF these health questions by
perts OF national reputation. u
While the Council has not seen 1T 10 =
opt this course, which. If carried ont q
'uld set at rest many disputed points n U
believed that good has been accom- | ID
shed by having directed more attention y
this important subject. u
OUR WATER.
Since many have attributed our ar,.. m
nj high death rate 20 the alleged lrnr,i,rf pt
OF our drinking water. II Is curio,ie - ~
te that some OF the cities which are re- q
rted In these health statistics az hay "A
: the highest 1eath-rate have the rern- Al
lion OF having the purest and best ryatrr Of
any cities In the country Actual tssts | ri
We demonstrated that our drinking wa. pl
!, ~ cH'entlonailY nnre and wholesome |
q until the contrary IS established orr d,
y ought not 10 continue TO suffer IN al
e future as IL has done in the mast OF
m The charge that our drinking water kl
unfn .s Az germain &c this subject al
I, Snahoer was largely instrumental OF
y year IN securing the reorganization | 70
the state board OF health IN Virginia al
o. tnere being no provision in IN. az
authorizing the creation Of this Ia
iIu, 70 meet It's expenses the Chamber m
seI os suoscIlpton as large sum as in
: men practicable TO inaugurate the in
rk of the board ''0 IN
udse Christian here referred IN the Of.
Z OF the Chamber TO have the Sherman yo
|, en- . lne AK on state banks repealed mi
! advocating the issue Of national bonL mi
es also the effort OF the Chomher 20 m,
lie the tariff question "ei "
or the third time. al the last ,ao, an
OF me General Assembly. the cham TO
,,,n ,..r reu anu was prepared to support col
az. ~ 10 regulate Preferences among be-
dltors and 20 prevent fraud hsins Tin
'petrated by debtors" The bill for NE str