The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-03


Richmond. Va. April ?. lSgi
20 the Honorable. the Members Of the
city Council.
Ccntlcmcn.-I have the honor 20 submit
f8r y0Cr consideration my Annual Report
v.th accompanying recommendations
Cor which 4 ask your careful consideIa-
lion.
The year 1875 will long be remembered
as year Of almost uneNampied CONNER
cal industrial. and financial depression.
Richmond stood the ordeal bravey, ana
she has entered upon the new year full
az hope and courage. There We're many
things TO stimulate Us in the experience
OF last year. The number OF failures
among our merchants and manufacturers
we're few and of no magnitude. Nothing
could have more clearly demonstrated the
fO.idity Of our banking institutions. and
the confidence OF our people in their
management than the fact that there was
not a single failure and no serious dis
crust manifested at any time during all
the excitement OF last summer concern
ing any one Of our banking institutions
The result was that our banks came
out OF the trial unframed, ana with an
increasing hold upon the confidence OF
the people. The clearinSs OF our bahhlns
Institutions during the year amounted 10
s6OsOl7I73. our 30 manufacturing estaD-
.osGS hands. and their sales amounted
10 S35slOSS9. And, Notwithstanding
che almost total paralysis of business
Tor several months Of the year. the sales
Of our jobbers amounted TO $S2,7Z,sSO.
one OF the most gratifying evidences
Of the prosperity Of the city was fur
nlshed in the large number Of new build
ings that were erected in almost every
section OF the city. This was true not
only OF the city. but also OF our suburban
villages. Within our corporate limits
alone. there were six hundred and eleven
new houses erected. whose aggregate val
ne was one million. two hundred and
nineiy-nine thousand. seven hundred dol
lars. or the more important structures,
the Chamber of Commerce was finished
during the year, and the new city Hail
WIS completed and occupied. Work on
the splendid new hotel, THE Jefferson"
was begun. and viii be rapidly pushed
1' completion. / do not know any people
who have more 10 cheer and encourage
TEN in their manufacturing and business
outlook than the people of Richmond.
soldiers ar d sailors Monument.
The Monument in memory of the Con
tolerate Soldiers and Sailors Will soon
b. completed, and will be unveiled on the
ath Of May. This will be another added
o. the many beautiful monuments which
have been erected in recent years to com
memmorate the heroism and valor of the
Confederate Soldier.
The most important event in our mu-
nlcpal history during the year was the
completion Of our new City Hail. which
has been finished at a net cost OF
$1,000, and which was Occu-
pied by the city officers for the first
time on February 18th. Of this year. 1t
S. one Of the handsomest and in all re-
spects one OF the most admirably adapted
70 its uses Of any municipal building in
This country. Ii stands an enduring mon
ument 10 the taste Of the architect, the
skill OF the supervising engineer. and
above all 10 the workmanship and abili-
ty Of the mechanics Of Richmond.
Public schools
There is nothing OF which we are so
justly proud as our public schools.
Their growing efficiency and usefulness
S. an occasion Of congratulatiOn 10 all
who have taken any part in their de-
yelopment. We have now employed in
our public schools II principals and ~
teachers who give instruction TO u,Os
pupils The city appropriated TO the pub
lc schools last year Sl16.SS495. The Cen
trail School building has been erected dur
ius the year at a cost OF S2S 900. and will,
in a few weeks. be ready for occupancy.
NCtwiihstai ding the generous apprOpra-
Cctncil. we are yet in need Of additional
school accommodations.
The growth Of population in the west
ern section OF the city has already more
than taxed the caTacity Of our school
buildings in that district. We have been
compelled 70 rent three houses near the
West End School TO accommodate the
overflow from that building, and there
are still other children who cannot be
provided for either at West End or Mad
ison Schools. I would, therefore earn
estly recommend an appropriation for
another school builcing TO be located on
the lot on Randolph street, now owned
iy the city,
Richmond is fortunate in having cit
zen soldiery Of which she may well be
proud. and IL should be our pleasure bv
generous appropriations to add 10 their
continued effectiveness and strength The
stuart Horse Guard Armory has recently
been completed. The appropriation of
$4,000 made 10 the Richmond Howitzers
VIII be sufficient TO furnish that admirable
organization with comfortable quarters.
The money given for the support of our
military is money wisely invested. our
young men who enter the military service
should be made 70 feel that their services
are appreciated and should at all
Tines be ready 10 give them our most
hearty encouragement and support.
Finance
on the First day OF February, 1898. the
city had a cash balance TO her credit in
bank OF S4769.T; floating debt of
s226716.79: and a bonded debt OF $6525, SCI. so.
Al the close Of the fiscal year ending
January CT, 1894, the report of the auditor
shows cash balance OF $S1. 1881: a float
ing debt OF S333. 723.0l. and a bonded debt
Of sG.7Ss. 0S2GO If we add 10 the above
s2li 500 bonds authorized but not issued.
We have left $675 $3.50. as our margin of
bonded limit Ii will thus be seen that
during the twelve months past our float
Ing debt has been increased $i07 oo6.25. and
our bonded debt s26O.4l7. TO which. If
we add the bonds authorized 10 be issued,
the real increase in our bonded indebted
ness during the year was A1,9l7.
The following appropriations were made
during the year. in addition To those pro-
vided for In the appropriation ordinance
Tor 1893:
Jan. II. 1893. Second Market ex-
hpril 1. 1893, CulVerts............. 40 80
aiay .. 1898. Interment Jefferson
Davis ............................. 1850 10
Aug. 10, 1898 Pump Horses........ 5000 %
oct g. 1898 jefferson Park. 1900 %
oct g. 1893, Health Department
pay roll. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. b.i9l 90
oct. 3. 1899. crematory. SIS 90
Nov H. 1S03 James River i'm