Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-12-31
ALEXANDRIA IN 1895.

has been completed anu peI ci.iAonei -
thew are not, should he thankful to
kind Providence for the many blessings
vouchsafed them and that the city OF
old Belle Haven has been spared any
serious calamity during the year.
Ere this article has been read by
many the books of the Alexandria
merchants will have been balanced for
the wear and it can be stated with par
donable pride that the balances in but
few Instances show on the wrong SIDE,
This is gratifying statement when II
ia taken into consideration that the
wear 1895 was one of great depresshe
in business in most of the cities With
| country. Many men have bees of To-
out employment; many boy the dull
dustry have been affeetf ali things has
times, and econog>but still Alexan-
/ been the watcNn behind in the race
dria has notner people have shown
of life, able spirit of enterprise and
COMFY has we'll kept up in the march
liprogress.
The city continues to extend its lin
its; several new enterprises have been
started; old ones have been enlarged
and others are contemplated.
The recent establishment by the B. &
O. r. r. of a depot on the water front
of the city and the increased facilities
afforded the merchants for receiving
and shipping goods is an indication of
the Importance in which Alexandria is
held by the railroad, while the preps-
rations now being made by the South
ern Railway, one of the largest corpo-
rations in the country, for establishing
extensive shops just west of Alexan-
dria, promise at an early date to add
both wealth and population to this
city. The railroad interests in Alex
andria are gradually increasing and it
seems strange that the out of date and
Insignificant depot buildings have not
been replaced by handsome and more
modern structures. Indeed the pres
emit buildings are reflection on the
city, and tie large revenues received
by the railroads centering here certain
ly enti.le Alexandria to more imposing
.lructures-depot buildings commensur-
.te with the city's importance.
The city's growth has not been re
sarded during the year and her limits
continue to expand. What shoit
time ago were considered suburbs are
no longer such, the city having extend
ID in all directions beyond those points
rhe population, it is believed. shows 9
corresponding increase, while pros
poets for the future in this direction are
encouraging.
A substantial evidence of the city's
growth is shown by the increase in the
assessments of both real and personal
property. The city, too, this year was
enabled to slightly reduce the rate OF
taxation, and it is believed that still
urther reduction in the tax rate would
be beneficial, for people are more apt
TO build HOUSES when they know that
he taxes will not consume all the
RMS.
Within short time now the electric
railway will be in operation between
this city and Washington, with a
branch line to Arlington. This road
has opened up the country between
this city and lower Fairfax county as
far as Mt. Vernon, bringing much bust
ntss to this city, and with the line run
ming almost through Alexandria coun-
ty business from that section will also
Do brought here. But Alexandria will
derive IFS greatest benefit from this
road by its extension to Washington.
Then will follow frequent and quick
communication between the two cities
and Alexandria will, it is believed, re-
ceive large share of the overflow oil
population from the capital city. With
cheaper rents, good schools, pure wa
.er, healthy location and other induce
ments which this city offers, it cannot
fail to attract some of the many whose
business is in Washington, but whose
means will not allow them TO live
nearly SO comfortably there as they
could here for the same money.
Few cities in the country have bet
ter railroad and steamboat facilities
than Alexandria, and no city Can be
easier gotten to or from. With deep
water and fine docks, the largest yes
sells can be loaded and unloaded almost
at tho warehouse doors, while many OF
the largest trunk lines of railroads 10
the country pass through the city's
streets, carrying freight and passengers
iu every direction and bringing Alexan-
dria in direct connection with the prin-
cipal cities of the country.
In their annual rounds TO ascertain
from merchants the volume and condi
ton of the business of the city during
the year, that a comparison with the
previous year might be made, the re-
porters of the GAZETTE have been graf
fled to hear such encouraging reports.
In many instances increase of trade
and business were reported; many
others said I'VE have held our own"
while but q few stated that their bust
Less had fallen off.
Even if the general business of the
city was not as active as might have
been desired and though not as much
money was made by some of the mer.
chants during the year (Which all
will admit has been dull one COM
mercially), the business has not dimin-
ished, and any city which held lis
own during sucn period OF depression
is to be congratulated. Alexandria be
ing in this category, her merchants
and business men should take courage
and increase their endeayors to sd-
vance the material interests of the city.
The recent organization of the Bust
ness Mems League, it is hoped, will do