Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-01

Whitcomb.. engineer IN charge OF the
James. river Improvement As this i'm
portaAt work goes on and the river 10
deepensd 10 accommodate vessels of
greater draft, We may expect to zee
some revival OF our shipping interests
Ut the port Of Richmond, matter In
which she community and especially all
businessmen cannot feel too deep a con-
Germ.
The health OF Richmond has been most
gratifying. and the vital statistics are
now such as to fully vindlcate its repu-
tauon As one OF the healthiest cities In
the Union.
Our educational facilities continue year
by year to Increase and improve. and in
deed In every particular Richmond has
never been. so far as local conditions are
concerned. in a position 10 offer more at
fractions and advantages as a place of
residence or a business centre.
Notwithstanding the duh times, both the
city AMI its suburbs have continued TO be-
come more beautiful and attractive. While
the amount OF building in progress has.
OF course not kept pace with that OF
years Immediately preceding the present,
new structures may be seen In almost
every direction. The State Library build
ing viii be ready for occupancy early in
the year. which will render the valuable
State Library more available and useful
20 the public than II has ever been. and
thus supply want long felt in the COM
munity.
Our elegant uptown hotel 1.-THE Jeffer-
SON. will be completed during the COM
ing year. and offcr such an attractive
southern hosiery 10 visitors that doubt
less their number will be greatly in
creased. which will in many ways operate
TO the advantage Of the city. Plans are
now said TO be ready 10 begin another
handsome depot. which will be OF char
acter 20 compensate the public for the
delay IN concentrating the necessary ar
Tangements.
The Chamber. like all other institutions.
closely identified with the business inter
csts OF the city. has felt the times sensi-
bly, in It's affairs. II has. nevertheless.
tndeavored 10 carry on Its very important
work without discouragement Since the
annual meeting Il has had its other
regular meetings and considered the usual
number Of questions relating 10 business
affairs. In addition TO these. IL has or
ganized n new and important department.
known as its Traffic Bureau" an agency
which must prove OF the greatest value to
our merchants and manufacturers in all
matters relating TO transportation. and
thus place Richmond upon the same foot
ing with other progressive cities In this
line.
IMMIGRATION AND GOOD ROADS.
In October an "immigration convention
was held I'm the Chambers rooms under
the auspices Of the Virginia Agricultural
and Mechanical Society. which resulted
in the organization Of an immigration as
ISOLATION for Virginia, designed TO secure
a thrifty white agricultural class for the
farm lands OF the State. for which move
pt.I1x
BILE and the motives prompting /. most
powerful. both in Virginia and IN the
sections from which immigrants are ex-
pected.
During the same month n "goOd-roads
convention. called by the Young Mems
Business League, OF Roanoke. was held
in the Chamber, which resulted in the
formation Of s. permanent ''good-roads
league" having in view the improvement
Of our country roads. a matter so essen
tial and important to the economical
transportation of produce from the points
of production TO the depots or markets OF
the state. and the transportation OF re
turn supplies therefrom. that even th'
greatest possible reduction Of railroad
intrastate rates could not begin Z
bestoyy the same benefcent results upor
either the agricultural sections or tbs
cities of the Commonwealth.
In conclusion. II is most gratifying L
note the manner in which each recurring
wear marks the growth of our city II
the minds and affections Of our southern
people, not only as a growing business
centre but as one from which radlat'
those influences which should. and DO
reflect the true sentiment and control th'
highest and noblest interests or our PEG
pie. In other words, I believe that Ken
mond Is more truly the representative
city of the South to-day than al any othe
period in its history.
GEORGE l.. CHRISTIAN,
President Chamber Of Commerce.