Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-14

possibilities: but, so far as undeveloped.
they will not In the living present bring
single Industry TO Richmond.
CfTY'S GROWTH AND PROGRESS.
IL Is not Inconsistent with the concern
recently indicated in the subject TO say
that we cannot record during the pre-
ceding year the usual growth OF manu-
featuring interests. But. Notwithstanding,
some new enterprises OF importance have
been established, brought about by our
special needs or our fitness for them, and
number OF important works Of both
private and a public character are under
consideration. There has also IN other
directions been growth and development,
which, under the existing conditions, was
most gratifying. A remarkable amount
OF building OF a general character mas
gone on. The State Library building Is
just about completed, and will afford our
people. under the wise provision OF our
City Council for an assistant librarian. the
use OF a most valuable public library-a
want long felt. Our handsome uptown
hotel, the Jefferson. will he finished IN
the fall. an abatioir has just been COM
pleted. which, while constructed with
reference TO the special needs OF one or
our manufacturers, may, IL Is hoped,
afford facilities for Strengthening the cat
tie for our markets. or by its demon
SlTdttu advantages fdu W Ah' NAN~stN"
of one for that desirable purpose.
HEALTH OF ALE CITY.
'The health OF Richmond. in which the
Chamber has for every consideration
taken such profound and continuous I'M
terest, is now shown by the official MGR
tuary statistics. by recent report or
the chairman OF your Committee on
Health ard Sanitation, and 10y other
public documents. to compare favorabiy
w'sh that OF the most healthy cities OF
the country. In all these developments
the Chamber. OF course, feels the greatest
concern, and they are each and every
one most timely and important.
Our city during the next twelve months
will be the scene OF a number Of in
terssting and large gatherings-such as
the annual meeting OF the southern
Wholesale Groccrs' Association and the
convention OF the United Confederate
Veterans. To meet the demands OF these
occasions we will be better equipped than
ever before. The assertion may be ven
turned that no visitor from any quar-
ter-and they will come from every di-
rectlon-wili fail 10 be impressed with
the order. the beauty. the prosperity. the
attractions of our city. and the character
and hospitality OF our people. These
meetings cannot fail TO make known cur
many advantages. and TO invite for the
future. II they do not secure at the time.
accessions TO our wealth and popula-
ton.
TIE BUSINESS SITUATION.
THE business depression. which. TO
greater or less degree. characterized both
1898 and 1894, slowly, bat. it is hoped.
suerly. began to be relieved at the COM
mencement OF 1895.
Anxiety gradually lessened: business
In great measure adjusted ,tself 10 the
new, and. in some cases. trying condi-
uons, and the recUperative powers of
the country have almost imperceptibly,
like the vegetation of spring, infused
gratifying degree of activity in the in
dustries and renewed life into trade.
This Improvement is reflected not only in
increased railroad earnings and bank
clearings. but the prices OF many articles
have advanced and failures both during
and since the period of greatest depres-
sion, have been. under the circumstances,
remarkably small
with absolute confidence In the pros
poets Of this community, IL its people are
but true 10 themselves and their oppor-
tunities. the cordial and loyal support
OF every member is evoked at this auspi-
cious time 10 work for the general good.
in which each has a share as sctual. II
not as distinct, as they have in their
individual pursuits.
DEBT ON THE BUILDING.
Before concluding this report there is
matter so nearly touching the reputa-
ton OF the Chamber that not 10 bring
II 10 your attention on this occasion would
be dereliction Of duty. The building
we now occupy was completed in 1893
under difficulties incident to the times,
and cost some $4,000 more than the esti-
mates. IL was opened for tenants during
the fall Of that year-a period not favora-
be 20 the success Of such an enterprise
but fortunately enough tenants were Sc
cured 10 about pay the interest other
fixed charges and running expenses from
the start. with rental rates from 10 TO 20
per cent. less than would have been OBJ
tainable under normal circumstances.
There still remains. however. a part Of the
debt S-S the cost of construction and
completion OF the building unpaid.
"A special meeting was called at the
instance Of your Finance Committee
March 7, 1894. to negotiate bonds to the
amount OF $1,000 for the purpose Of fund
ing this debt, and the committee. with
the aid OF the directory, have since en-
deavored faithfully to place the entire
issue. But. after about half OF the bonds
had been disposed of to friends of the
organization, in 1894 further effort was
suspended owing TO the feeling of de-
preston at that time and TO the fact that
just at that juncture another deserving
institution was forced TO call upon the
community for its liberal aid. Tine
Finance Committee has now again taken
up the matter, but has not met with the
ready response expected under what were
deemed more favorable conditions for ne
gotiating the balance OF these bonds.
They were purposely made small-only
$2j each-and under an arrangement with
the principal creditors. are payable in
five annual instruments Of s.. IL desired by
the purchaser, so they are within the
reach Of all. 1t is sincerely hoped that
this meeting will take vigorous action
looking 10 the disposition of the balance
now on HANDLES bonds. amounting to
only $3.50. The credit OF the Chamber
and it's well-deserved reputation for en-
terprise and public spirit Is involved in
this matter, and the debt should be
promptly funded Your officers and direc-
tors feel assured that this will be the
sentiment OF the entire membership Of
the Chamber. and that they can count
upon your loyal aid and cooperation In
relieving them and the Chamber OF the
burden OF this debt upon the building
which We have now occupied for nearly
two years.
THANK THE OFFICERS.
"In closing this report. | thank the
officers, the board, and the various COM
mittees for their cheerful and effective
work / cannot speak too highly of your
secretary, Mr. r. A. Dunlop. His I'M
firing and devoted attention to the in
terests of the Chamber are beyond all
praise"
TO FUND THE DEBT.
Upon motion OF Colonel Purcell. the re-
port OF the president was received with
the thanks OF the Chamber. for his able
review OF the work of the organization,
and ordered to be spread upon the min
utes and printed. Colonel Purcell
then moved suspension OF the order OF
business to consider that portion or the
report relating to the debt upon the build
ing, which motion being acqueisced In
By the meeting, he made an earnest APP
peal 10 the members present 10 cooperate
with. the Finance Committee In their
effort 10 fund the debt. he explained
that the excess in cost OF the building
over the estimates and funds provided
was no neglect on the part OF the Build
ing Committee; but was an expense IN
CURED 10 make Improvements which were
fo,oa ahaolufely necessary 10 render the