The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-20
,uycu,MBER COMMERCE MEET
ING.

NM cu,MgFR oFCOMMERCE MEET
ING.
The discussion al tho meeting OF ousi-
moss men in our Chamber OF commerce
building Thursday evening Was most III
teresting. and contained suggestions '"a'
may have the germs of movements most
imrortapt 10 Richmond's trade ana P'o-
eress Mr.. MiIhiser's suggestion that the
merchants OF Richmond subscribe 10
fund 10 purchase steamer that WIN
make a round trip week from ana ~
New York seems 10 us one of ohinoh
merit. There is no possible question that
~ our merchants owned such steamer
and charged only snch rates as were
necessary TO pay interest on the invest
ment. insurar &C. a repair fund ana the
expcnscs Of running tae boat, they couio
have a great part Of what they buy III
Now York, and sell thus transported TO
each place at rates far below what they
now nay. But the incalculablc advantage
would accrue 10 them of meeting at New
York competing lines by rail and steam
or a every part OF the habitapie "orio'
and-ts >es. ..ol,lA thoroi,y be able TO sell
TO and buy from such parts Of the world
as they wished TO trade with upon the
very best terms. IT ought TO take very
little capital to start this enterprise and
IL seems to us to have elements IN II
OF universal outcome.
Mr.. Muncc's address also contained sug-
ecstions of the last importance.
There can be no question that our laws
imposing q separate tax on a merchants
capital every time he turns it over. work
TO the greatest possible disadvantage of
men with small means. who look for
their profit to their energy and enter
prise in turning their money over quickly
and frequently, and to the advantage
of men with large capital who make
comparatively few transactions at great
cr profits. I his is total reversal of the
true theory of the We want
NANNY industries as possible, and we
want. therefore. to encourage the small
dealers in every way that we can. There
should be no discrimination Of no sort.
All men should be taxed in exactly the
same way. But certainly care should be
taken that the small dealers are put at
no disad, aniage in comparison with the
large ones
MIR. Munce's remarks In regard 20 the
ineficiency of our laws for securing cred
itors who have trusted failing debtors
are fun of practical sense also But we
despair Of securing any amendment in
them FOR long time to come. Nirginia's
Legislature is dominated by agriculture,
representatives. and these always Kick
against any legislation in favor of the
creditor. The only man entitled to
consideration in THOR view Is the debtor.
They are not interested. however 10
make unfair Determinations against our
small merchants, and they can probably
be appealed 20 successfully TO correct
that inequality In our taxing laws.
The statements made by Mr. Bryan
OF the experience OF the Richmond Loco
motive and Machine Works have had
IN drawing their skilled labor from our
own native population ought to be a
source OF great qualification 20 the people
OF Virginia. II only goes TO prove what
every mans experience teaches him TO
he true. that the best man for any bust
ness Is the well-raiscd. self-respectmg
man. The men whom this institution
has drawn from our population have been
raised In Virginia homes under tho teach
inss OF Virginia mothers. and the in
fluenccs Of the Christian religion, and as
soon as they 10 into new fields. whether
they be the fields of the skilled mechanic
or what not. the influences which have
made them courageous. self-respccting
men. make them the leaders OF those
they are brought into contact with, wher-
ever u may be-
There is nothing so important to a
community that expects to become a
manufacturing one as reserve of popu-
iation upon which il can draw at will
for all the skilled labor that II viii need.
and the experience OF the Locomotive
Works proves that We can draw on our
population for any number that may be
wanted. which are the very best that
can be had.
Another advantage OF the first rank;
is 10 be noted Ia this connection. our
people have never been educated I'm the
perricious doctrines OF socialism that are
taught all the working classes OF EG-
rope and the northern states. and we
hope that no book that teaches these pes