Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-19

| OF. IL may be said, however. that this
system OF taxation prevails In otner
| places. ! know II does. but that does
not prove its equity. have not had
time TO get comparative statistics but
| from one city. and that IL the largest
| manufacturing city In this country.
| Philadelphia merchants are taxed there
one tax 20 cover both city and state, and
| | will give you some comparisons: III
| a man with $1,000 Is going to do $1,000
| business. and finds his taxes in Richmond
would be s3A. and I'm Philadelphia $40.
H. II any wonder he overlooks many
| splendid natural Advantages Richmond
| may have and chooses Philadelphia?
THE COLLECTION LAWS.
"The other matter that think Is de-
| trimental TO our city is the present
debtor and creditor laws, or collection
laws. / don't think | am saying, too
much when say they are unfair. unjust,
and put a premium on dishonesty. In
| fact. they seem so carefully framed to
protect the debtor that the temptation TO
take advantage Of him IL almost too
much for an honest man. Now. these
work against new industries here In this
way: First. II the industry expects TO
do a local business IN city or State
finds no protection for its sales, and the
risk of bad debts being heavy in conse-
quence OF poor laws, discourages busi-
ness-men at the outset; but II also ope-
rates in another and more Injurious way
to new enterprises. Many Of these are OF
small capital. without an established re-
putation, and have rating to make.
They look for their supplies OF raw ma
terials largely on regular business credits,
but are met with, no. we don't care
10 do business in Virginia with any
houses. except those whose credit is be-
yond question, because we have no pro-
lection, You may be honest, but II you
don't want TO be the laws give you an
the protection you want; you can ran
and prefer all your friends. ana We ger
nothing We prefer TO do our business
and place our money where the laws
protect IT better So. then. small capl-
taIists desiring to come here find staring
them In the face the fact that, owing
TO bad laws. they are not able 10 get
the advantages they would be able 10
secure in other places.
Il 20 still further. and say that good
collecton-laws would largely increase our
credit in this way; Every one, tnlhh,
who sells goods in Virginia reels that
every dollar is risk-that Is that
the debtor makes an assignment he mas
practically no prospect OF getting cent,
so that he limits the amount OF credit
10 the amount he feels he can risk 10
lose on the account: but suppose that
through having better laws. all creditors
secured on an average OF 20 cents on tine
dollar Of their bad debts. would nler-
chants not feel inclined in that case to
fix the line OF credit at twice the amount
they wanted to rsk2 THIS mas
proved to be an actual fact. and l
say that the present laws work an IN
Jury to small and new enterprises through
a than, ~ pfpper credit
"In the system or method OF taxing
manufactures and merchants. and In
the collection-l1ws of our State" Mr..
Nlunce concluded, we have what |
think a serious hndrance TO our COM
mercial Advancement. and | think II you
will put yourself in the place OF
stranger VINO IS looking around for
location for n business you VIII ma
hat these questions arr among the hrst
he will ask and consider. would not
have spoken OF them tonight did / feel
tbev were irremedlabIe but. on the
contrary. 7 think both these disadvan-
t,ees could he removed, II gone
about I'm a proper manner; and think
il would be worth while for the proper
committee Of this Chamber 70 look into
both questions and see II | am right IN
thinking that their present statutes ope-
rate against the interests OF the city and
state. and. If so, what steps should be
taken for their remedy" (Applause) ~
Number Of Factories.
Mr.. n. Y. Randolph was next intro
duced, and, in the course OF his remarks
said:
'''The first report made by the Richmond
Dispatch as 10 the manufactures of Rch-
mond. ! think, was about twelve years
ago. and the number as then given was
about 40 institutions The last report
on the lst Of January, 1895. was 2i facto-
ries-certainly a very handsome Increase
I'm from ten 10 twelve years. These fac-
tories have increased with some adj
vantages and with many disadvantages,
and the first and most serious disadYan-
tage has been the lack OF practical me
chanics. or men who understood their
business i'm which they are engaged.
The increase I'm the number OF
manufacturing plants during the past ten
or twelve years Of about 400. and from
about 1900 wage-earners to 5000, gives
evidence that our people are willing ana
able TO learn the intricacies Of the manu-
featuring business. Another DIS
advantage Richmond has labored under
has been i'm the discriminating freight
rates. j am happy 10 say that the bureau
now organized by this Chamber ana al
work has rectIfied some Of the gross In
justice that the citizens Of Richmond
and particularly the manufacturers. have
suffered at the hands Of the transporta-
ton people,
should OFFER Inducements.
At the conclusion Of the splendid speech
Of Mr.. Randolph, Colonel G. +. Wingo
arose and stated that Mr.. Joseph b.
Davis, Of the Davis Shoe Company, was
In the audience. and suggested that he
be called upon for a few remarks This
was done. and Mr.. Davis had something
to say concerning the best means OF in
ducing outside capital to come TO Rich
mond. He averred that this city had
every natural advantage for the manu-
featuring business, and should be teem-
ing with all sorts of enterprises OF this
kind lie spoke Of the need Of harness
ing mp the James river and saving her
water-pOwer for the factories, which could
be put into active operation upon her
banks. and thereby give employment and
subsistence to Richmond's citizens. Mr..
Davis declared that our people needed 10
offer inducements TO outside capital.
There was an abundance Of IL which
could be easily gotten here II We pre-
scented proper advantages. lie suggested
the donation OF factory sites and
such other encouragement as might
bring moneyed men here with their capi-
tai. and have them invest In plants or
different kinds. and thereby assist in the
building up of our beautiful city.
Continue the Electric Lights.
At this juncture Hon. J. Taylor Ellyson
arose and called the attention Of the
Chamber 20 the fact that owing 10 the
recent action Of the Council Committee
on Light. the electric lights upon the
streets OF the city Of Richmond would
soon be turned out and our thorough
fares Illuminated by gas-lamps. He took
the ground that a city OF our proportions
could not afford 10 return to such proyin-
cialism, and offered the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas, the action OF the Committee
on Light OF the city Council. in cOnse-
quence Of the failure OF the Council 20
make the proper appropriation, In direct |
ing that the lighting Of the streets and |
public parks OF the city by electricity |
be discontinued after the 18th instant |
viii result in serious inconvenience 20 |
our citizens and be detrimental to the |
business interests OF this community:
therefore.
Resolved. first, That the President Of |
the Common Council be requested to |
call a special meeting Of that body TO |
reconsider its refusal TO make the ne |
cessary appropriation for lighting the |
streets and public parks by electricity, |
and that the Council be earnestly re- |
quested TO make an appropriation. at |
least, sufficient TO provide electric-lights |
until the policy OF the Council in refer |
ence TO the establishment OF an electric |
plant shall have been definitely deter |