The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-03
What Riehmona's Citizens should 10.

To Tho Editor Of The Times:
Sir.-poople who are weu acquainted
With Richmond frequently remark On Tue
many excellent qualifications OF ne" DUST
ness men and citizens. a large proper
ton Of our manufacturers and merchants
are hroad-cauced. liberal and energetii'
and do not AXE a narrow ana seillsh We"
OF things generally. our buHiiess men, az
a rule. push the various lines III "hlch
they arc engaged with vigct ana eheIss'
and usually with success, and yet there
are certain Obstacles that greatly hihuer
the onward march Of progress ir our
midst and II behCoves us sometimes to
stop and consider the difficulties and dis
| advantages OF our environments, as wei
as their blessings and Advantages. Rich
! mona is extremely conservative, and con-
servatism IS an excellent business quai-
ncation, provided il does not degenerate
into narrOwrtss.
Tile impression seems to be very gem
eral that business wall steadily improve
from this time forward All OF the signs
Of the times point that way. The atmos-
Ihere is clearing up. What we need TO 90
now Is 10 20 10 work IN good earnest
and arrange 10 push business in vigor-
Gus and energetic manner We have rea-
son to hope that the next five or six
years will be years of great business ac-
tivity. but only those who look aheaG.
and plan for 80 increasing. enlarging and
extending their business - as 10 get The
best results from earnest effort, VIII
reap the rewards in store for them. The
slowgoing. slcepy-headed men may easily
find themselves distanced by their more
progressive competitors And while We are
planning for pushing our individual enter
prises. every patriotic son OF Richmond
should be thoroughly aroused and fully
impressed with the importance Of pushing
onward the general business interests OF
the city. II is right and proper TO sive
careful and close attention 10 orr dlily
avocaiions. II Is also right for us 10 de-
vote a fair share Of our attention 10 the
welfare Of the community II has been
wisely said that eternal vigilance is the
price OF liberty. and 10 may be as appro-
priately said that eternal vigilance is tho
price Of success. We have, in connection
with our Chamber Of Commerce ana Grain
and Tobacco Exchange. men standing on
The watch-tOwers. endeavOrine In every
way 10 promote the business interest OF
Richmond. We need to hold up the hands
Of these men, and by combined effort TO
cooperate In advertising the advantages
OF Richmond 10 the world as a manu-
featuring and business centre Richmond
Is the gateway Of the South, and possesses
peculiar advantages. IN that she has eN-
cellent and cheap facilities for sending
her wares TO the North, Fast and West
as well as almost controlling the large
bulk of the southern trade. \ combined
effort Of some OF our staunch business
men. who were assisted by the Traffic
Bureau of the Chamber Of Commerce
was the means Of securing very sub
stantial reduction in freight charges on
goods shipped from this point 10 western
cities Without such an effort, intelligent
w directed. Richmond would De paying
decidedly higher freghts ia proportion
for shipping goods 10 Louisville, Cmcin-
natl, Chicago and other western towns
than some Of her eastern competitors.
This one instance is sufficient 10 show
the advantages Of combining our efforts
and our influence. In years gone by
large part of Rlchmond's wealth was
accumulated IN the tobacco trade, and UNI
fortunately many Of our substantial fnan-
ciers haven't sufficient confidence b. other
lines Of manufacture and In other enter
prises. We need 70 diversity our manu-
features We need 10 pay more attention
20 the manufacture OF finer grades of
goods, requiring a better class of skilled
labor. and paying a propOrti0nately better
profit 10 those who engage in IL. Our many
excellent educational institutions are
helping materially 10 elevate the standard
and instead OF letting our brightest and
best young men and women seek other
fields for COngenial emplOymeni we
should help them TO find desirable and
profitable employment in congeniai lines
where their talent and ability would be
handsomely rewarded. II We continue TO
scatter our energies IL will be a long.
long time before Richmond comes 10 the
'front.' and occupies that pro minence that
she ought 10 occupy as one Of The most
progressive and influential cities OF the
land. Let US meet together and talk over
the difficulties and disadvantages that
have hindered us In the past. Let US see
II remedies cannot be suggested and new
ideas offered that will bee the means Of
enabling our business community 10 work
closer together. extending. as far as we
can, helping hand. where IL is deserved,
10 any and every worthy enterprise. Let
no more Richmond men seek investments
in other fields, SO long as thee are op-
portunities for assisting and building up
the various struggling enterprises already
established IN our city and vicinity. Hear
~, sympathetic cooperation will
strengthen the nerves. enlarge the capa-
CITY ana nelp In every way the business
men OF this city. especially the beginners.
We heartily commend the suggestion that
has been made. TO hold a series Of meet
ings IN the Chamber Of Commerce to dis
cuss these questions. We consider 10 an
exceedingly favorable time 10 begin such
a movement ard we hope that our people
VIII show their interest and appreciation
by attending in large numbers. and max
ing such suggestions as may occur 10
them as to the best plans Tor promoting
the prosperity OF Richmond and Virginia.
PHILO RICHMOND.