Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-29
UPTOWN OFFICE. "a EAST BROAD
tw.ntea, Concentrated Public spirit

II this city Of Richmond pubic
spirited community? Well. We shouldn'
like to say that It is not. but really W.
It Is.
As q matter OF fact our people have
clenty of public spirit. but It Is COINS
about loose. disjointed, and disorsanized'
II Is not available for business purposes
What 10 needed Is that 1t should be
caught UP and unified and soldined'
Ind set to work In given directions.
Under proper leaders.
We think that we are entitled TO say
that the Richmond newspapers do their
part towards advancing the citys In
terests. but they often feel that they
ere not sustained by businessmen. For
Instance here we have been taking
about the annexation OF Manchester for
months and months but as yet the An
pexation Committee have received but
tcant encouragement from our business
men.
Again the papers Of the day have had
column after column on thefsubject OF
the removal to the South Of various
New England enterprises. What have
we done to make known to the persons
interested the attractions OF Richmond
- an Industrial centre? People OF other
ttstes are getting up immigrant excursion
trains to bring 10 the South land-buyers
from the West and Northwest. What
have we done. what are we going TO
". in that direction?
But more important stlll-what are we
noing. what have we done. TO sustain
Ind encourage the worthy men who are
conducting valuable enterprises here and
who are bravely struggling against hard
times and dull markets? Are We cheering
them on? Are we helping them in their
monetary affairs? Are we giving them
suggestions of value? II we are doing
ell Of these things. then indeed we have
public spirit here-helpfui. practical, tan
kible public spirit. II not. then IT seems
90 us that We should get together and
talk our situation over and organize. and
resolve TO make business hum and
push Richmond ahead yes. not only
stalk Richmond up" but work Rich
hond up
good advertising given her on the sub
Sect o; her advantages and attractions,
and she can command as much more Of
q as she wishes. but 1t will not avail
her very much unless 1t is backed up
b. organization and enthusiasm. We par
ticularly need enthusiasm. The enthu-
elastic men that we have should be
yorcca TO the front The business-tide
h rising. and we ought TO make ready
10 take IT at its food.
1t would be a good thing IL we Rich
monders would solemnly and deliberate
" resolve to make this year memorable
In our Industrial history. In the course
Of a few months our grand hotel Will
Be opened. From what Mr.. ingalls, says.
soon we may hope to see work begun on
the belt line and passenger depot OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company.
And from time to time other enterprises
viii appear in sight. and may be used
60 our advantage If we VIII but avail
ourselves Of our opportunities.
But the disheartening thing Is that our
businessmen do not get together al
often as they should. and do not often
enough unite In public enterprise. Let
US resolve to reform this altogether. Let
us have a series of busincss-men's meet
ings. Let our bankers. merchants. and
manufacturers come together and con-
suit with one another; consult az to the
present and scheme and plan as to the
Future.
We look to the Chamber Of Commerce,
hon, to take the lead in this movement
Let 1t lead and let US follow II into a
new life this year. and let our chief aim
be to develop and concentrate public
spirit.