The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-22
AID WEsTERN.

AlFlNe tItlmONt .s........ss......s.s..s.f .II
Returning about $50 =. NJ.
The association has prepared part
OF its advertising matter ana one of its
advertising sheets win read as follows.
Easter holiday excursion TO Richmond.
Tuesday. April 7th.
on Tuesday April 18th, the business
mon Of Richmond viii run n special train
from points given below 10 Richmond.
giving the greatest opportunity 10 visit
Richmond ever made. This excursion
will be run with great care. Spe-
cial coaches will be devoted to women
and children. and there will be ample
accommodation FOR all.
POTTS OF INTEREST.
Richmond is the greatest shopping city
in the South. and on this day the mef-
chants of Richmond Will offer special bar
gain sales on MI spring goods for the
purpose OF getting acquainted with out
of-town buyers. who will find II 20 their
advantage 10 come to Richmond, and sup
plv their needs. There is more assort-
ments i'm the stores of Richmond, and
lower prices than in any Other city In the
South Even if you have only smali
amount of buying 10 do, or none, lot
that matter it will pay You to Nisit me
capital. 10 see the Jefferson Hotel the
handsomest hotel in the world, the now
Library building. the Jefferson laws
Confederate Museum-the old jefferson
Davis mar sion-and other points that
make Richmond historical ana faiuous.
In addition to the many attractions That
will he offered in Richmond on April an
for the pleasure of the eNcursionlsts IL
has been arranged by the members OF
the Tobacco Exchange TO coniuct on that
dav a large sale Of tobacco.
The Baltimore Baseball Club VIII ar
rive I'm Richmond from their southern
practice tour on that day, and the lich-
mond team will play game WIN 'he
twice champions.
OBJECTION or COUNTRY MEF-
CHANTS.
Owing TO the fact that some Of the
couutrv merchants on the lines OF the
nroDosed excursions have raised oblec-
lions TO the scheme on the ground That
their business viii be injured, Mr.. q. G.
Earle. on behalf of the Executive Com
ruittee of the Association for the Devel-
opmeut of Richmond Trade. at the re-
quest OF The Times made the following
statement yesterday.
The objection of some OF the coun-
try merchants TO the reduced rates which
the business men are going TO offer out
of-town people April 9Th 10 induce them
to come to this city are childish and un-
reasonable. 1t is in new form the old
objection TO Increased and improved IA
c.litios TO enable country people TO travel,
to come in contact with the life and pro-
gress of the city. When the systems of
railroads were first constructed through
Virginia and the Carosinas there were
people i'm considerable numbers who
claimed that the railroads would ruin
tie country: that it would drain it OF all
It's money ana products, and carry people
To cities at the expense OF the prosperity
of country towns. This objection. how
over. is not ienablc and is contrary 10
the spirit Of progress and development
characteristic of American life of this
age. and carried to its logical concur
sion, would turn back the march of civil
cation TO ignorance and harDarism The
country people will visit the cities The
cities necessarily are the great manufac-
turing and shopping centres. and the
country people 10 visit them carry home
in addition To their purchases IDEAS and
knowledge which act as an inspiration 10
their mental Improvement and their ca
pacity to produce larger and more pro-
ntable crops Contact with city life edu-
Gates, and the educated man rightly so
can raise more profitable crops and is a
better farmer and citizen for that very
reason. The country merchant should
not endeayOr 10 impede the dissemina-
ton of knowledge and good. but put him
self in line with the proper progress and
Improvement OF the age. Tho country
merchant overlooks a great possibility
in the success of the plan Of the associa-
ton 10 bring the country towns within
doser communication with Richmond.
The farming districts OF any place that
are in close communication with q large
city must necessarily be al a great pre-
MUM. The ability for farmers 10 reach
a large city on the expenditure of one
dollar is Of incalculablc value TO any
farming district. and the fact that farm
ers within hundred or more miles Of
Richmond can reach this city on so small
an expenditure would undoubtedly at
tract the attention Of northern and west
ern farmers and bring them here because
Of such advantageous circumstances
"With this increase Of population to the
forming districts throughout Virginia
comes the natural result OF country towns
becoming prosperous cities. Who would
share In this prosperity more than town
merchants themselves? Let every coun-
try merchant brush the cobweb from
his brain and assist and cooperate I'm
furtherinc a plan. tho success of which
would bring 10 no one greater prosperity
than himself "