Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-12-31
ALEXANDRIA IN 1896.

ClOS6 lI5 duuudi fclumo Will EosuMo
of the business for the year and with
retrospect of events of interest which
have occurred during that time.
1t is with regret that it must be
stated that in several respects the year
Just closed was one of the dullest this
city ever obtained, but much con-
ISOLATION may be experienced from the
knowledge that Alexandria has breast
ed the wave of depression which
swept over the entire country as he.
roically as any city in the land, and
sustained no reverses which cannot be
retrieved. If the merchants have not
made as much money as formerly, they
have managed to get along fairly we'll
and the number of failures has been
few.
In addition to the dull times, the city
suffered this year from both tempest
and fire, and saddest of all, the former
brought death to two households, the
sorrow of which time alone can heal.
But it Will he surprise to many
when it is tt i fer careful COM
pilation of Lie i.l.rmation obtained by
the GAzErrE's representatives in
interviews with the principal mer-
chants, that instead of a fall
ing off in the general business
of the city during the year rs had been
feared, there was an actual increase in
trade-that is, the volume of business
done this year was larger than that of
last year, both the amount of goods
brought to this city and shipped from
here showing an increase. 1t is
true that the profits are smaller now
and merchants have to work harder
and exert more energy to make dol
lar than they formerly did, but their
business is increasing and in this way
matters are equalized..
The principal caurse of the hard
times in this city has been the lack of
employment of the mechanics and labor
ing men. Comparatively few buildings
have been erected, and the manufac-
tories have been run with reduced
forces, thus keeping many men idle.
This state OF affairs it appears has been
general throughout the country, and
here, as elsewhere, numbers of men
who heretofore had steady employment
have realized what enforced idleness
means. With the opening of the New
Year, however, it is hoped that better
times may come and that all who want
work may find it.
AS stated above the general business
of the city for the year shows an in.
crease. Where some branches show a
falling of others have gone ahead and
the difference is on the right side of the
ledger. This is the case especially in
reference to the wholesale business in
groceries, provisions, drugs, lumber,
fertilizers, glass, china and earthen-
ware, coal, salt, hardware, cigars, con-
fectionery, crackers and cakes, beer,
ice, etc. These items really form
the bulk of the city's wholesale trade
and of themselves are sufficient to
make Alexandria commercial centre.
For all the articles named Alexandria
has won the reputation of being the
best market in this section and under.
sells cities of much greater pretentions.
In all these lines the business is being
extended and the Alexandria mer-
chants seldom lose ground when they
have once gained foothold. Such
commodities as coal, fertilizer, salt,
plaster, etc., are shipped as far south as
Georgia and in no uncomfortable
quantities, and there is every indication
tnat this line of business will increase
The handling of this business too gives
employment toa number Of men and
this also aids the city.
The recent resumption of control OF
the Strasburg and Harrisonburg road
by the Southern Company is expected
to bring back 10 Alexanpria much OF
the rich Valley trade which was lost in
1878 when the B. & 0. road got posses
sion of that line. The Alexandria mer-
chants are making strenuous efforts in
this direction and there is every reason
to believe that their efforts will be
crowned with success. This trade will
he worth much to Alexandria for the
Valley people can send their products
to an excellent market and buy goods
here as cheaply as they can be pur-
chased anywhere.
The railroad interest and business OF
Alexandria continue to increase year by
year. But few cities have better rail
road facilities, for here centre some OF
the largest railroads in the country
the Southern with its several branches,
the Pennsylvania, the Chesapeake and
Ohio, and the Baltimore and Ohio. All
these roads do large business in AL
exandria, which shows the Importance
in which the city is held in railroad cir
Giles. The city also does large bust
ness by steamers with Boston, New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Nor.
folk and along the Potomac river.
The building of the electric railway
to Washington was finished during the
year, thus accomplishing the object of
the owners of that road. With the
opening of this road the running of 10.
cal steam trains between this city and
Washington was practically discontinue
ed, but the electric road is running more
trains between the TWO cities than were
ever run before and the steam trains
are hardly missed. With the ferry boats
and the electric trains there is now half
hourly, and even oftener, connection
between Alexandria and Washington
and with such convenient schedules it
is believed that many people from the
latter city will be induced to make
their homes here, where rents, &C., are
so much cheaper. This close connec-
ton is also a great convenience to the
MANY Alexandrians who have business
or employment in Washington.
The business of the banks is one of