Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-27
FOR RICHMOND TO THINK ABOUT.

FOR RICHMOND TO THINK ABOUT.
In the interval between Christmas
Day and New-Years-Day it would
be well II we Richmonders gave some
thing more than passing thought TO
our city's immediate future.
We do not speak with reference only
10 the adoption Of better methods in
our municipal affairs. but also with refe-
renee 70 combined efforts to develop our
general business.
SO far as retrenchment and reform IN
city affairs are concerned. We are salts
fed that those matters are now well
under way. All that has so far taken
pla &c has been leading Up TO results.
which. IN the end viii cause our NUM-
cipal finances 20 be reduced to bust
ness methods The demand Of our peo-
pie Is that the city shall live within its
income. and this demand, we doubt not,
will be respected. Doubtless there Will
be arguments and contentions-quarrels
may be--before the end Is attained but
the end viii be attained. There will be
retrenchment and reform. and they Will
be effected by the Democratic party, We
believe.
So let Us not be undulralarmed or dis
couraged in that direction. In the end
the good sense Of cur authorities viii
respond 10 the expectations Of the tax
payers. We ought not only TO live with
in our income. but ought TO begin 10
reduce the principal Of our bonded debt.
So. believing that those questions are
in proper train for satisfactory solution,
we pass on TO look at the business out
look
Richmond has stood the shock and
calm Of hard times as well as, if not
better. than the average city Of this coun-
try. and this ought to console us some
what. But We may as we'll know now as
later on that nearly every other city is
gathering up its strength for the business
competition OF the coming year. and VIC
shall not be 'ln IT," unless we, too. COM
bine closely and organize wisely TO push
our city forward.
We must confess that on this line we
have not hitherto done as much as we
solve that We ought 70 show more pub
lie spirit. and should do more 10 pro-
mote our own industries. but too often
We fan far short Of what might have
been expected and accomplished. In the
olden time we had such public spirited
men as Joseph r. Anderson, T. w. Me-
Canoe, David /. Burr. and others TO lead
US. and it was always said that when
these got their heads together, what
ever they undertook would succeed.
Have we not among US now the equals
OF the patriotic and public spirited gen.
tleuen that we have named? We hope
SO: indeed, eve know so"-though as yet
their genius for this work is not we'll
developed. But let them get together
and try 70 see If something cannot be
devised 10 improve our business next
year
Other cities by organization and energy
advance themselves, and whF cannot We?
We must interest the railrond companies
in Richmond and Manchester. This is
very inpOrtant-we must interest the
banks and capitalists, and We must in
terest the general public, So that II will
give more encouragement % our home
Industries. Isn't all this Worth the ef-
fort? We should thinK so. Nor Will 1t
90 to wait for good tines" Good
times win be slow In coming our way,
unless We do something to hurry them
on. We should DO as the captain Of the
stranded ship does-haye everything
aboard ship ready TO take advantage Of
the incoming tide. Thus. he is soon IN
der full sail and Off for his port. while
the laggards are wondering at his good
luck"
One thing for Richmond % aim 10 do
IS TO increase the number q her manu-
factories. and thus give employment 70
more workmen. who will M up our va
cant houses and pour their money
into tho hands Of our retail merchants.
And then. there is our leaf-tobacco
trade. Quite probably pubrc spirit and
concerted effort could deye-op this and
make II more largely tributary than Il
now is TO tho prosperity VI Richmond
Increase our jobbing trade too. though
We guess that the statistics for the year
1886 Will not show such a depression in
the jobbing trade here as ge have had
In other lines OF trade.
We may be sure that We cannot ex