Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-12-31
ALEXANDRIA IN 1897.
A RESUME OF TIE YEAR's BUSINESS.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Bling happy bells across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Bing out the false, ring in the true.
Ring out the grief that saps the mild,
For those that here we SEQ no more.
Another year has rolled by; in few
hours the bells will be tolling its re-
QUEEN, and another chapter added to
the city's history. To some it brought
happiness, to few riches, while to
others it brought disappointment, sor.
row and death. But let US look for
ward to the new year with the hope
that it may deal kindlier with us all;
soothe, as time alone can, the sorrows
of the old year and bring with it hap
piness and prosperity to the good pee
Pile of old Alexandria.
AS has been the custom for long
time past the Gazette on the last day
of the old year gives resume of the
business of the city for the twelve
months in order that its readers may
see what changes are going on in our
midst and what advancements have
been made.
Knowing the general depression in
business, and the diversity of opinion
on the subject, the Gazette's reporters
in their annual calls on the msrchants
to ascertain the condition of trade in
order to compare the business of the
city this, with the that of last year,
were much gratifed on being informed
that in many instances the volume OF
business exceeded that of 1896, though
profits, as rule. were smaller, and
more work Is now required to make q
dollar than ever before. A few of the
merchants were even of the opinion
that the amount of business in their re-
spective lines showed no increase over
last year. 1t was feared when this in
formation was being obtained that
more of the merchants than did would
make this latter statement, but it can
be said that in summing up the in
creases and decreases in trade the total
of the former is considerably the larger
There is an almost universal complaint
of the scarcity Of money and an iu-
grease in the circulating medium it is
admitted by nearly ell would help
trade wonderfully.
In business sense the year 1897 is
considered to have been one of the
dullest periods through which this
country has ever passed. "Hard
times" have been almost universal, but
that the depression has not been felt
here more than elsewhere is evident,
and Alexandraus can felicitate them
| selves that in many branches of trade
| the city has not only held its own but
made gains. An excellent sign ia that
there has not been a failure of note 10
the city during the year, and the fnan
cial standing and integrity of the city
merchants is so we'll established that
"drummers" from all over the country
are willing to sell them goods almost
on their own terms.
The farmers in the surrounding coun-
try were rather more fortunate this
than last year, in that they made fair
wheat crops and got the highest prices
they have obtained for some years.
This enabled some of them to pay of
part OF their debts, improve their
property and even lay aside little
money.
Many of the merchants of Alexandra
are as progressive and enterprising as
those to be found in any city in the
land They have 6ne establishments,
keep large and varied stocks of goods,
sell on small margins, are courteous
and accommodating and do everything
In their power to attract trade to the
city. Ofcourse, these are the success
full men. There are others too slow
even to advertise their business and
who think that money spent in adver.
Using is virtual gift to newspaper
and totally unnecessary expense to a
merchant. This class is the first to
rush to newspaper Office to have the
city's trade championed when anything
occurs that affects their individual
business.
From business standpoint the city
sustained serious injury from the effects
of the so-called "moral crusades"
early in the year. Alexandria was
made by-word and a reproach by both
enemies and over-zealous friends ~
and unfriendly newspapers brought in
to uuenviable notoriety and advertised
the city as a hotbed of iniquity and
daily published sensational and ex-
aggerated statements calculated to pre-
vent people from coming here and to
divert business to other cities. Whether
the city has improved morally as the
result of these crnsades is an open
question.
This year has been much like last in
that there has beena lack Unemployment
of the mechanics and laboring men, not
only in this city but throughout the
country. Comparatively few buildings
have been erected, and the manufac-
tories continue to be run with reduced
forces. thus keeping many men idle.
But few of the mechanics or laborers
have been able to lay aside any money
during the past few years and when
the working men, who are in the ma
jority in every city, have no money the
whole community feels the effect. The
great need of manufactures, even if
started on small scale, which would
give employment to the people is &C.
riously felt here. The advantages Of
Alexandria as manufacturing city are
unexcelled, but her own people must
take the lead in establishing them and
stop waiting for strangers to do so or
"for something to turn up" A little
more enterprise in this direction would
accomplish much good.
The general appearance of the city
has improved. Many OF the merchants
Al u