Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-05
"Tbc Pubiic-Spirit Club"

Richmond. Va. January !, loJ''
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In the editorial. ~ New Club Needed
in the issue Of yesterday. you have
"struck the keynote" which, if carried
out. will be more apt to bring about good
results than all our talkings and theo-
rizing The old maxim. Talk is cheap
has been most beautifully eXemplihed
since l have been a resident Of this city
nearly five years. once I'm awhile some
newspaper will bring to our notice the
needs of the city in the way Of new en-
terprlsos. which. after few days are
again laid to rest. to be again taken UP
and allowed to take the usual course.
About two years ago the Chamte- OF
Commerce took UP the question, ana
after a few speeches. very sood spread
and the accomplishment Of nothing, I'VE
all went home
4 few weeks ago Post A. Of the ira
Yelling mems association. took up the
matter. and. | suppose. the question has
oooin been consigned 10 innocuous desuc-
tudo Now has it not been fully demon
strated to us that talk is cheap ana
that fl brings about what it's WORTH
what IS wanted is ACTION, and 1t
should be action with a big y.
seven years ago the public-splrited
men of indianapolis Ind. organized what
is known there as the Commercial Cluo'
the purpose Of which was TO induce manu-
featuring plants TO locate there and
helm advance the interests Of those al
ready i'm existence The growth Of this
club was most phenomenal Within Il
few weeks it's roll Of membership had
reached the 500-mark. and within two
wears the club had its own home. in the
form Of a most substantial building. on
the principal wholesale thOrouehtare OF
the CITY. and this building is now the
Drincipal source of revenue Of the CLUB.
This club was Of such Importance during
the Worlds Fair that the holder OF any
limited ticket on any road running
through indianapolis could stop over II
the ticket WIS deposited with The ciuD
secretary, and being countersigned by me
clubs secretary before leaving. Then all
home manufacturers were given the pre-
ference. as long as price and quality were
eouaI and Il did not take long 10 feel
.tbe effects of the club. Why cannot this
community do likewise? Call a meeting
of citizens of Richmond and Manches-
ter and impress upon all the importance
Of the meeting call upon the business
and professional men. manufacturers, me-
chanics. and laborers-every one can
do mis- share. no matter how humble his
calling may be- Organize the club with
public-spiritod men. and keep out the
| mossbacks and fossils. When the club
is ready for business let one of its main
features be to get the best terms upon
all available sites for manufacturing
purposes, these options TO be binding for
term of years. then look for the in
| hui L. aE
buver insist on having homemade goods.
whatever YOU may want. If the goods
are manufactured at home, have no other.
This is very important TO the mechanics
and laboring people In particular as
well as 10 the trades people II Is
lust so much capital kept in our chan
nels OF trade.
The w.iter hereof can speak from
experience about the building up OF an
Industry i'm Richmond. There are a few
"public-spirited citizens I'm certain line
of trade who will stand by home manu-
facturers. but there are many VINO Will
give their trade 10 some well-establlshed
western house. because they can get
there from ninety days TO four months
time. and the home manufacturer can
give only sixty days, but could save the
dealer the freight.
Now. you have an opportunity. Mr..
Editor. and l. for one. am willing TO help
the movement i'm any way : can possibly
do so. What you are making an effort
m | have in a small but substantial,
way accomplished during the most Sc
we're panic this country has ever gone
| through.
can your meeting; organize; get 10
work; accomplish something; don't let
if all be wind" but
PERSEVERANCE.