Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-15
RAISE SUGAR BETS.
THIS INDUSTRY TO ENGAGE ATTEN-
rroy OF NEARBY FARMERS.
THE LONG-DISTANCE LINE OPENED.
rormnI beginning of the Service In
Mnnch ester-Mayor Maurice Taiks
10 Secretary Gagc-Other Items
from the south Side.
Observation-Disclosures

A strong effort is to be made TO intro
| duce the sugar-beet industry among me
farmers OF Chesterfield. Prince George
and Charles City counties. The gentle
man with when the credit lies Tor 'his
idea, which may prove most valuable
one. Ia Mr.. Rowland. editor Of The Ches-
terfied Chronicle. Mr.. Rowland VIII
leave Manchester Monday morning, and
besides many letters which have been
written TO all the prominent farmers OF
this section. will visit Thorn In person and
explain the advantages which lie In this
industry. The Department OF Agriculture
at Washington has given out the opinion.
formed after a chemical analysis Of the
soil OF these counties, that ii is admirably
adapted TO this product. Mr.. Rowland
has advised himself Of the general Gull
ture of the beet, the cost OF raising, and
OF converting 1t into sugar, and this
IN short, is his plan: First OF all, he
wants to hear Of somebody with capital.
and enterprise, who is willing to operate
plant for converting the beet into sugar,
and with that demand for the beet II
will be an easy matter 10 get the farmers
TO produce the beet. The present pur-
pose is to hold a mass-meeting OF the
farmers OF these counties at Chester,
this county, on Wednesday or Thursday,
as may be determined, and there the
matter will be talked over Plans will
be devised, 1t is believed. by this body of
influential and intelligent gentlemen, for
the establishment OF refinery in one of
these counties. This means new work
and new life-blood in the veins of the
farming industry in this section of the
State.
LONG-DISTANCE PHONE.
The Manchester office Of the American
Telephone and Telegraph Company was
formally opened yesterday afternoon in
the presence of large number OF invited
guests. The first message passed over
the line at 4:l0 o'clock between Mayor
Maurice, Of Manchester and Secretary-of-
the-Treasury Gage of Washington. The
handsome office OF the company was
crowded with friends of the enterprise,
and though the demands for opportunities
TO converse with friends in distant cities
were many, and amidst great confusion,
the gentlemen in charge were very ac-
commodating and always courteous. and
through their kindness numbers talked
with friends in Boston, New York, Phila-
delphia, Baltimore, Washington. Chicago,
and st. Louis. Provision had been made
so that while one was talking about forty
could hear the conversation. No difhcul-
" was experienced by persons accus-
toned to using a telephone in understand
ing and being understood. In fact, the
service and equipment of the office seem
as well-nigh perfect as can be desired.
The only trouble experienced at all was
when an attempt was made by one gem
tleman to talk to Mr.. Croker. of Tam
many Connection was readily maze
with Tammany Hall. and the question
went over the line: us Mr.. Croker there?"
mo" was the reply, and when the gen
tleman at this end asked who would be
elected Mayor of Greater New York, the
man at the other said: Cant hear you.
The office will be opened for business
this morning, connection being complete
with the important cities of Virginia ana
all the larger cities of the North and
West.
Messrs. Kenneth McRae and Robert j.
Perdue, Jr., two well-known young gen.
tlemen OF this city, will assume charge
Of the office. On the catalogue Of the
company are the following statements:
Mail is quick, telegraph is quicker, but
the telephone is instantaneous" and that
the latter is so was proven true yester-
b. b. WEISIGER, POSTMASTER.
Mr.. b. b. Weisiger will assume the re-
sponsibilltes of the post-oifice of Man
chester tonight at the usual hour OF
closing. Mr.. Wesiger has received his
commission from the Post-Office Depart
ment at Washington, and yesterday at
l o'clock gave Mr. ID. l.. Toney, the pres
ent postmaster, notice Of it. He also in
formed the assistant postmaster, Mr..
John b. Goode, and the clerks, Messrs.
Robert C. White and w. +. Gillian, that
their services would no longer be desired
after tonight. The commission OF Mr..
Toney does not expire until May the 9Th
1898. as he was appointed by President
Cleveland on May 9, 1894. for four years,
but, of course, when Mr.. Weisiger pre-
sents his commission and an order for
the post -office, Mr.. Toney Will take
receipt for the office and turn II over 10
Mr.. Weisiger 1t is understood, however,
that he will enter a claim for his salary
until the natural expiration OF his term
as no complaint has been made against
him, the only charge being that he was
a Democrat. During the thlrty-hine
months of Mr. Toney's incumbency the
gross receipts of the office have amounted
TO $34, sO92l showing great increase over
those of the previous four years.
The office reached second grade as well
as the free-delivery grade in thirteen
months after Mr.. Toney took charge.
The salary of the postmaster then was
81 900. and only 800 allowed for clerk
hire In thirteen months the salary
was raised to 81. 200. and $500 allowed for
clerk hire, and all stationery, etc, fur
nished by the department.
Mr.. Toney has made a courteous and
efficient postmaster, and goes out In the
possession of the entire confidence OF
the people.
Few men are better known In Msn-
chester than the new postmaster. He is
n staunch Republican, and to him has
fallen the only plum on the Republican
tree in these parts to shake down.
Mr.. John w. Fisher, it is understood
will be assistant postmaster. The new
clerks have not yet been announced by
Mr.. Welsiger, but doubtless will be to-
day.
A DOUBLE WEDDING.
A quiet double wedding took place We'd
nesday afternoon at the residence or
Rev. Thomas w. Reynolds, No. 4Oi west
Fourteenth street. The contracting cou-
pies were Mr.. William T. Garrett to Miss
Teresa V. Wright and Mr. Calvin Faudry
to Miss Eta II. Wright.
Rev. ]. w. Reynolds, OF Goochland
county, performed both ceremonies Mr..
REYNOLDS Is the pastor and friend Of
these happy couples and they expressed
a wish TO be married by him. and want
cd the ceremony performed in this city.
He invited them to come TO his fathers
home. where the rite was performed.
The brides are sisters, and the daughters
= n. CHARLES and Mrs Bessie II