Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-01

fact that there was a slight falling OF IN
the number Of criminal prosecutions last
year. which. taking into consideration the
/ rapidy-increosing population, is a most
satisfactory state Of affairs
In conjunction with the decrease IN the
commission Of crime may be noticed the
growth and activity Of the churches.
Richmond has long been known as "the
city Of churches" and Justly has she
earned the souhriquet. Few cities OF her
! si2e can boast so many and such Oeauu-
/ fui places Of Divine worship, or can point
/ TO so large and zcalons a church member
\ ship. There are no less than oighty-ninc
buildings devoted to the service OF Cod.
/ and their aggregate income. derived from
the aims OF the faithful amounts to about
$4,000
The value Of real and personal property
has increased during the year. with
gain to city taxes OF SsS.Oo21; and the
/ Water-W Works and Gas Department have
both been operated at substantial profits
that Of the former amounting to $4,000.
The doath-rate in the city shows
slight increase over the year 1895. but it
will be remembered that in that year the
rate was much lower than IL had been
for several years previously. and last
year only 1872 deaths occurred. giving
a rate Of 1850. which, as matter of f, ct,
is extraordinarily low for a city Of the
size Of Richmond. and argues much for
the sanitary conditions. and for the sa-
lubriousness of the climate. Out Of a
total of l,522 deaths. 1Sl were due 20 casu-
altcs.
The police force has made a splendid
record, and has been very highly COM
piimented by chiefs in other cities on
several occasions for clever work and
general efficiency. The force has had
unusually large crowds to cope with du-
ring the year. and came through the
ordeals with great distinction.
The work of the Fire Department has
been beyond the reach Of criticism. Ser
vices have been rendered i'm all emergen-
cies with great promptitude and unfail-
ing ability, and. numerous improvements
have been made ia the hre-alarm sys-
TEN and in the general equipment.
OUR SCHOOLS DOING WELL.
Richmond. which was at one time the
chosen location Of an American academy
Of arts and literature to be founded on
similar lines to the renowned French
academy. lost her prestige as the centre
Of the beaux arts. but year by year she
is re-establishing her record. and is fast
becoming one Of the leading educationa
centres of these United States. The fame
Of Richmond College, of the Womans
College and Seminary, the medical col
leges. and the public and private schools
has spread abroad, and the roll Of
students names from nearly every State
in the Union Al Of the institutions of
learning are enjoying prosperity and the
attendance at each increases every year.
The public school system has been ex-
tended during the year by the erection
Of another large building in the West
End, and ere another session closes Union
Theological Seminary will be numbered
among the institutions of learning Of
Richmond
The transactions Of the railroads show
that in the first half Of the year business
was unusually good, and the depression
that came with the last six months has
been felt in al parts Of the country.
The roads entering Richmond have held
their own, and the volume Of business
has not been altogether disappointing.
The tobacco trade and dealers in grain
and produce, bore their share of the
burden of hard times during 1896 nobly, !
and a much better showing is made
than has been anticipated. These lines
are reviewed quite fully in our special
articles.
MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES.
The number of manufacturing enter |
prises has increased from $50 in 1895 TO |
9si i'm 1896, but there has been a falling |
OFF in the number Of operatives-1S13S be- |
ing employed in 1895, and only 1856 last |
year. The amount of capital invested has |
increased from S61GS,C0O to $l6,275,75O, but
the aggregate sales were only 81, 800 600, |
or S66335 less than I'm 1885.
L a.
i'm the annual sales of $500, ,462. but is still
far IN advance Of what it was two years
ago. and there has even been slight in
crease in the amount of capital invested
On this branch. The falling of is due un-
doubtedly to the great drop in the prices
remembered as a year Of low prices and
small profits.
POSTAL AND REVENUE RECEIPTS
Year by year the record Of the post
office shows an increase in the volume of
business transacted. and 1896 has been no
exception to the rule The sale of stamps
and pos,al cards alone exceeded that of
1895 by $79599 and there has been
increase in the receipts of
the other departments.
The report Of the Collector Of Internal
Revenue shows an increase in the re-
,eipts of his department of Sl06, ST. 40 over
1875, but a decrease in the expectation of
tobacco of 47OO3O pounds. The increase
has been made up of the sale of beer.
spirit. cigar, and cigarette stamps.
Inc Molh OF deepening the chdnhel or
James river goes on apace, and last year
which was favorable for operations, about
1900 cubic yards were dredged and ex
awaited. and il is safe TO say that we
low have l71-2 feet of water at low
ide all the way between Richmond bar
ind Curle's Neck This fact together
With the establishment Of a traffic bu-
eau for the equalization Of railroad |
ates, has had a material effect upon the
facilities Of the city.