The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-07-17
"wlIAT CAN WE DO 2"

Our friends in Richmond are lookin
lround TO see what can be done forth
development Of the trade OF that cit,
md the Dispatch, in referring to tn
natter, has this to say:
Among the wholesale merchants
anu manufacturers here there Is Il
general disposition to support any
we'll considered movement that has
Tor its object the development of the
trade or Richmond. but on all hands
we hear the inquiry. What can we
do?'
The answer to this Is that we can
90 nearly everything that our COM
Detitors are doing. We cnn organ
lie excursion parties OF merchants
TO come here. We can get low hotel
rates for them. We can entertain
them agrceably. and we can show
them fine stocks Of goods, ready to
be sold upon the most favorable
terms. All these things we surely
can do.
And for the merchants who do
not avail themselves or our excur-
sions. or who wish to repeat their
visits, we can try to get as low rail
road rates for the season as have
been granted some other cities.
everywhere q round trip ticket Is
sold FOR one and one-thir1 Of the
regular fare. Why Should not Rich
mond not have this privilege?
The first thing for us to do IS to
show to the world that we business
men or Richmond are united. de-
termined, and full OF public spirit.
ks 1,rN 4
business. Let us feel that we are
band Of brothers organized to pro-
mote Richmond's welfare, and ready
TO make personal sacrifices for the
general good.
Next, let us call upon the rGil-
road companies to do more for Rich
mond than they have ever done be-
fore. Let us inquire why it is that
so much territory near to Richmond
has been lost to our merchants. If
ri has been lost Through our error
or neglect, let us correct the trou-
Die at once. On the other hand, If
railroad rates are against u.s. let us
ask that they he revised or reduced.
1T Is remarkable fact that
Northern houses sell goods to coun-
try merchants living almost within
sight of the StceplcS Of Richmond
and this. too, when those buyers de-
clare they would rather patroniZe
Richmond than any other city If
they could do rs we'll here rs else
where. Are they laboring under 4
delusion? If not, why Is 1t that they
cannot do as we'll here as else
where? Lot lis inquire. Let us find
the fault and remove 1t. Here at
once is work for lls to do.
What is wanted here is q concert
ed movement, so strong that it will
inspire us with confidence, and com
mand the respect of all with whom
we propose to deal We should ac-
quire strength that will not spend
Itself III q few excursions, but will
last for n long time. II Is only by
combining and by encouraging one
another tht we Will be able to hold
our position among the cities OF the
country.
"a great display Of public spirit
here at this time would be worth
thousands and thousands of dollars
to u.s."
There Is a great deal OF force
what the Dispatch has to say on I'M
sujcct, and very much of 1t might i
followed by cities other than Ricl
mond to their profit. Any city whos
business men organize on the plan SUI
gcsted by our contemporary is boun
to profit by 1t, and why not Richmon
and Norfolk as well as others? 1t
just what New York is doing this Yer
day; what Chicago did last summer
and what Baltimore did still later OF
and it pays them.