The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-16

To the Editor OF The Times.
Sir.-Aour suggestions and efforts TO
awuken aul plt Dcw lie into Richmond
business Ae4i .oI lo.i D. rcltdli.s. i4a' .n5
the effect OF putting people To thinking
ald U.hlul. 1s4tu n,te pr->' c4an,.
these thoughts viii get into shape, and
action must follow. Nothing of public
nature was ever yet accomplished with
out certain amount of agitation aud
do--cd perseverance ou tnr pAtt oI some
one. Now. whilst suggestions are in Oh
der ll may NOT Doe amirs 10 nln- up
matter We have been discussing through
tho columns ot the city press for some
time past ID ls tne uusAt loose tobacco
market of our city. This enterprise has
struegled now INTO Tho sixth year OF IT'S
existence. aud is u c,gltr shape really
than since it was begun. 10 VIII not take
Sl0t.tJu. by auy means. ~ make this
great success. 10 is easily demonstrlble
that through it thousands of people can
find employment or bee added 10 our uopu-
lauOn. and thouauds of dollars 90 our
trade. The tobacco city OF Danylle, with
its 40.W0,.1O pounds of tobacco sales
makes uNtly evidence l. aut were nert-
ed. Ia my humble Judgment. no city ever
had a finer opportunity 90 reclaim what
d. cMcc had. aud WAS most taluabie--a
great and extensive farmers trlde-than
Richmond has right now.
We have thoroughly-oQupped or
gained and up-to-date corps of buyers.
All the means of its accomplishment are
so near at hand.
There is really now but one thing need
ou Too Keep this enterprise ODD o. healthy
and growing condition. aud that is that
tho farmers around our city On their
Cd
finer in the world for bright tobacco
should Dee Induced TO raise this crop.
THE point here is just TINS that almost
Invariably wherever the farmer has tried
this crop Dee has been Instructed and
led TO do $50 through scme business ore
sanitation. am sorry tO say our
tobacco trade have not appreciated TIis
fact Late last Spring % raised about 80,
and, with some ai0 from outside. a little
work was done, and fow seed were
scattered in the counties around the city.
FROM This d. has been demonstrated bee
yond all doubt hy the crops already mar
heitd mat our lands are the equal OF any.
lniofuuateiy. Tor the farmer and for
our city, nothing more has been or
ls being done ON this line. only the tne-
Dry established that Richmond the
greatest eXpop.ug and manufacturing
city OF the East. can make lts own suu-
plies OF bright tobacco raised right at
IT'S own doors and thus a. reflex action
OF prosperity between town and country
can De brought about From what other
source could the same hc accomplished
ask amy Richmond drummer where he
finds the most lifo and prosperity. he
VIII tell you boz the sections and towns
OF Eastern North and South Carolina.
ID. i. l..f
II Is true that tobacco culture in West
Virginia and Western North Carolina is
passing away and, from The most ZEE
liable sources. farmers and warehouse
men, We gather the fact that. owing %
better prices for cotton. the tobacco crop
viii Doe greatly decreased in the Carol.nas
the coming year. IL U.s. true that railroads
and quick communication make Dc pO-si-
nle 90 create markets amy reasonable disc
tlnce from the fields where there is
money and men with pluck and energy
10 DO 30. There is but little doubt that
eventually our quick. sandy lands Will
be occupied by bright tobacco. but there
is no good reason why Richmond should
not press all OF her advantages along this
line and especially at this time.
This communication is written in uo
s.irit OF contention or 20 autasouize amy
new enterprise offered by amy One else
for the good of our city. but 10 throw ont
the idea along with this of fostering one
that is already here. 10 Will bear the iu-
yesti-atiOn of the gentlemen who may
take your suggestions under adyiscmeut.
and viii stand the test " any business
principle they may apply 10 st. I believe
amy money expended on this line will
pay 20 greater per cent. than that of any
other possible enterprise. 10 will require
at most but trhIng sum ana VIII give
Increasing returns.
Tobacco has ever been Richmond
greatest interest and % might Doe well
for many OF her business men Interested
u her welfare 20 learn more about &c.
Some eighteen months or two years ago
Mr.. James y. Boyd farsecing and alive
90 the interests OF the Grade and the city.
and thoroughly understanding the exist
lne conditions. went before the Chamber
OF Commerce and made an earnest appeal
for 5000 10 Doe used I'm fostering aud ad-
vanc4ng the tobacco interests of the citv.
Had this appeal been needed 10 the
least extent. probably we would an Doe
prouder ~ our market than the rtDort
OF the year just closed would Indicate
fTDyfgTO