Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01

for manufacturing as anywhere IN TINS
country. and I believe the moneyed men
OF Richmond are Weakening along this
line. TO advance business rapidly. BUSH
ness-men must come together and cx-
change their views along the different
lines OF business Our banks have stood
the test through all the crisis or the
times. and looking at things from every
standpoint, business will greatly improve
with proper management. How much
time has been taken Up in the last
twelve months I'm assent ing to devise
plans TO make progress In TINS CITY
May every merchant and men or every
branch of business put on the whole
armor and win the victory for the year
OF 1885,
Mr.. A. Greentree, clothier; am siau
10 say that my business was far better
in 1897 than IA 1896. There seems to be
more money with the workingmen' III
1888 will be as good as 1897 shall be very
glad.
Mr. r. I. Winston, OF the Nowian
Company. jewellers: Our business ioI
the wear has been very satisiactory' anu
while no class OF merchants have proba-
bly suffered more from the genera oe-
preston in business for the past TWO W
three years than the retail )eweiler' yc'
the activity shown in this line lor tne
past three months is very encouraens'
Our fan and holiday business far sur
masses orr expectations. and we find the
demand for finer and more expensive
goods returning to such an extent tnat
we shall. with the coming year, increase
our facilities, with the assurance OF
larger and more extensive business An
other evidence for encouragement Is tnH'
there seems to be better disposition vi
the mart OF our people to encourage hon'S
enterprise. and If our merchants can only
succeed in satisfying the buyers III our
midst who are disposed TO deal III inc
larger cities that they can DO equaliy aS
well in our home market, not the me-
chant only, but our entire coihihuui'S
will be greatly benefited.
Mr.. Charles j. Shuman, shoes: Inc az
gregate OF business for 1897 compares IA
vorablv with 1896. with no general inn
nrovement. The closing months, Novem-
her and December while showing decided
gains do not effect the aggregate OH
account of the dull months Of September
and October. If the business for 1873 can
be estimated by the closing months OF
1907 then we can look forward TO great
IMPROVEMENT in the retail shoe business;
otherwise, we can only await results
C. T. Cross Shoe Company: We teei
very much encouraged with the trace
this fall. and look forward to goou
snrinp business. The public are begin
IN 70 realize that there is no practical
economy in cheap, trashy goods and
therefore. the cheap craze is on the
wane. We have persistently adhered 10
time tried. reliable lines, and our IN
creasing sales are evidence Of their true
worth.
Messrs. w. S. Hugg & Co., china; our
| business so far in our BRIEF career naS
! been remarkably encouraging, and con-
| eiderinp the way trade has opened up
with us we cannot help but feel that our
expectations have been fully reaiiZeu, ai.u
| that trade is getting back TO prosperous
state. The reports from all over inc couli-
| try are for better times. ana that liauo
has been better this season than TOT some
| time mast. The many manufacturers VI
goods in our line have been pushed 10
| their utmost TO supply their demanos' III
| fact some were so bad off that early III
the season they were refusing aouitlol ,.
| orders This fact alone speaks LOT ieaoii'
| we look forward TO the trade in 1913 10
continue on the line of Improvement ana
that next year will be more SATISFACTORY
than for many years past
Afr T. G.. Corley, Of the Richmond Music
| c.omnany: The piano trade with us during
| the past year has indeed been very sl Us
| factory. Since September lst trade hoS
hoen GOOD. I'm fact. better than it has TOT
| several years past. one very hoticeaple
| feature I'm our line is a better demand lor
high-grade instruments. This IS quite "
good Indication that times are linpIoFlns'
Collections on old accounts could De Do',
ter: still. we find collections SOM 49,,
easier than in 1896. While we do not ant ant
cinata n boom for 1898. we firmly beneVe
that the worst is over, and look for"aru
TO a steady revival Of business.
Mr. Charles Branned, Of the chase
Rrothers Pieno Company Business WIN
orr company in this territory Tor .ne
mast year has been somewhat pecuIldl :,
| we Ave had periods of unusual soou
,',oir~,s y,hiIe some months have shown
a decrease. as compared with the CORE
! enording months in the former year. "
| attribute some increase I'm trade 10 au-
vanced prices of farm PRODUCTIONS anu
| ho,,a observed indications of general I'M
| rrovement Irpou the whole, our business
! sor rho wear past has been very salts
.foctory. and as large as anticipated We
believe from the present lluu 10, - a.,
well as political situation. that business
NAV be conducted during the coming year
with success, but recognize the linpoI
lance Of old rules in strict personal ae.S.-
ION udicious advertising, and economy
mich we believe will be found necessary
- show profitable results.
..
Mr.. c.. NJ. Smithdeal, of the Smithdea
business College: 1 am glad to be aDit
10 write that while we, In company WIT
nearly all other forms OF business nave
somewhat felt the pressure or I'd" imam
ciaI stringency Of the country, we nave
oIwavs been on the upward grade II
numbers and influence and general pro
.,rassiveness. Our splendid new build
| inc now in course OF construction at th'
northeast corner Of Ninth and BroaC
streets ia a practical demonstration o.
mis- fact The school was moved into III
present quarters in order to get more
room. and now has again outgrown III
home. One particularly gratifying fea
tura has been the constantly growing
confidence that businessmen seem to re
nose in us Our prospects for $50 arr
very good. indeed, and we nope tnat
its close we shall have even sun create
cause for gratitude ia the bountiful give
of all prosperity.
Messrs. Smyth Brothers * Kline horse
and mules: Our business this ran IS JUS
about on a par with the ran TRACE o
1896. with a possible slight adVan'ase
favor Of 1897. prices about the sam
J for horses and mules, but demand NOR
regular" 49,,
L. oh, ~ n ~ - thrown