The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-04
RICHMOND, ARISE!
Business Men Urged to Follow Louis
vilfe's Example.

Editor OF The Times:
sir.-The following clipping. which re-
fers 10 Louisville, KY, naturally sets
Richmonder 90 thinking about Richmond
'grhe General Council tonight tJuly
2qth) passed and the Mayor signed an
ordinance exemptiug new manuiac,oflf7
from city taxes for period of hve years.
Tho main object of the measure is 10 o.
tract c1pital and factories from points
where taxes are at present lrVlea up""
Industries and thus supply fields for the
,,,orkineman and advance the city's posi-
lion as "a great commercial and mauu-
featuring centre The business men OF
th, CITY have been taking deep m
tprest I'm the fate OF the ordinance, ana
a delegation of commercial clubmen,
headed by President T.. Ii. Bacon, were
present tonight to watch MS passage
hut not only So The writer happens
To be at the Battery Park Hotel N'he-
willie. y. c., where just now the insurance
mon connected with the southeastern
Tariff Association are holding am amman
meeting. 10 is needless 20 say that these
men are in the clOest touch with the
commercial business OF the South, ana
from any number of them I have had TO
listen 10 expressions comparing hlch-
mond's enterprise with that OF some
other cities, which, i have TO confess
are I'm line with my own thoughts ana
which rather score against as
So 1 am prompted 20 believe that the
time has come when we should see our
selves as others see us and fear not 10
speak out those things. the telhng OF
which 20 the world might seem lot ui'0
10 initiate against as ANA ye' 3D. ''"7
niZed will with the INTEL "a "iiu
power of our people lead inf. - snnels
nd 81
is not necessary TO state the reasons hds
IN h. a fact beyond an question tnHl
Richmond must bee made above ana De-
vond all a manufacturing city III any
one questions this let him talk win our
iobbing trade and hear tfem as 10 pre-
sent competition, not 10 anticipate lna'
which Is evidently ahead OF them- lhe
burden Of our talk and the extent OF olr
energies should be given 90 me eaiahilsn-
ment OF manufacturing plants lh OUT
midst from now on. We become much
acitated now and then when one OF the
railroad conclude 10 move an ONCE away.
We have a Traffic Bureau I'm connec-
ton with the Chamber of Commerce and
perhaps IL may be well enough, but tne
way 10 handle railroads IS 10 create the
business they are looking for and ul on
which they are dependent.
Consider Louisville location, her popu-
lation and her business. and In this con-
nection especially her manufacturing bus
iness to-day. and it is Louisville that has
seen fit 10 take the step set forth Ia the
clipping above.
/ am not informed as to the Qualifca-
tions II any there are. I'm connection with
this proposition she makes 10 the world.
But, people Of Richmond. what are you
waiting for2 Has not the time come
fInfrH
may be. should be brushed aside II there
are men among us whose selhsnness or
narrow-mindedness would oppose action
in the direction OF Offering exceptional
inducements 70 new manufacturing plants
the city will be many times better on
without them than with them. II invit-
ing manufacturing property is being held
at unreasonable prices and so keeping
away such plants. appraise and tax such
property in full keeping with the prices
asked for 1t by the owners
DO everything and anything that will
discourage one and encourage the other
class.
Now and then In a half hearted way. a
voice is heard saying. What we want IS
manufactures, but what we need IS a
mighty rising up Of the whole people an
where or anywhere: an expression that
will silence the least opposition 70 any
legislation within the bounds of justice
and prudence looking 10 establishment OF
new manufacturing plants. We want q
great and continuous noise made about II.
II II is a political campaign or a monu-
ment unwilling We can be aroused, and
here Is a matter OF even greater interest
TO our city. Let US arise TO the necessity
and the occasion.
Coupled with IL. let US set 10 thinking
as 10 what can land what IS there that
cannoD be made in Richmond. Let the
j0bOer and the merchant run his eye over
his stock and tell Il out. There Is capital
to-day in Richmond ready TO take hold
when the thing appeals to reason and me
test OF experience has been I'D with
those who propose 10 control aud super
intend the plants
| beg the papers OF or city, one ana
all. to take the matter In hand. Let every
Issue from now on publish something