Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-01
SATURDAY, ........JANUARY1 l, 1898.
THE NEW YEAR.

IN lnlS issue OF the DlSpdtCn Is q state
ment OF the account Of Richmond Will
the year 1897. There can hardly be any
complaint that it is not full enough or
not clear enough Every department of
our municipal government and every
branch of trade is here subjected to a
careful analysis, and the general result is
favorable to our city. Our firm belief
indeed, is that we have succeeded much
better than the average American town,
and we have well-grounded hopes that
the future has much of prosperity in
store for us. we have not only done
n fairly good business, butt what is also
encouraging, there is a determination
upon the part Of our people to hustle"
this year as they have never hustled
before.
Yes; foremost among the important
events of the past year we must chronicle
the resolution made by US that during
1898 we Richmonders viii show degree
Of energy and enterprise that will as
tJnsh our friends and confound our enc
mies-if we have any. The Chamber Of
Commerce has undertaken TO make a
development An organization is also be-
Ing formed TO realize our dream Of manu-
featuring greatness. 10 be achieved
through the utilization of ous water
power.
Both Of these momentOus enterprises
Will be set on foot this year. and will
be aids. one TO the other. Unless we
vastly mistake ,,ubIia uertfp,ont i,1r. ~
resolution that has been taken that
Richmond must go forward more rapidly
than she has been going of late will be
lived up to. Public enthusiasm upon this
subject has beea excited to pitch which
will make it comparatively easy to carry
out the magnificent plans in view
With the falls Of the James river "elec-
trified' upon the Niagara plan and the
promised public energy devoted to bring
ing new manufactures to this city, we
cannot but believe Richmond Will enter
upon an era Of unparalleled prosperity.
And right here we must say that while we
have chung to the belief that it is not
constitutional 10 exempt any sort of
manufactures from taxation, that very
thing is being done in several other
cities OF the State. and with results so
beneficial to them that we would be
stupid. indeed. if we did not reconsider
our position upon that question.
While the Dispatch never took any
stock in the glowing promises Of pros
perity held out to us in certain poiti- !
cal contingency, we have always had
faith in the recuperative power of the |
country, and always counted upon favor
able changes in the prices Of our pro-
duets. That there was considerable in
provement last year cannot be denied. |
Wherever grain or tobacco was grown |
in great quantities the change was espe-
cially felt, and many other articles of
Agricultural produce have likewise
profited by the rises in the markets. To
our great grief. however. cotton was not
one OF them. So far from it. cotton now
is extremely Iowa The cheapness OF
cotton. and the prevalence of yellow
fever I'm many sections of the South
made an unfavorable impression upon
Richmond's trade. But the outlook for
this year is for a vastly smaller acreage
OF cotton and such sanitary precautions
have been taken as will. almost surely,
prevent return Of the fever SO we
may look for better times for the South.
We are Of the South. wool and web, and
when 1t prospers Richmond prospers.
when IL suffers Richmond suffers.
The year 1877 is also TO be remembered
here on account OF the efforts that we're
made 10 adjust our oity's expenditures
10 is income. Suffice il 10 say, that all
that was hoped FOR by the friends OF the
movement has not yet been accomplished
but good progress has been made. Our
basness men are now taking un-
wontcd interest Ia the politics OF the
city. and excellent results may be ex-
pecteG therofrom. Richmond can never
want for success in her business or pub
lie affairs. II her men OF large means
VIA but join the rest OF the voters
81 the active duties and responsibilities
&f citizenship. In this respect marked
)hange fer the better is observable here
Place that conspicuously among our
gains ia 1897.
Richmond continues 10 hold her high
position IN attractiyeness as place Of
residence, being immensely aided in this +,
By the extensive network OF electric
street railways which covers our city,
and their suburbs. Many
ayely public roads also entice tho driver Z