Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-05

We hope TO see the year 1898 marked
In Richmond by the Inauguration OF a
number OF new industries We also hope
to see the year develop steadfast de-
termination among our people to patron
lie home enterprises already founded,
whether these are In the nature OF manu-
featuring or mercantile establishments.
Indeed, the contamination Of the first
hope we have expressed depends largely
upon the realization OF the second.
The greatest encouragement that can
be given capital to embark In any city
in new business ventures of whatever
character is civic pride and patriotism,
that take the practical and wise direction
of supporting the existing business OF
that city.
Our merchants, especially, complain,
and complain justly, that annually thou
sands OF dollars are sent out OF Rich
niond by private individuals for the pur-
chase of articles that could be bought
here just as cheaply as In any other city
In the country. In fact, 1t Is not In
frequently the case that for exactly the
quality-the Richmond man purchasing
North pays more than a Richmond mer-
chant would charge him.
The evil Of this policy Is far reaching.
IT affects the community at large. To begin
with. this purchasing away from home
cuts down the aggregate profits OF the
Richmond merchant who is already es.ab-
lished in business, and who contributes
TO municipal support by the payment Of
taxes and license. distributes money In
various channels through the wages he
pays employees, and when he does not
own his store. pays the interest on the
real estate investment represented In the
store he rents. Again. the policy tends
to prevent the expansion of business In
community. 1t initiates against more
widespread legitimate competition-com-
petition which, so long as the money In
volved stays at home. is the life of trade.
AS a consequence. 1t is responsible for
many stores being vacant, for fewer be-
ing built. and for the idleness OF num-
bers of persons. In its injurious opera
tions il takes in all classes. To those
who make habit of purchasing away
from home, and are captivated with the
idea that what they use and wear and
furnish their houses with must come
from a big city," we would say with
old Horace:
cease TO admire the smoke, wealth,
and noise Of Rome
If they will heed this injunction, we
shall soon have Rome OF our own, to
the profit of the whole community.
Another evil complained of by our mer-
chants is the business bird of passage
the enterprise that is here to-day and
there Tomorrow. The evil, they contend,
is in many respects analogous TO that or
purchasing away from home. In the lat
ter case the purchasers send money out
of the city i'm instruments In the case
Of the temporary enterprise, the money
of the purchasers is taken away In bulk.
Another grievance urged in connection
with this particular matter is that the
temporary and the permanent business
are not on the same footing in respect or
license and all-'round taxes, the discrimi-
nation being. in the nature of things and
by the working of our revenue laws
heavily against the established business.
Certainly this contention seems we'll
grounded. Therefore, 1t might not be
unwjse for our businessmen to take hold
of the subject, to the end or seeing II
the evil cannot be cured by legislation-