Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-01
observation-disclosures l, 1899.
nICnMoNn AND TIE VIEW YEAR.


Compared with 1SsS the year 1899 opens
more favorablv for Richmond and Man
chester. oWyprospects are improving.
The business tide is turning our way in
steadsof keeping at a stand.
Lfese facts are established by the sta
..fstics we publish this morning, and are
also evidenced by the better feeling that
prevails in trade circles here. Manlfac-
turers. merchants. builders. and working
men, as rule, are more CHEEKY than
they have been for years Numerous in
Quiries are being made. too. about real
estate that not long ago was a drug upon
the market In brief the general belief
here IS that "there's good time coming
for Richmond. under which title We in
clude not only this capital cny, but Man
chester. also various suburbs. all Of which
ought 10 be merged into one corporation.
\ number OF things have contributed to
this encouraging condition. We are fortu-
nate in not being dependent ,rpon one or
Two industries onlN We have considera-
Bile variety here. and i'm 1899 We shall have
get more. We shall then have all of the
IRON works, chemica-works. tobacco
factories box factories and flour
,ng-mlls that we have had Of
late. and. in addition. ship-yard and
a paper and pulp-mill. More-we shall
have much of the water-power Of the
falls Of James river harnessed to produce
electrical power for numerous shops and
factories in different portions of our city.
Richmond owes more than she has ever
taken the trouble 10 acknowledge 10 her
"small industries" They have given en-
ployment 20 thousands Of hands and have
kept astir a current Of business here
which has proved Of great value.
The extension Of the Virginia and Caro-
lima railroad from Petersburg to Rich
mond, and the construction of an electric
railway from our city to the Chesapeake
bay. are among the possibilities which
give US nope OF reaching new fields Of en-
terprise and getting closer to friends,
who. naturally, are much attached to us.
Two of our dreams" Of greatness are
TO be realized this year. our water-pOwer,
of which we have boasted for century
Or more, is to be made the most of.
This enterprise is 10 be welcomed not
only as realizing our long-deferred hopes,
but as showing what our own community
can and will do in the way Of raising
money for public enterprises thai are
under good leadership. Richmonders
have subscribed hundreds Of thousands
Of dollars TO this undertaking. and seeing
The confidence and spirit OF our citizens,
outside capital was easily prOcurable.
Hence the money is at hand, aud it only
remains TO construct the works needed.
Long years ago Colonel Frank G.. Ruflln
used to write pamphlets upon the adj
vantages OF Richmond as a shtp-buildng
locality. His great ability as q writer
was recognized, yet many thought him a
dreamer Not few said: THE case is
well argued. but the idea Is impracti-
cable" Yet. lo we are now building
torpedo boats for the United States Gov
eminent. Here TOO. we have more ev!-
aence of the readiness OF Richmond capi-
talists 20 respond TO calls for the develop
meat Of home Industries. Ia this respect
our men OF means are changing for the
better. Perhaps they have learned 10
their cost that home investments. as a
rule. are the best.
Colonel Ruinns dreams" or ship
ou,hiing al Richmond were always as
soeiaied with the improvement q the
taannel OF James river from this city
10 the sea We need a depth OF twenty
Hoe feet al The way out and The reporfs
pf the United States ongineeyy demon
urafe that IT Is practicable 10 obtain it,
shoal or bar here. and a rocky pro.
truslon there, would have 20 be removed :
but. with suitable congressional aid. IL
could Zoe done easily. Then We might
build warships here; here IN Gibraltar
OF natural defeuces, where 40 enemy
could lutrude, and where great stores Of
bread and meat and shot and she'll might
be kept safe from any proving cruiser
OF the enemys Richmond Is building
;orpedo-bcats now. but then we could
also give he government low bids for
armored fleets.
Heving seen how other dreams" Of
I ours have been realized. why should we
Z doubt the fulhment OF this one?
& The subject Of river Improvement is
etivins the earnest attention Of our
pnuni'y, and no effort will b9 spared