The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-31

the jobbing business here was S,'5o'oo"'
and I'm 1895 IL was s. sso,0OO.
There was a striking advance In the an
nual sales during the past year. In 1873
the annual sales amounteditO S55,'ii,Zs1 as
against t3i,76j,770 an increase OF moF-
than Sfo00o0O during the past year. IN
1897 The annual sales amounted 10 So0,il5 -
0e2. and in 1876 10 500 .O62. By com
parison of these figures II will be seen
that the annual sales in the jobbing bus
iness. just as in the manufacturing busl-
ness IN this city. have been steadily IN
creasing during the past four years, but
the increase during the past year has been
more than that Of all the others together.
MANUFACTURERS PLEASED.
The manufacturers OF Richmond speak
in the most gratifying terms about the
results Of the wears work. With hardly
an exception they state that 1899 has been
a particularly prosperous one. and that
during the past few months the Increase
OF business, the prices raaiized ana the
collections have been better than ever ne
fore They all predict q most prosperous
year for 1890. and say that they see no
reason 10 believe that the advance VIII
not be still larger than during the past
year. Richmond manufacturers nave
never been more alive and active. Ihefe
has never been more energy, push anu
enterprise displayed and there has never
been great demands for goods manulac-
tured here than there are at present
The iobbers all have glowing reports 10
make for the past year. Win hardly an
execution they report much larger VOL
urne Of business. equally as good II hol
better prices, easier payments, Deiu'r COZ
leciions ana more gratifying general re-
suits.
ACTIVE REAL ESTATE.
The real estate market was never so
active in Richmond as at present As
place of residence this city is acknoWl-
edged TO be upon tho whole the best ol
any city I'm the South BY reason OF It's
geographic. climate and other advantages
the sites offered for the establishment OF
new enterprises are regarded as partic-
ularly attractive Tho reasonable taxa
ton low insurance rates. good fire and
police protection--all combine 10 make
II an especially desirable place from
real estate standpoint There are fewer
houses for rent fin Richmond now than
were ever known before. Nearly All the
real estate agents report that ~ is almost
imposeib.a 10 supply the demand in mod
crate-priced houses. Rates for rent are
good. and there Is a large amount OF
building now going on in the city. and
far more still planned for the year 1900
Real estate men are particularly eratifed
M the increased business and the bright
outlook for the coming year
Retail merchants are also liberal IN their
praise Of the years business. The holiday
trade was never so graft wing before as
during the past few weeks. Country
shoopers and people from villages ana
towns for many miles around came 10
Richmond % do their shopping. Home IN
dustries were never more lberaily pat
ronizcd than al this time. and every re-
tail merchant with whom ! have talked
is enthusiastic in his report ~ the past
few months business and the outlook
for 1900
HELPFUL INFLUENCES.
The influence of the Chamber ~ Com
merce. with its energetic business NJ n.
tho Tobacco Exchange. tho Grain and
cotton Exchange. the Produce Exchange.
and the vari0us othcr business orsaniza-
lions of Richmond can hardly he over
rated. An OF these appear 10 have fallen
I'M line. and tn have put thir shoulders
10 tho wheel with the ay0wcd purpose oi
giving Richmond lft There was never
"A moro united effort ON tho part of Eich-
mord's people 90 build up the various
Industrial and comm ercial enterprises.
transportation facilities. and other fea-
lures that 90 10 make metropolitan
citN.
FIVE BANKING RECORD.
There IS no city I'm tha South which af-
cords better banking facilities than Rich
mond The bank clearances of Richmond
during 1889 were Ear larger ihan ever be-