Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-31
BUNDAY........ DECEMBER 81, 1899.
THE OLD AND THE ADMINISTRATION

The world is growing older. The Chris
tan era is getting out Of its teens. one
year more and the nineteenth century will
have vanished. and the twentieth appear
ed. There are some people who cannot
understand how that will be, nor how ii
is that 1900 will not be leap year, ana
we cannot pause 10 enlighten them now
but we beg them TO accept the conclu-
sions the experts have reached. and save
themselves further trouble in the Prem
Uses
However, our retrOspection to-day viii
not embrace the century, nor the uni
verse. Richmond and Manchester. and
thereabout, will be territory enough for
US. though we may indulge ourselves in
anccuonate glances at some otheI\por-
tons OF the Old Dominion.
We are on very good terms with "all the
world. and the rest of mankind" but our
present duty is to balance the books Of
our own community, and see where and
how we have gained. or lost, since our
last annual accounting.
The concrete fact IS that 1899 has been a
year Of marvellous industrial development
in Richmond and vicinity. In that re-
spect it smashes all previous records
Some OF the enterprises we have launch
ed are already doing their appointed
work. while others are steadily advancing
ia that stage. and will make a more i'm
posing showing in next years statistical
exhibit than they do in this.
ri. l.,
mark I'm the changes 1t has witnessed on
Richmond's river-front. Greatest OF
these is the work done, though not yet
completed. IN the process of hainessing
the watcr-power OF James river Tor tho
manufacture of electricity. Next we have
presented to view amid-stream, the state
ly double line of piers which are TO carry
the tracks OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad Company. Then. there is the
bridge Of the Richmond, Petersburg and
Carolina railroad across the James--the
link which VIII give admission TO Rich
mond TO the trains of the Seaboard sys-
tenn, comprising 900 miles of track, and
reaching a section OF southern country
which must prove of incalcula5le adyan-
tage as a market for cur merchants and
manufacturers. Then, too, We see Mayo's
Island. hitherto of little practical value.
being enclosed with a stone wall, to pro-
teot II from the incursions OF the river,
and make II a 1T site for business pur-
poses. a little lower down on tho Rich
mond shore is seen our ship-yard-a new
creation OF Richmond's enterprise; O
daring venture, and a successful one. Al
present five torpedo-boats and torpedo
boat-destroyers are In course OF con.
struction there. and IN a short while the
keel OF the cruiser Galveston will be laid
1t seems certain now that Richmond is
TO become an important ship-bGlding CEN
tire. and that inspiring prospect, TO-
gether with the security from the public
enemy these yards would enjoy were this
country at war. induces the belief that
Congress viii hasten to deepen our river
according 10 the plans and estimates OF
the government engineers. And then. too.
the river has commercial value which
Will be enhanced in proportion as its
depth is increased. Many dollar it now
saves us every day I'm regulating rail-
road rates; much more would It save US
were It deepened to the depth Of twenty
two feet, as II is soon TO be.
Richmond Is now builder OF ships and
manufacturer on large scale OF
locomotives; also, OF tobacco lin every
FORM fertilizers. nails. horseshoes. rail-
road fasienings. engine axles. iiour. bak.
ing powder, school. books. agricultural
implements. machinery Of many sorts,
stoves boots and shoes. glassware,
bags. paper, tin and wooden-boXes.
buckets. tubs. and wheels. and many
other goods which We she'll not at
tempt TO mention here. though they have
noteworthy positions In the statistical
tables appearing elsewhere In this issue
We have the right to be proud also pf
the rapid growth OF Rlchmonds whole
sale and jobbing trade. In boots and
shoes. hats. clothing. provisions. dry
goods. notions. drugs liquors. hardware.
harness. and all else needed FOR farms
sne mills. our city has secured high
position in the markets OF the country.
And the practically new territory TO DO
opened TO us by tho organization Of the
Greater seaboard Railway system pro-
misses vs. stil richer reward for our en-
terprise In the future. The commercial
traveller from Richmond is the herald