The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-01
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. l, 1899.
RICHMOND AND TIE NEW YEAR.

Compared with 1898. the year 1893 opens
more favorably for Richmond and Man
chester our prospects are improving
The business tide is turning our way in
stead Of Keeping at a stand.
These facts are established by the sta
tstics we publish this morning, and are
also evidenced by the better feeling that
prevails In trade circles here. Manufac-
turers. merchants. builders and working
men, as rule, are more CHEEKY than
they have been for years. Numerous in
uuiries are being made too. about real
estate that not long ago was drug upon
the market IN brief The general belief
here Is thai there's a good time coming
for Richmond. under which title we in
clude not only this capital city, but Man
chester. also various suburbs all Of which
ought 10 De merged into one corporation.
\ number of thirgs have contributed to
this encouraging condition. We are fortu-
nate in not being dependent upon one or
two industries only. We have considera-
Die variety here. and ina 1899 We shan have
yet more. We shall then have all OF the
Non>works, chemical-works, tobacco
factories. box factories. and flour
tng-muls that We have had Of
late. and ID addition a ship-yard and
q paper and pulp-mill More-we shall
have much of the water-power of the
falls OF James river barnessed 20 produce
electrical power Tor numerous shops and
factories in different portions of our city.
Richmond owes more than she has ever
taken the trouble TO acknowledge 20 her
'sman Industries" They have given en-
ployment 90 thousands of hands and have
kept astir current Of business here
which has proved of great value.
The extension Of the Virginia and Caro-
lima railroad from Petersburg 10 Rich
mond and the construction of an electric
railway from our city to the Chesapeake
bay. are among the possibilities which
give as nope OF reaching new fields Of en-
terprlse and getting closer 20 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 boosted for century
Or more. is TO be made the most Of.
This enterprise Is 80 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 Tor public enterprises that are
under good leadership. Richmouders
have subscribed hundreds of thousands
Of dollars TO this undertaking. ana seeing
the confidence and spirit Of our citizens.
outside capital was easily pr0curable.
Hence the money IS at hand aud II only
remains to construct the works needed.
Long years ago Colonel Frank G.. Runln
used to write pamphlets upon the add
yantaees OF Richmond as a ship-building
locality. His great ABILITY os q writer
was recognized yet many thouaht him
dreamer Not q few said THE case is
well argued bot the idea IS impracti-
cable" Yet. 10! we are now building
toipcdo-boats for the United ssates Cow
eminent. Here, too we have more ev'-
aenco OF ihe readiness OF Richmond capi-
tnlisis 20 respond TO calls for the develop
ulcnt Of home industries Ia this respect
our men OF means are changing for the
better Perhaps they have Learned TO
their CO.'S that home Investments as
rule. are the best.
colonel Rollins dreams" OF ship
rmi4ns al elhmoul We're always as
so,iated With ne improvement o. the
tnanna " James river prom fhs city
70 The sea. We reed depth o. twenty
Ave feet an the way out. and the reports
n The United states engineers demon
stIa'c that 10 DIS practicable 20 obtain H.
A shoal or bar here. aud rocky pro.
tfusion there. would have 10 be- removed:
bot. with suitable congressional aid 10
could be done easily. Then We might
build warships here; here ia a Gibraltar
OF natural deiences where no enemy
could lntrudc. an0 whore great stores OF
bread ana meat and shot and she'll might
be kept safe from any proving cruiser
Of the enemy Richmond Is buidins
iorpedo-b,ats nov. bot then We could
also give he government low bids fes
armose1 ilseis
Hevfng seen now oihcr dreams" 81
ours have been realized. why should We
doubt the fulninient %; this one?
The subject OF river Improvement is
reccKine she earnest attention OF our
comm unity aud no EFFORT ~ih be spared