Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-31
HAD A GOOD YEAR
A CITY OF Splendid FACILITIES.
Advantages offered 90 Manufnc-
turers and Wholesale Men Jnsur-
passed-Business OF All Kinds Re-
viewed-Dright Outlook.

his whereabouts, and to see how he
stands with the world. it is also wise
for city and community TO do likewise.
There is no better time for this retro
spect and prospect than at the beginning
Of a new year-that great stopping-place
in the journey Of men and Of cities
when we can look backwards 10 the past
and forward to the future. and measure
up what we have done. and profting by
our errors and mistakes and slips, turn
a bold and cheerful face to the future,
with wisdom learned Of experience as
our guide and counsellor.
Animated by this spirit and standing
on the threshold Of new year, we would
ask the question. What measure OF pros
perity came TO Manchester and her peo-
pie in the year 1899. and what are her
prospects of prosperity for 1900 and the
future?
We have much TO be thankful Tor
In our retrospect OF the closing year.
While all has not been couleur de rose
and oil have not prospered individually.
or as businessmen, yet there have been
much better conditions prevailing than
since the brighter days Of the prosperous
era Of lS321SS9.
ALL HAVE WORK.
The great body Of The people have OBJ
taincd employment Of some kind. and,
while wage have not generally been as
GOOD &C they used 10 be, they have been
the same as those paid IN other COM
rnmritics. and we have reasonable hopes
that they may be increased. The people
being at work, are happier, and their
earninga have gone TO increase the out
put and input Of the merchants and
dealers. which has tended TO make them
more prosperous. These more favorable
conditions are attributable to the work
demanded on the various Improvements,
such as the viaduct, the Richmond, Pc
teraburg and Carolina railway, the South
orn depot. the Virginia Electrical Railway
ard Development plant, and other impor-
tsnt enterprises on this and the Ricn-
moud side CT the river We hope that
these suspicious conditions may continue,
end that prosperity may increase and be-
come permanent and continuing. The
outlook is bright and encouraging, and
rve feel sure that Manchester will be 10
the line OF progress and advancement.
our city has been blessed with fne
health. Since our sewerage system has
been perfected, we should enjoy even
greater blessings in this respect.
Manchester Is most advantageously Sit
mated FOR health. as the southern winds,
which prevail in the summer, the period
when bad health usually obtains. blow
from an unpolluted rural district ana
bring refreshment snd heallhiuiness IN
their salubrious breezes. Our Council
wisely caused the bulk Of the residents
in this city TO be yaccinated, thus MINI
MIXING the chances OF an epidemic Oh
smallpox here. Doubtless they VIII con
tinue this good work All pupils in the
schools have been thoroughly and ehec-
lively vaccinated.
ARE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.
Good order and immunity from crime
have been most marked, and no city can
boast of a more orderly and law-aoidihg
and conservative population than ours.
The city government has been wise ana
discreet. aud there have been a good
many permanent betterments Instituted
and effectuated by our Council.
The schools of the city are in most
excellent and hourlshing condition. y
large percentage Of the children Of the
CITY attend them, and in our schools, con-
Quoted by capable and progressive prln-
cipals. and under the guidance and intro
duction OF an able corps Of cultivated and
experienced teachers, they can obtain an
education from the primary TO the hsh
school. equal TO that acquired IN any
other schools of cities or the size ana re-
sources Of ours. Our School Board was
the first I'm the State to adopt and intro
ducs into our schools the music system
adopted and permitted by the state Board
of Education, and the teaching or vocal
music in our schools. together with the
exercises and accomplishments atteh-
dant on the same, have proven most ben-
efoial in many respects to the SCHOOLS
Discipline and department have been
much improved. The pupils seem more
interested in, and attached TO, the schools'
and the school life and school work. Feel
i,, the necessity for a High School build
inc wherein we can house and accom-
MEDIATE cur higher classes. and thus en-
able MS TO advance and enlarge our High
school course. our School Board have con-
temnlated the erection OF such
building on the beautiful location at the
corner OF Eleventh and Bainbridge
streets. which is elevated and central
and affords an ideal site for such an I'M
portant cdifice.
The reports Of the Treasurer show that
the citv's finances are i'm an excellent
condition. and that our treasury Is blessed
with prosperity. III,
we are glad 10 record that our bank
has prospered and stands mgh ana
staunch in the confidence OF the people:
1t has proven a great convenience anu
boon to our city. and under It's courteous
and efficient management IS desliileu ~
greater and broader usefulness ana p'oS-
perity. ,,,,,,>-a,
NEW FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The efficiency of the Fire Department
eel a.
the nne hose-wagon and equipment pur-
chased by the city, and the employment
Of a competent force TO operate the same.
owing 10 the force Of the water IN the
mugs. which are arranged for the pur-
nose Manchester needs no IRE engines
as with proper hoses. water can ne
thrown over the highest building IN Inc
civ. The main difficulty that our Fire
Department had TO contend with was 10
GET the hose quickly TO the fires. THIS
has now been obviated, and. with ample
bosa and quick service, Which We now
have our Fire Department VIII compare
most favorably with tnat or any other
city. -,
The necessity and usefulness or busi-
ness association in our city being fecog-
nized. a number Of our most enterprislng
and publc-spirlted citizens last March
organized the Business-Men's Association
OF Manchester, and now TINS assocla'ion
has a membership or 100, ana Is most
active and energetic body Of gentlemen,
whose resolute purpose is TO devise ana
carry into effect all the ways and means
I'm their power TO further the interests ana
welfare OF the city, and 10 enhance her
prosperity and influence. This associa-
lion is vigilant. sanguine, and progress
sive and will be heard from In the
making and shaping of the destiny Of the
citv In the future. Its officers are: A. j.