Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1899-10-05
RICHMOND's PROSPERITY.
Richmond Times.l

IN nigh 1eatner. Iney ueClaIeu IhaU C'
lamity had settled upon the country like
pail and that it would never be lifted
until the mints of the country should be
opened to the free coinage of silver. Some
of these cried calamity for a purpose, but
others were honest in their belief that it
was necessary for the government to 90
something for the general business OF the
country and incidentally for the general
business of Richmond. Some Of the most
astute business men in the community
said that free silver was the only remedy
in sight, and that they were willing to
make the experiment because they DID
not see how conditions could be worse and
that they might be improved through the
method suggested by the Chicago con-
ventlon.
The Times did not think so. We were
quite as sincere that to try the remedy re-
commended in the Chicago platform
would be simply to make a bad matter
worse and precipitate financial panic
which would well nigh bankrupt the
whole country. 1t seemed very clear to
us that the silver legislation of the past
and the threat of free and unlimited com
age at Is to in the future had destroyed
public confidence and shaken public credit
and that it was this lack of confidence
which was responsible for all our woes.
Our belief amounted to positive conviction
that the remedy was to be found In re-
stored confidence and that this could
come only through the gold standard
Day in and day out We preached this doc
trine. We prophesied that with restored
confidence prosperity would surely come
Confidence has been restored and pros
perity has come, not only to the country
at large, but to the city of Richmond.
In proof of this we cite the article which
appeared in The Times of Sunday, In
which it was shown that improvements
were going on in this community involV-
ing the expenditure ofS5 100000. The
whole is admirably summed up in the
following special from Richmond to the
New York World:
In the history of Richmond there has
never been period when there was such
great activity in the building trade as
now. Improvements are going rapidly
forward which will aggregate S., 900, 900 in
value, and others are projected which will
amount to as much more. There is not a
competent mechanic out of work in this
city; indeed many more are needed, and
common laborers are in greet demand.
The most notable work is in progress on
the James River front, where wealthy
syndicate known as the James River Falls
Paper and Pulp Mills Company is erect
ing a big factory.
A short distance away the Virginia
Electrical Railway and Development
Company, headed by President John
SHELTON Williams, of the Seaboard Air
Line, is constructing plant which is de-
signed to furnish power to the factories
and light to the city.
Work has just been commenced by the
Southern Railway on new depot, which
is designed to cost $50, 900, and in short
while the Chesapeake and Ohio and Rich
mond, Petersburg and Carolina railways
will begin the erection of an immense
union passenger station, which will stand
near the centre of the city and be reached
by steel viaducts.
In short time the construction ola steel
bridge across the James river will be COM
menced.
The American Tobacco Company has al
most completed what is said to be the
largest warehouse In the South,
A short distance from the city the own
ers of the Union University, an institution
for the education of colored youth, are
putting up number of splendid buildings
at an estimated cost of 100000.
The Richmond Locomotive and Machine
Works, which have customers in Europe,
Asia and Africa, as well as in the United
States, are making many Improvements
and enlarging their already immense
plant.
Perhaps the most popular improvement
is the erection of an up-to-date theatre,
which is one of the handsomest structures
of its kind in the South.
A large amount of money is being spent
for handsome residences.
There is project on foot to construct an
electrician line between Richmond and
Petersburg, also a short line 10 the village
of Ashland, sixteen miles north Of here.
The New York World is a newspaper,
and prints such news only as its editors
believe will be Interesting to the reading
public. The publication which we repro
duce above was news feature in yester-
days World, and was printed under dis
play head in conspicuous place in that
newspaper. 1t is, indeed, an interesting
piece of news, and, if interesting to the
general public, how much more interesting
and important to the people of Rich
mond 1t is not only interesting, but it is
positively inspiring, and should thrill our
people to the point of enthusiasm. Rich
mond is making wonderful strides in pro-
gress, and unless there should be some un-
foreseen calamity the wealth of this city
will be doubled within the next ten
years.
Do the people of Richmond want a
change? Are the business men of this com
munity now disposed to try experiments?
We do not believe it. Leaving out the
politicians. we believe that the people of