The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-12
PRESIDENTS REPORT

PRESIDENTS REPORT.
In the beginning of this. the last year Of
the nineteenth century, and the thirty
third year in the life of the Chamber. 1t
is with Il feeling of intense pride and
satisfaction9tilat 1 congratulate the mem-
bers Of our organization. and indeed every
good citizen of Richmond, upon the record
of great and decided progress which rem
ders9 the past twelve months 4 most mem
oratle and important period in the history
Of this city.
Before referring to any of the events
which characterize the year 1883 as a most
remarkable one. permit me not only to
emphasize the fact that the present year
is the last cne of the nineteenth century,
but also that it is the year in which the
twelfth census is to be taken. For these
reasons its record will be even more con-
spicuous than that of any other year, and
its results will be subjected to the closest
scrutiny. It, therefore, behooves US to
bend every energy to sustain the progress
and development 50 auspiciously COM
menced with enterprise, while at the
sane time, with wisdom and probity.
I confidently indulge the belief that the
foundations laid in the past and especially
in 1899, are of such, a nature as to abso-
lutely assure a year of prosperity in 1900.
Without intending, therefore, to discour-
aSe in the least any legitimate undertak-
ings, it seems. timely to quote from
prominent journal to the effect that we
should now hs especially careful ito avoid
the proclivity-of a large, body of our
pesple to indulge in speculative ventures
and that ':the only way we know to get
out of the year the best it has TO give,
is to be satisfied with making money
slowly. a rule which few transgress with
out 1cSs.''s
FIELD HAS BROADENED
7 quote this. recent utterance because,
here in Richmond we have so broadened
our field OF operations that enterprises
germane5 to those we already have. Or.
which our situation and opportunities
especially indicate as suitable will. in my
opinion, most safely and most proiitaby
employ our energies and our capital in
the future as indeed in the past they
could thus have been employed to the best
advantage.
The city papers of the 31st ultimo in
dicate the, esta blishment Of 103 new indus
tries at and near Richmond during le@:c;.
It is impossible, within the compass of this
report, to refer TO many of these new en-
terprises so richly deserving notice. but
cannot refrain from mentioning some CT
the recent developments which must prove
nlc st potent factors in our future. and
which have been for the rast decade at
least, and some of them even for longer
time, subjects OF constant and persever1ng
attention on the part Of this Chamber.
The Richmond, Petersburg and Carolina
railroad: the Chesapeake and Ohio via
duct, ard the Union depot to be erected by
the two companies named; the new South
ern deoot: the development CT the water
power Of James river; the Improvement of
James river self, row enlisting a sdegree
OF interest never before evinced: are, al
prcje Is y h'ch the Chamber has urged IN
season and out of season. by ways and
means tco var'ed to enumerate. From
Z the preSe n. atus We may draw he use
ful lesson that we should not be weary Of
ell do ns and that Often tx Chamber has
to considerEard act ucon matters which
cannot bear immediata fruit. but that such
9labors are not thrown away and II per-
severed in will ultimately meet some re-
ward. sss7,s IS
tt ese develormsnts are all in the nature
z OF Increased facilities for business and
are each far>more important than any
ordinary business enterprise that could
have Eeen established. as they tend to
promote and facilitate the operations of
all existing and future business enter
sprises. 81
NUMBER OF UNDERTAKINGS
I But happily, in addition to these i'm
spraEsnsnts. the pressnt lis rsSlete with a
number of sl1nde kings of such moment
that any cisy might be proud OF their
{ possessions aud am. Chamber Of Com
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