The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-31
SUNDAY. MARCH 81. 1901,
prBIuI DING THE JEFFERSON.

The burning OF the Jefferson Hoici
mas had the good effect At icaSt 10
arouse the loyalty and 10 sur the ahec-
.sons Of the raople Of Richmond The
people have genuinely Grieved over Inc
loss of that beautiful building, 4 gem
and work of art because 1t had be
come n perulancnt institution, part
and parcel OF our commercial ana so
ciaI entity. All true lovers OF Rich
,pond lored Etchmond's superb hotel.
loved il because. rs we have said IL
was 4 part of Richmond. one OF The
t.ify,s ornaments. and 4 grace 10 her
neck. II is :: good Thing 10 have our
local LOYALTY and local affections | nus
aroused. We do not always realize
how dcvotcdly we do love this dear Old
city unul some occasion Of this sort
arises. some Inspiring JOY CT deep sor-
row 10 stir our emotions. Then We
know and realize that Richmond IS
very dear 10 us. our City OF Jerusalem.
SO 10 speak, Cur pride and our delight
And so the people of Richmond beng
thus aroused have declared that the
hotel shall be rebuilt in lis Splendor
and loneliness. and there has been
much talk here and there OF raising Il
popular subscription for that purpose.
Ne respect and admire The motive
which has prompted this sort Of talk.
hut we respectfully submit that all such
talk is at least premature. il not lndiS-
Greet and injudicious. Why should we
iu,up at the conclusion that the own
ers of this hotel are doubtful about re-
building ii: They are rich men and
al,undantly able 10 replace the hotel II
they shall so determine. Indeed. II IS
said by those who understand such
Things that the large sim of insurance
on the building is sufficient 10 rebuild
on the present site. utilizing the foun-
dalton and a part of the walls fne
hotel. equipped with every modern APP
piiance and convenience, and 10 All
tntents and purposes as good as the
original. Why should the people Of
Richmond, we repeat, Jump at the con-
clusion that the owners Will not DO
This without aid from the public: The
owners are men Of affairs. and 1T seems
10 US the most natural thing that they
should take the insurance money, and
as much more from their private
means as may be necessary. and re-
Build their hotel not for sentiment.
hut for business. The Jefferson Hotel
had made a national reputation. had
built up splendid business and IL IS
generally understood that for some
lime past it had been paving institu-
ton. The owners cannot afford 10
throw away so valuable an asset as
the Jefferson's reputation 1t will sure
ly be rebuilt. and that. too, without I'M
necessary delay.
That being the case. there is every
reason To- suppose that the owners will
rebuild and that they will not ask or
desire any aid frolH the public. The
jefferson Hotel has been regarded as
a Richmond institution. and so it is,
hut we must not overlook the fact that
ii is ait the same time private property.
and it seems 10 Us indelicate. To say
The least, TO talk Of raising a subscrip-
tion 10 help The owners 10 restore their
hotel For the present this is I pri-
vare business matter, and we should
at least wait until the owners have de-
cided what they will do before we
offer either our advice or our aid. Our
sympathy and our good Will are enough
Cor the moment. The Chamber OF
Commerce has taken The correct posi-
zion. The resolutions adopted by that
body are timely and appropriate.