The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-01
TUESDAY, JANUARY i, 1901.
THE YEARS RECORD.

THE YEARS RECORD.
The. closing year of the century was
country has ever known, and this. too,
In spite CT the ract that during that year
a Presidential election was held. It had
been almost invariably the case that dur
ing a. Presidential year business vas
quiet because oe the uncertainty involved
in possible change Of administration.
There was more or less anxiety during
the year 1900. but VITA tire people ger
:. orally at work and the great manufac-
turing industries OF the country as busy
as they could be, it was impossible even
in a Presidential year to. stem the tide
of prosperity which had set in. The
whole country was prosperous and Rich
mond received dts share.
This is abundsntly demonstrated IN The
statistical reports which we print to-
dav. Perhaps there is no better evidence
of our progress and prosperity than Is
to be found in the increase in the de-
posts OF our banking institutions. These
Increased from $ls.4122a49.37 in 1889 to
1G,1l0,374 in 1900, an increase of $685.
l246s. A most gratifying exhibit is made
also by The savings banks. We have not
the comparative figures at hand, but we
IRE quite sure. from what we haze
learned. that the deposits in the savings
banks OF Richmond have increased near
Is, il not quite, 100 per cent. within the
past five years.
This shows that the people of this COM
munIty are rapidly learning the savings
habit. a,il If there is one lesson that the
people of the South need to learn it is
this lesson of thrift. We have, by force
OF circumstances always been an ex-
traragant people. We have wasted what
New Englanaers have saved and turned
10 profitable account. But we are learn
ing to save and the savings banks are to
be regarded as public educators. They
are doing a splendid work in this direc-
zion and ne hope that they will continue
to flourish.
IN bank clearings there IS also nota-
BILE increase. The record is as follows:
1888. $1ss. 61ss7e.1o; 1899. s165 80. 0Sz14: 1900
the clearings OF Norfolk for 1900 and
nearly double those of Atlanta
Another evidence of our prosperity is
found in the increase in the jobbing trade
during the past year. The capital en-
p!oyed increased nearly s2,00o,0oO, and the
annual sales increased s2,S57.405. The
average increase in>sales OF various ar
4 49, m
ir some cases the increase was as much
as S per cent. The total sales for the
year amounted to ssS.6s4.7O. This is, an
immense sum of money and represents
great volume of business Richmond
IS now one OF the greatest iobbing centrss
in The country. and its trade is extending
every year. She has facilities and adj
yantages possessed by no Other Southern
town and the fact that her jobbing trade
is constantly increasing is proof that
these facilities and advantages are recog-
nized by retailers far and wide.
The manufacturing exhibit is especi-s
ally gratifying. showing 1,1as plants. an
increase of 7s:: 1855. hands employed. an
increase of $50: capiAs employed SIS, lee5,-
Seu al increase OF $l,sSS.of0s ana sales
of s4sssl.S a. an increase of s7.ss4 .9.s.
After all it Is manufacturing which builds
up city and Ricinnond's industries are
steadily Increasing.
The revenue receipts and the postofice
receipts show considerable increase. and.
Indeed. in whatever direction ne turn.
save in one. we ind gains. The exception
J Is in The assessments of real estate.
THESE have fallen OF in spite Of the gem
eral progress in all lines OF trade and
Industry md it Is anomalous. This dos
clssse Is due In part TO the fact .nat for
aaer assessments were entirely TOO hist,.
Much property VAS assessed at more than
IT. narksts raiup because II vas assessed
al becn tinees xs,cn real estate values
ssere lsA.s Tor siI that We
that ans ma. 81 pns enndttians
sreal 51uesa. ncrsasr "a ths
srnAt pncx-rss
fsade md III etry