The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-10
Mr. CABELL
CHOSEN PRESlDEN
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e Il. ~ 2 4
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Of most happy surroundings, and while
the chief magistrate was engaged IN the
gracious occupation OF shaking hands;
with the multitude of citizens there as-
sembled. The country was thrown into
profound grief not only at the horrible
act. but also because the President, by
his amiable disposition and conservative
actions. had endeared himself to every
citizens OF this great nation. But while
every heart was touched with sympathy
yet even so dreadful crime had no dis
astrous consequences to business inter-
csE- thus giving he stronger evidence
OF It's 1mpregnable position and the in
herent strength of this Government.
In this triumphant march of progress
and material prosperity Richmond has
Kept pace, and every citizen must ac-
knowledge. Of he be the least Sobservins
that never belore in the history Of this
city has It's future been as bright as
1t Is to-day. 1t almost seems that cur
vision may be at fault when we stop
on our business streets for d few mo-
ment and see the vast throng Of people
:lurrying here and there, busily occupied.
and especially at ne twilight hour, when
we find the army of tollers, the people
who make a city, vending their way to
tAiSiA ioluSS IL cliI tilS Oll1Ce, Tie WOIh-
snop and the factory, either on the cars
or on foot.
The charge that has come has been
so great as compared with a few short
years ago, that we might well believe IT
Is dream. But no, 1t is reality, ours
Is q busy community, and the city of
Richmond has reached point where
1t may be truly classed as one Of the
metropolitan cities of this country. In
r. t. Toll
the increase Of our Industrial and COM
mercial Importance it is our pride that.
we can assert that the Chamber of Com
merce has indeed been a great factor in
bringing about the present healthy and
prosperous conditions.
EXTENSION OF CORPORATE LIMITS
In any last annual report I referred
to the small increase in our population.
as shown by the returns of the census
enumerators, and the consequent agita-
ton for an extension of our corporate
limits, so that the suburban population,
which numbers about one-sixth of that
of Richmond, should be embraced within
the city, where it properly belongs.
also advised you that at an early uate
there would be held a public meeting
by the Chamber when this question would
be discussed by representative citizens.
Such a meeting was held in this hall on
y
and the speakers on both sides were list
ened to with careful attention. Like all
measures involving change, it was sub
jected to considerable criticism because
facts brought out during the discussion
demonstrated that the city had not done
its part towards he property owners in
what is known as Lee District" But
the wisdom of holding our meeting has
been made manifest by the sudden activ-
t,, i,, which NEG
almost Immediately after our meeting
ana to-day we find a large number of
handsome residences being erected in
what was waste ground twelve months
ago. It proves beyond a doubt that a
fair and public discussion of matters re-
lating to our interests as a community
invariably brings forth good :. results.
There is no place where such full and
free discussions can be held except the
Chamber Of Commerce.
The question of extending our corpo-
rate limits has now been aiken up by the
CITY Council which will, during this
session of the Legislature, endeavor to
obtain the passage of an enabling act
to carry out this measure. 1t should,
however be stated that many of our
fellow-citizens residing in the county are
opposed to the project, and the gentle
men who represented that view at our
meeting and whose ability and sincerity
|, OF purpose no one can or w. question,
advanced very strong reasons why the
county desires to be let alone. The main
ground of opposition however, lies In the
fact that the city had not done Its part
for the territory it had acquired hence
Judging the future by the past. they.
assumed the county had everything to
lose and nothing to gain by the change.
a plausible argument indeed, but If the
ant baS not
been what it should be there is no rea-
son why change cannot and should not
be made I am in favor of Greater
Richmond but I want it attained upon
Just and equitable basis. The unbusl-
ness-lke policy OF our city legislators in
the matter of dividing the street improve
ment fund must be changed. and the
money expended where it Is needed most.
It Is to be regretted that this palpable
mistake has not long since been cor
rected. but constants agitation will bring
about the desired change, and once ac-
cornplisheo, the greatest obstacle to an
nexation viii have been removed. and
the people OF the city and county will
get together On the question, which will
rebound to the benefit Of ALL
INDUSTRIAL. CENSUS.
After active correspondence with the
Census Office and with the assistance
+ OIL non. JOHl 1IaInp. nave SuCCSeUSu AZ
securing "a preliminary statement, re-
garding the manufacturing industries OF
the State OF Virginia. and the cities OF
Norfolk. Petersburg Richmond and Roa
noke.' Our enterprizing papers have
already obtained the figures In this state
ment and made reference to them. A
brief allusion, however, on my part will
not be out Of place as showing the magni-
tude and Importance of Richmond's man
ufacturing interests. While the three
other cities named have in the aggregate
a number of industries about IL per
cent in excess of the number Of Rich
mond industries. those Of Richmond have
81 IL per cent. greater amount of capt.
tai, employ 42 ga per cent. larger num-
Der of wage-earners. pay IS 1-2per sent,
more wages and turn out products valued
at about "a per CEN. more than the in
dustrios Of Tie other three cities COM
hined But the above figures for this
city's industries include only those with
IN its corporate limits while great
number are Just hey ong those limits. IN
GLIDING some OF the largest, such as the
Locomotive Works, the Fertilizer Works.
the Cedar Works, etc, but without ex-