Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-09

arce OF this subject; and these letters
will shortly be followed by visits from
committees of prominent and influential
Businessmen. who will solicit their
financial support. For these commlttees.
i beg cordial reception and generous
contributions. a proper understanding Oh
the subject is all that is necessary 20 Sc
cure them both. OF this = nave o ,ee
convinced by the. spirit OF the meeting
Of December 5th. and by the tone OF the
replies. thus far received to the letters
above referred to. I. therefore. hope and
believe our pople will come to the sup
port of the bureau and that IN future It's
usefulness will not be impaired by lach
Of funds but that their generous sup
port will enable it to contribute more
and more largely to the prosperity OF
our beloved city.
MERCHANTS EXCURSIONS.
Owing to an agreement, which. for rea-
sons satisfactory to your board, had
been enteed into with Norfolk. the
special committee appointed by the
chamber to bring southern merchants 70
our city, were not able to commence
their labors until late in the season. and
fo- this cause the full efficiency OF their
work cannot be shown. Through their
efforts, however, 100 merchants were
brought to Richmond. whose purchases,
exclusive Of groceries and provisions,
amounted to SIS, 9S1.31. These excursions
are very valuable adjuncts to our trade
as they enable our Nero hanfs S1d manu-
facturers to welcome their. customers 10
our city and show therm its advantages,
and by personal acquaintance and friend
ship to establish cordial relations lead
ing tc Increased dealings. They also
bring to us many who. but f.r the In
.ducements offered, would r,ss US by and
give their patronage to ether markets.
We therefore. commend the work or this
committee in the past year and WISH
them still greater success during 1865.
The chamber, deeming the time propi-
tious. endorsed proposition OF Mr.
George w. Engelhardt to publish an illus
trated work on Richmond setting forth
its progress and many resources and ad-s
vantages This publication Is to be sim
liar to those issued by him on New
York and other large cities. Mr.. Engel-=
hardt is meeting with much encourage
.nent and the work is making rapid pro-
gress We trust the book will be credit
to the publisher. and prove an attractive
and valuable advertisement OF our city.
SOUTHERN EDUCATIONAL BOARD.
In May last the chamber Joined the
Richmond Education Assoc1at ton. of
which Mrs B. B. Valentine is president.
and several other institutions of our city
in an invitation to the Southern Educa-
tiona1 Board to hold its next annual
meeting in Richmond. and we are pleas
ed to record that the invita- ton las been
accepted, and that this important and
influential BODY will gather here the
coming spring. This patriotic movement
for the education of our people, which the
board represents. is worthy Of our earn
est sympathy and support. and I trust
that our people will. by their cordial re-
ception and earnest cooperation. evlnce
their appreciation of those engaged In
this plilan ,-.ropic work.
The chamber endorsed the bill provid-
ing for an appropriation of $4,000 to se-
cure suitable exhibit Of the products Of
this State at st. Louis in 1904. AS known
to you ALL this appropriation has been
made, and it is gratifying to realize
that our State will not be without re-
presentation and advertisement upon that
important occasion.
RECIPROCITY WITH CANADA.
On the night of March IS, 1902. this
chamber had the pleasure of hearing an
interesting and instructive address on
the question of reciprocal trade rel3-.
tons with Canada. delivered by Mr..
Osborne Howes. chairman, Committee on
Reciprocal Trade, Boston Chamber of
Commerce. The question was thereafter
duly considered. by your Committee on
Commerce, and Commercial Usages with
the result that resolutions were adopt
ed by your board. petitioning the presi-
dent and Congress to endeavor to make
some trade arrangements by treaty with
the Dominion of Canada. on the basis
OF such mutual and equivalent conces-
sions as would maintain and extend the
favorable trade connections we now pos
sess, etc.
Among other matters which have eccu-
pied the earnest attention of your COM
niittees during the year. but OF which
time does not permit me to speak, may
be named: Charter changes. merchants
licenses. restriction Of immigration. loca-
ton Of army post near Richmond. coll
lection laws Of the State. and Senate
bill. No. 80. relating to the sale of mer-
chandise in bulk.
These are all matters of Importance and
we'll worthy the attention they have, and
still are receiving.
The year Just closed has also been
notable from the presence in our city *
the Constitutional Convention which adj
formed June 26, 1902 It is questiona-
BILE whether more learned or patriotic
body ever met in Richmond than that as
semblage OF Virginia's devoted sons
They Iabored patiently. earnestly. and in
diligently over the complex problems
which confronted them. and as result
they have freed US of the dreadful In
cubus under which we were struggling
and given US a. Constitution under w...cn
Virginia cannot only live and prosper
but once more take her place among the
leading States Of the Union.
: Another patriotic body, the State Leg
islature is now in session. framing laws
to carry this new Constitution into effect
We bid them most hearty welcome to
our city,. and wish them God-speed in
their work.
TROUBLES oF.THE TRIGG COMPANY
cannot conclude this reference to the
questions and events which have occu-
pied our attention during the past year
without an allusion to what we all trust
are the temporary troubles of the w. r,
Trigg Company. We have had peculiar
interest in this establishment, and have
been proud Of the excellent work which
1t has executed. It was conceived and
founded in spirit Of love for Richmond.
In the beginning many regarded the I'M
dertaking as audacious. but the good
Judgment OF its founders has. however.
been INDICATED. for Richmond has been