Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-01
1902 AN EPOCH MAKER
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGEo

of fact that neither the equipment of
the various railroads nor the hauling
facilities have been quite equal to the
emergencies There has been glut of
traffic in all directions and only those
who have had to wait On their raw mate
rial, while orders were pressing day by
day, appreciate the difficulty that the
railroad companies have had to contend
with. with all their rolling stock in
operation and urgent appeals from
anxious shippers in every direction.
The post-o1fice is to the front again
with very remarkable showing. The
total receipts, $3.50 2s6.z9, show an in
crease of SOS. sos over 1901. and a net pro-
fit Of Sl74603.S6 for the United States
Government after all the expenses of the
local Office and its auxiliary offices We're
paid.
Tobacco Industry REEVES.
Once again the tobacco trade springs
into prominence with the largest sales
known in Richmond for many years. IL
seems as though this industry was striv-
ing to take it's old place in the front rank
of Richmond's industries. The total sales
Of loose tobacco were 9,415,675 pounds,
millions more than they have been with
in the last decade.
With the repeal Of the war taxes I'M
pcSSu 10 meet tue CoS-a "a LIE APStiiiSAA
American clash, 1t was only natural TO
expect large falling Off in the revenue
collections, yet it is interesting to note
that in spite of largely reduced taxes
these collections amounted to Sl,569, Noto.
73.517.93 less than last year, but afford
ing by no means an untaVoraole coinpati-
son with 1852, when they were Sl.aS6.32l U.
The collections show an Increase In the
export Of tobacco but a falling off in the
export OF cigars and cigarettes. With the
exception of the tax on "h.skey. every
other item in the table issued from the
office of the Collector Of Internal Reeve
nue. is less than it vas a year ago.
The rapid extension Of the city tells us
tale in the swelling Of the receipts OF the
various municipal departments. In spite
of the wide general use OF electricity tor
lighting purposes the receipts OF the gas
works continues On the up grade, and {:
larger quantity Of water was used last
year than ever before in the history OF
the water works.
With the accumulation OF wealth anu
the prosperous conditions the assessed
values OF real and personal property have
materially increased, and the city spent
last year in the ne.ghborhood OF half q
million dollars more in Improvements. ana
to meet the eXigencies OF city government
than she did q decade ago. The grain
market has also felt the impetus OF events
and the receipts were nearly double IN
1862 what they were few years ago,
with g. gross of 5.266,ilg bushels.
over a million and q half has been IN
vested in building improvements during
the past twelve months. o. ti4s sum 1t
is said, nearly half million has been
spent on the Trigg ship-building plant
There are many large enterprises pro-
1scred for the present year and 1t looks
at this writing, as though the building
trade would nave an eACe!'ti1iidiS ha7S
year in 1903.
Owing to the prosperous conditions and
10 the energy displayed by the charitable
orga niza tons, poverty has, to very
great extent, disappeared from It's accus-
toned places. The demand for labor Is
large and incessart. and those VINO nave
been unable to work have been well pro-
vided for.
Many Notable improvements
The year 1900 has been notable for the
many improvements iEauguratsd. FIRST,
and foremost, comes the solution OF the
clear water problem wh.cp han veSed
mems souls ever since the city mains
have been filled with the unattractive
fluid that the James river has brought to
our doors. The placing of tho electro
wires underground was distinct advance
along progressive lines. and the result OF
this enterprlsing achievement are yet 10
De luitS ieEtlAHSt- A.'> p -
the Continental Tobacco Company, the
new Catholic Cathedral and a most OF
other large buildings are projected Tor 'as
present year.
While Richmond has Kept pace with the
material development OF other and larger
cities OF the North, the spiritual side mas
nor been lost sight of, and the church
CELSIUS shows that over 1000 names nave
been added to the church rosters, Htliis
abiding hope for the future rest IN ehe
fact that there are more than a"o Pa-
nils In the Sunday schools OF tie city shan
ever before -,
The fire demon, SO conspicuous By MS
onera ttors In tire past few years. seems
Ia have, ,,1rnsd his attention away from
this city for the nonce, and Win the re-
s.ens improvements in the means Tor hsat-
ing fires it is believed that MS sway IS
now !, thing Of the past.
Materially, physically. end splfltuaiis,
.,ns city has kept step with The march OF
progress In the world. and 1t VII! con-
tinue to advance.
The Virginia State Insurance Company
has assets exceeding s50o.eC9. and surplus
10 poiicy holders Of S2115.c10.eo.
= 49, A. E. HEINRICH.
Solicitor.
IL you insist on it any agent in Rich
r,ond can give YOU policy In the yir-