Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-12-31
MONDAY EVENING. DEC. 81, 1905.
ruECInsINC YEAR.


number with all the Joys and sorrows
that it has brought. Tomorrow the
world viii, as it were, start over again
that is to repeat substantially what has
been done during the past three hundred
and sixty-fve days Bleak January
will be followed by the uncertainties OF
February, the latter by the boreau blasts
of March, at the close Of which buds
Will swell again, and other indications
of approaching summer be manifested
"While the earth remsineth seed time
and harvest, and cold and heat, and
summer and winter, and day and night
shall not cease" WAS the promise TO
Noah. and such has ever been the case;
hence the coming year will doubtless
vary but little from the thousands that
have preceded it,
The year which will close tonight has
added its Quota to the worlds history.
1t has. however, brought to the birth
only an average number Of events.
Some have been serious and others inter
esting, but nothing outside the regular
order Of annual happenings.
What has resembled an avalanche OF
events has occasionally been noticed, but
when it is considered that the entire
civilized world has been brought in
touch ny cables and wireless te!egraphy,
there is after all, nothing more going
on than has always been occurring
among the many millions Of inhabitants
of the earth. The means OF gathering
news is 80 vast that nothing of any in
teres. is missed by newspapers.
The most important international, ma
iional and State events are still frcsh in
the minds Of most readers.
A large majority of the patrons Of the
Gazette are more concernedin local hap
pcnings than anything else, and especial
care and labor have been used during
the past year in recording what has
actually occurred in Alexandria, as well
as in making timely suggestions OF what
w0nld enhance the city's interest.
While Alexandria has kept pace with
the times, it has had difficulties with
which to contend that have prevented It
from forging ahead as many had hoped
The city would at the beginning OF the
year now about to close. This has been
brought about by causes over which its
citizens have no control. There has, for
instance, been but little building in the
city during tho year from the fact that
material AID labor have both scared he
y0nd the reach Of people OF moderate
means; hence but little beyond urgent
work has been contracted for.
The business of the city, however, has
by no means fallen off and merchants
have manifested enterprise by adVertit
ing more freely than during past years,
and they have naturally proiiIed thereby.
There is every reason to believe that
trade would have been still further ex-
banded had the railroad depots been al
lowed to remain in Alexandra. Their
removal has teen a serion, setback to
our merchants, but We hope they will
rise superior to their difficulties and
keep pace with the times Notwithstanding
the troubles they will have TO surmonnt.
Alexsndris had become the base Of
supplies for large area of country when
this misfortune came upon the city.
The city commercial importance was
being rapidly asserted, aud lie trade WIS
being extended into many channels and
in competition with neighbOring cities
Alexandria is still holding its own and
will doubtless continue its aggressiyeness
ia efforts to still further extend its trade.
During the year several squares OF
yitrfed brick roadway have been added
ia Alexandria and considerable sewer
work prosecuted Part of what will
eventually become the Cloaka maxima
of the city has been constructed on
Peyton and King streets. This will Re
continued north and west and in few
years with its lateral branches, will sflerd
sewerage to a large portion of the city,
adding to the convenience of thousands
and increasing the value OF property.
The surest thermometers of the city's
commercial Importance are the banking
institutions of Alexandra. These have
been doubled during the past few years,
aud all are thriving and the bulk oil
their business is increasing daily.
Construction OF modern electric plant
in this city is probably the most graft
lying event to be credited to the yeaI
1906. The city is now in condition to
furnish electricity for Illuminating pur
poses "a we'll as for power.
The city is now enjoying the bes'
transportation service OF its history. A
double track railway connects Alexsn6r,'
with the capital of the country. During