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Staunton Spectator: May , 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

To the Citizens of Augusta County
(Column 04)

Summary: "Progress" contributed a letter to the citizens of Augusta, asking them to vote for the Railroad subscription. He presented numerous reasons why the profits from the construction of the road will more than exceed the cost of constructing it. Also, people should not worry about any added tax burden since railroad profits would cover those as well.

Full Text of Article:

There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood leads to fortune and renown. This tide has just now set in towards the Valley of Virginia, and especially to Augusta county, but if not taken promptly at the flood, it will certainly recede and leave us stranded, high and dry, on the shoals of poverty. Augusta county, situated near the centre of the Valley and having one line of railway from East to West, if she will now seize the opportunity offered her and secure one or both of the proposed lines through the Valley, she may make herself a great railroad and commercial centre, and have her inexhaustible sources of wealth speedily developed, her mines of valuable ores opened and pouring out their treasures; her fields enriched with cheap fertilizers; and her produce carried cheaply to the best markets; -- furnaces, foundries, workshops, factories, flourishing stores with cheap wares, churches, depots, and school-houses, with a teeming, prosperous and happy population in all her borders. But if, in her penny-wise and pound-foolish policy, she now refuses to subscribe her small quota to the Valley Railroad, and thereby defeats that enterprise and discourages, by so doing, the Shenandoah road, those enterprises with the capital at their command, will be diverted into other channels, and go to build thoroughfares and carry prosperity to sections of the country that know how to profit by them. The Ches. & Ohio R. R. Company have resolved to have their road a direct line from Kanawha to Norfolk. (This the writer states from positive knowledge direct from the parties and not by what has been developed.) This will leave Staunton and Augusta with only an old circuitous local railroad track of no general public value, which may be abandoned altogether, unless the countries on its line will undertake to keep it up, and if they do, it will cost Augusta county more to keep it up than it will now to secure all the proposed railroads. Augusta county, thus cut off from general railroad communication, her men of enterprise and capital will leave her for better fields of operation, her young men, when they grow up, will find no avenues to success at home, and will desert her to more prosperous sections of the country. -- Her farms will be worn out and deserted, poverty, desolation and want will brood over all her borders, and the owls will hoot at their folly. -- This is no fancy sketch. We live in an age of progress, and we must either ride on the wave to success, or we must be content to fall back into oblivion. We cannot stand still if we would; we cannot plod along in the old beaten track that our fathers did, for the world has gone far ahead of their times. Our fathers kept up with the times in which they lived, and we should do the same. It is as great folly for us to talk of doing without railroads, steam machinery, and modern improvements, as it would have been for them to have abandoned their houses, farms and agricultural implements and adopted the life of the wild Indians around them. And for what do you propose to sacrifice all the prosperity to be had with these railroads? On account of a paltry tax that cannot, in any event, exceed 1/8 of one per cent, per annum on your property, and in all probability will never have to be paid at all, as it is almost certain that the road will pay as a dividend that will meet the tax and yield an income besides. It is true the Central road did not pay such dividends, but it began nowhere and went to no place in particular. It never was finished, had no connections West of Gordonsville till after the war, and was nearly destroyed by the war; in other words, it was a failure -- and yet is there any man in Augusta county so far demented that he would be willing to take back the county subscription into the county treasury and have the Central R. R. blotted out of existence? You know there is not. You have got ten times the worth of your money, and, for shame, let us hear no more about the pitiful $20,000. Besides, this tax, if it ever has to be paid, will not be called for until 20 years from the time the subscription is made, when, if we get the roads, the population and wealth of the county will be at least ten times as great as now and your ability to pay proportionally increased, and for every dollar you are asked to subscribe, five dollars in ready money will be expended among you in building the road, relieving you of the present hard times and scarcity of money. It will take at least $1,500,000 to build the road through the county. Consider the effect of having that amount put in active circulation in the county, remember your need of money to pay up old scores, and, above all, to meet the heavy taxes that are not of your own choosing, but are to be imposed upon you for free schools, and other Radical devices. -- Remember, these taxes must be paid, nolens volens, and where is the money to come from -- from no possible source that at present can be discovered, if you reject this overture of capital from Baltimore and the lower Valley counties. The fact is, you must have this money, and get it by voting the subscription by Augusta county, or financial ruin is inevitable. Do not content yourself with voting yourself, but go to work and arouse your neighbors to the importance of the crisis, and see to it that the county is saved, PROGRESS,

RAPHINE, VA,

Vindicator and Virginian, please copy.

Report of Township Commissioners
(Column 05)

Summary: Commissioners were appointed to divide Augusta County into equal townships for the purposes of voting and school districting. The townships are as follows: Staunton, Beverley Manor, The Pastures, Middle River, South River, and Riverheads.
(Names in announcement: Bolivar Christian, J. G. Fulton, M. W. D. Hogshead, C. G. Merritt, Samuel Kennerly)

Registration and Township Elections
(Column 01)

Summary: The editors reminded the citizens of Augusta that the vote for township offices will take place on the 4th Thursday of May. Told them that all citizens could vote as long as they were properly registered, including those disqualified from holding office under the 14th amendment, because of provisions in the new state constitution.

Full Text of Article:

The county has been divided into townships, voting places established, registrars appointed, and the registration of voters preparatory to the election of township officers, on the 4th Thursday in this month, will commence at the various precincts on this day, (Tuesday,) and will continue seven days. It is important to bear in mind that, all who expect to vote will have to come forward during the seven days of registration and have their names recorded, to entitle them to take part in the coming election. It is true the registrars will sit two days previous to the 4th Thursday to revise their lists, when those who failed to come forward at the first sitting can have themselves registered, but it is best and safest to attend to the matter this week. Many are under the impression that, as they were registered heretofore by the military authorities that ruled the State, it is not necessary for them to register again. In this they are mistaken. The former registration goes for nothing. We are a State now, and this registration is made under State authority, and all who expect to vote must be so registered. Again, some are not aware that all citizens are entitled to vote, regardless of past political offences. -- While some cannot hold office by reason of the 14th amendment to the Constitution of the United States, yet they are entitled to vote by the 3d article of the Constitution of Virginia. Let the 14th amendment men remember this, and not fail to come forward and register.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The editors urged the citizens of Augusta to register for the election of township officers.

Full Text of Article:

Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. The duties devolving upon the citizens should be discharged with fidelity, integrity, and a rigid and conscientious sense of the responsibility they involve. The duty which now presents itself is that of Registration. It is a duty, because it is necessary to secure the freedom of voting; and this right is necessary to secure good and faithful officers. Delay or hesitation may result in the loss of the opportunity; and the influence you exert in behalf of neglect and indifference -- perhaps the very vote you cast away, may influence the result. Register now

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper warned that, contrary to popular belief, all citizens must register to vote, even if they have registered and voted in previous elections.

Registration
(Column 02)

Summary: Registration for the upcoming election begins today. The paper especially wanted "Conservative" citizens to come forward and express their opinions through their votes.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper asserted that all persons disfranchised under the Reconstruction Acts had their rights restored now that Virginia secured re-admission to the Union. The paper urged all to come forward and register.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: "A Voter" wrote to suggest the following local ticket: Waldo M. Allen for Mayor, James F. Patterson for Clerk, S. Travers Phillips for Commonwealth's Attorney, Jacob T. Parrent for Sergeant, Joseph E. Rollins for Treasurer, and George H. Hudson for Commissioner of Revenue.
(Names in announcement: Waldo M. Allen, James F. Patterson, S. Travers Phillips, Jacob T. Parrent, Joseph E. Rollins, George H. Hudson)

Remarks of Hon. A. H. H. Stuart
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper printed the remarks of Hon. A. H. H. Stuart upon the tragedy in Richmond, where the Capital Court floor caved in. "When our friends perished on the battlefield, we knew that, impelled by a sense of duty, their minds were made up, and their nerves braced for every emergency. They knew at every step they were marching to 'glory or the grave.' But the catastrophe of Wednesday last was wholly unexpected."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The ladies of the Presbyterian Church will hold their annual festival between May 31st and June 2nd.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Musical Association gave a "soiree" in the Odd Fellows' Hall on Tuesday. The proceeds will go to benefit the victims of the accident in Richmond.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Fire company of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution and the Augusta Fire Company paraded through Staunton with their engines. The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution Band accompanied them.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: A committee raised $605 for the benefit of the victims of the Richmond accident. The paper called on everyone who did not subscribe yet to pitch in.

[No Title]
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Summary: The citizens of Staunton held a day of sorrow and mourning for the victims of the Richmond accident. Businesses closed and all the churches held services.

Dramatic Readings
(Column 01)

Summary: Prof. Scharf will deliver a dramatic reading in the Town Hall to benefit the sufferers of the Richmond disaster. Highly recommended citizens to attend.
(Names in announcement: Prof. Scharf)

Western Lunatic Asylum
(Column 02)

Summary: The Board of Directors of the Western lunatic asylum released a report on their institution. They described favorable conditions in the Asylum, and reiterated the importance of establishing a separate, colored Asylum.

Full Text of Article:

The Report of the Board of Directors and Medical Superintendents of the Western Lunatic Asylum, for the fiscal years 1867-'68 and 1868-'69, was received some weeks since -- the delay in acknowledging the reception having been caused by the absence of the Editor, who feels much interest in that great and noble public charity, and whose observation, in frequent visits, confirms the most complimentary terms used by the Board of Directors in speaking of its admirable administration by the distinguished Superintendent and his skillful assistants, and faithful employees.

At the date of the last biennial report, Sept. 30th, 1867, there were in the Asylum 388 patients, male 189, female 149; admitted during the period embraced in this report 204, male 121, female 83 -- total number under care 542, male 310, female 232.

The number of patients admitted from the opening of the Asylum, July 24th, 1828, to Sept. 30th, 1869, was 1,979, of which 714 had been discharged recovered, 291 discharged not recovered, and 650 died, making the total removed 1,655, leaving in the Asylum at the date 324, of which number, 178 were males and 148 females.

The Superintendent estimates that an annual appropriation of $60,000 from the State Treasury will be necessary for the future support of the Institution, and in this estimate the Board of Directors express their concurrence.

The Directors express the opinion that the Western Lunatic Asylum will compare favorable with any similar Institution in the United States, both as to the per-centage of cures, and the cost, per capita, of maintaining its inmates.

The Directors say that, it has become an imperative duty on the part of the Government to make adequate provision for the colored insane, and that they cannot, for a moment, suppose that the General Assembly will fail to fulfill its obligation in that particular.

The importance of making suitable provision for the proper care and treatment of insane colored persons was urged upon the Legislature by the Superintendent of this Asylum as early as 1844, and repeated in his reports of 1845 and 1848. In his last report he reiterates the importance he attaches to this subject, and expresses the decided opinion that the interests of both races will be promoted by having them separately treated in different Institutions.

If we were asked to express briefly the chief secret of the successful management of this Asylum other than skillful medical treatment, we would say, in three words: "Kindness, Frankness, Firmness."

D. D. and Blind Institution
(Column 02)

Summary: The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution issued a report detailing its activities and recommendations for the future. They requested additional funding from the Legislature for some much needed expenditures, and praised the staff for their efforts.

Full Text of Article:

We have received the Report, for the Fiscal years 1867-'68 and 1868-'69, of the Board of Visitors of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind to the General Assembly of Virginia.

The Report of the accomplished Principal, Prof. J. C. Covell, for the year 1866-'67, contained an interesting and valuable history of the Institution from its establishment to that date, which is reprinted with this Report as it was not acted on by the Legislature to which it was addressed, and that body is asked to give favorable consideration to its recommendations.

The Report strongly presents the reasons for asking the Legislature to make the following appropriations:

1st. That $15,000 be added to the present annuity, thereby making it $40,000 per annum.

2nd. That a special appropriation of $4,604.77 be made to liquidate the debt incurred in 1867, by making additions to the steam apparatus for warming purposes.

3rd. That a special appropriation of $13,000 be made for the erection of laundry buildings and piazzas.

At the date of the report there were 92 deaf-mutes and 39 blind pupils. Since the establishment of this Institution in 1839, the whole number of deaf-mutes admitted is 352, and the whole number of blind pupils is 178 -- the whole number of pupils admitted into both departments being 530. In lieu of commendations of our own respecting the management of this Institution in all its departments, we copy the concluding paragraph of the report of the learned committee of examination, which reads as follows:

"We cannot close this report without expressing our deep conviction of the faithful management everywhere exhibited in this Institution. -- In our observation through the day, we saw the happy results of executive ability, faithful and earnest administration, and paternal kindness to the unfortunate recipients of this great State charity. Supported in his efforts by a corps of experienced teaches, and by the assistance of a faithful steward and an excellent matron, we feel confident the Principal will realize, as heretofore, the object of his toil, and keep his Institution in the first rank of similar benevolent enterprises in the land."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: A concert will be held at the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution for the benefit of the Staunton Baptist Church.

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: John J. McMahon and Miss Julia F. Schmitt, daughter of Mathias Schmitt, all of Staunton, were married on May 3rd at the Catholic Church by Father Weed.
(Names in announcement: John J. McMahon, Julia F. Schmitt, Mathias Schmitt, Father Weed)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: H. W. R. Poindexter and Mrs. Fannie E. Baker, daughter of George A. Armentrout of Staunton, were married on May 5th at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. James A. Latane.
(Names in announcement: H. W. R. Poindexter, Mrs. Fannie E. Baker, George A. Armentrout, Rev. James A. Latane)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: William H. Harlan and Miss Lucy F. Hall, daughter of Hugh Hall of Nelson County, were married near Afton Depot on April 12th by the Rev. S. P. Huff.
(Names in announcement: William H. Harlan, Lucy F. Hall, Hugh Hall, Rev. S. P. Huff)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: John Hanger died in Dutch Hollow, Augusta County, on April 25th. He was 80 years old.
(Names in announcement: John Hanger)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Thompson Rogers died near Hillsboro on May 1st after a protracted illness. He was 76 years old. "All who knew the deceased intimately testify that many years of his life were employed in serving the Lord, while his last moments were tranquilly and happily spent in admonishing his children to follow the example he had set them."
(Names in announcement: Thompson Rogers)