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Staunton Vindicator: August 31, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: Reports that "the negroes of Indianapolis, Ind., have formed an equal rights association" and are conducting military drills regularly.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Urges local residents to subscribe to the construction of the Valley Railroad because the prospective line is "destined . . . to be of great advantage to the people of this section."

Full Text of Article:

We have frequently called the attention of our readers to the fact that every nerve should be strained to secure the success of the Valley Railroad, destined as it is, to be of such great advantage to the people of this section. Doubtless every County interested will vote to subscribe its proportionate share of stock. An application was made to the County Court on Monday last to take the sense of the people, on the 4th Thursday in October next, on the subject of Augusta's subscribing for her proportion of Valley Railroad stock, and an order of Court was made to that effect.

A meeting of the people of Augusta, as suggested in the Vindicator of the 17th inst., was held at the last Court, the proceedings of which will be found in another column.

From the proceedings it will be seen that not only will the subject of subscription by the County be canvassed by competent speakers at each precinct in the County, but committees will canvass each magisterial district for the purpose of increasing the private subscription to this great work.

The terms of subscription given by the President in another column, to which we have frequently called the attention of our readers, are most liberal, and it now remains with our people whether they will come nobly up to the work and make the Valley Railroads a success. If they, and the people generally of the Valley, respond as they should do, the road will be put under contract speedily, and not only will thousands of dollars be spent in our midst, but a market at home will be insured for much of our surplus. We ask our people to calmly consider the subject of subscription by the County, and their own interest in increasing the private subscriptions and act to their convictions. If they do this we are satisfied that the Valley Railroad will be an accomplished fact in a very few years, and the words of a gentleman from another State, whose immediate locality is intersected by various railway lines, will be realized, viz: "that the advantage which will accrue to our people and section have not even been imagined by the most sanguine."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that the Freedmen's Bureau will soon stop issuing rations to freedmen, who will be turned over to state authorities. The author expresses approval that "no further premium for laziness is offered by the Bureau but contends that the Northern States should bear the cost of supporting impoverished freedmen since they are responsible for the current conditions.

Full Text of Article:

Gen. Howard, under instructions from the Secretary of War, has issued an order to the officers of the Freedmen's Bureau to cease on the first of October, to issue rations to the freedmen, excepting patients in regular hospitals, or inmates of orphan asylum already established. The poor among the freedmen are to be turned over the State authorities.

The Bureau at first fed a large number of those who were able to care for themselves and hence invited the influx of negroes from the country into the towns where the agencies of the Bureau were located, and consequent upon this, in a great measure, was the unwillingness of the negro to betake himself to useful labor. By this order, on the first of October, the last hope of the indolent negro is gone. No further premium for laziness is offered by the Bureau in the shape of furnishing rations to idlers. This is a good step on the ration question. The only fault we find with it is, that its promulgation has been deferred to the present time. It should have issued long since in fast directly after the cessation of hostilities.

Before the war the poor an unfortunate negroes were provided for, for life. By law the owner must take care of them. We had no colored people in our poor houses, and further South very few poor houses, and in large districts none at all. Now the poor negroes are proposed to be cared for by the States. We agree with a cotemporary that without our consent we were deprived of our property in slaves, and that the poor are the wards of the nation and should not be saddled upon us. Really the Northern States should bear all the burden of providing for them, as they have reaped all the profits and we have sustained all the losses. But justice is something we can scarcely expect these out-of-joint times.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Referring to the recent election of Frederick Douglass as a delegate to an upcoming Convention, the author asks those who claim to be "'Loyal Southerners'" if they are really "ready for equality" and will "sit in such a mixed body."

The President and the Labor Convention Delegation
(Column 03)

Summary: Reports on President Johnson's recent meeting with a committee appointed by the Labor Convention in Baltimore, where they called on the President to support labor reforms, including an eight-hour work day. Johnson expressed sympathy but offered no promise of assistance.

Full Text of Article:

Washington, August 25.--The Committee appointed by the Labor Convention at Baltimore, waited on the President to-day, Mr. Hinchliff, the spokesman, disclaimed connection with any party in a political sense, or that the movement was for political power. He urged that eight hours per day labor should be legalized; that the public lands should be distributed so as to be reached by laborers instead of capitalists; and that the Workingmen should be protected against convict labor. He asked the President's assistance to accomplish these measures for Workingmen.

In reply, the President said he was opposed to the present system of convict labor, on account of its unjust discrimination and degrading influences. He desired to see labor elevated, and such always had been his position. His whole history showed that he was opposed to a monopoly of the Public lands. He was for shortcoming the hours of labor to the least number consistent with the interest of all, and the laboring men could rely upon his influence when it could be given in their behalf. They had his sympathy and best feelings in their cause, and he hoped they would accomplish their objects.

Local Items
(Column 01)

Summary: A brief summary of the "proceedings of public interest" at the most recent session of the Augusta County Court, including Samuel Paul qualifying as Sheriff.
(Names in announcement: Saml. Paul, J. S. Wallace, Wm. Chapman, Rev. Jos. A. Miller, Jno. Pilson, Robt. CoynerJr., Seorim McDaniel, Benj. Hill, Allen Daniel, James Swisher, Saml. N. Reed, Jas. Reed, Lewis Kaylor, Jos. Wilson, Jas. Burgy, Reuben Hill)

Local Items
(Column 02)

Summary: Reports that "there was a very large delegation from Staunton in attendance at the Camp Meeting at Rockfish Gap" last Sunday. An extra train ran in the morning and evening to accommodate the large number of travelers.

Local Items--Valley Railroad Meeting
(Column 02)

Summary: A summary of the proceedings of the Valley Railroad Meeting, held on August 27 at the Staunton Court House. For the full text of the proceedings, see the Staunton Spectator, 8/28/66.