Search the Newspapers Browse Newspapers by Date Articles Indexed by Topic About the Newspapers Valley of the Shadow Home

Valley Virginian: June 19, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Great Valley Railroad!! Engineer Randolph's Report in Full!!
(Column 03)

Summary: This full page article reproduces the report of the Corps of Engineers sent to survey the Valley Railroad. It describes the terrain and natural features along the planned route. Richard Randolph, Charles T. Mason and W. N. Bolling did the work.
(Names in announcement: Richard Randolph, Charles T. Mason, W. N. Bolling)

Who Can Register and Vote
(Column 01)

Summary: This article gives the guidelines for voter registration eligibility.

Full Text of Article:

REMEMBER that every male citizen 21 years of age is entitled to Register, except the following classes:

Those who have been convicted of Felony.

Members of Congress, and Civil or Military officers of the United States who have taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States.

All who have been before or during the war, members of the Legislature, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, Second Auditor, Register of the Land Office, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Judge of Supreme Court of Appeals, Judge of a Circuit Court, Judge of a Court of Hustings, Justices of the County Court, Mayor, Recorder, and Alderman of any City or Incorporated Town, who was ex officio a Justice of the Peace, Coroner, Excheator, or Inspector of Tobacco, Flour or other commodity.

But none of the above named officers are disfranchised unless they shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof.

REMEMBER, that Gen. Schofield's order distinctly says: "NO ONE IS DISFRANCHISED FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE REBELLION UNLESS HE PREVIOUSLY HELD SOME ONE OF THE OFFICES NAMED."

We are AUTHORIZED to state that Capt. Jackson, and the Registering Officers of Augusta county ENDORSE the above as a CORRECT INTERPRETATION of the orders governing the Registry. This, of course, settles the question, and none need fear that any other construction will be recognized or acted on.

Fusion of the Radicals
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that two factions of the Republican party in Virginia, one led by Hunnicutt and the African Church and the other by Botts, settled their differences in order to present a united front for coming elections. The editors argue that this makes registration and voting all the more important for the enemies of the Republicans.

Shall the White Race Go Under?
(Column 01)

Summary: This selection from the Charlottesville Chronicle declares that the white race will "go under" in the face of heavy taxation and radical policies unless conservatives register, vote, and win.

The Great Work Before Us--Our Opportunity.
(Column 02)

Summary: This article gives a statistical breakdown of the costs and benefits of building the Valley Railroad. It concludes that it would be extremely beneficial to Augusta, and encourages the people of the Valley to support it.

Full Text of Article:

On our first page we publish the able and exhaustive report, of Engineer Randolph to President Garrett, of the Balt. & Ohio Railroad, on the surveys made for Great Valley Railroad--the productiveness of the Valley--the importance of the road to Baltimore and the country, &c. This report must convince the most sceptical in Baltimore that it is absolutely necessary to that city's continued prosperity that this road be built. The consolidation of the O. & A. and M. G. Railroads has been completed and every thing is working properly for the furtherance of this great work. The people of Augusta can aid the Valley Railroad, by a heavy County subscription to build this great road to the Ohio: for it once completed, the interests of Baltimore makes the Valley R. R. a certainty.

The contract has been signed, giving the Central Railroad the power, if our people sustain it, to build the Covington & Ohio Railroad. We have seen a private letter, from President Fountaine, which shows that active measures will be taken at once to complete this great work, and to use this Iron Salvation for Virginia. To secure the rich fruition of our hopes; to lift our impoverished State to the highest point of commercial and manufacturing greatness, requires the aid of every man and every County on the line. A public meeting will be held at next County Court, and the County of Augusta will be asked to make a large County subscription to aid in the great work. Here is the true road to freedom and wealth. Let every man do his duty--give his mite--and a few years will see Radicalism, the Military, and all such trammels upon the energies of a free people, removed.

The citizens of Augusta will meet, on next Monday for the purpose of considering this most important subject. We are much gratified at the deep interest already manifested by our people in this great work, and the disposition to render it material aid. Some may think, that the road being already completed through the county, we have no especial interest in its extension to the Ohio River. The people of Augusta will derive greater benefit from the completion of the road, than they have already realized from its construction through the County. The charges on the Central Railroad are now excessive, and cannot be reduced with its present amount of business. The competition of the James River Canal and the Orange Road, for the limited business of the district penetrated by these works; the corps of officers and heavy expenses of repairs and transportation, which have to be maintained, renders a high tariff of charges necessary. The charges can only be reduced by an increase of business, which alone can be secured by tapping the Valley of the Ohio.

The last annual report of the Virginia Central Railroad shows, that the average charge for the transportation of tonnage is six and a half (6 1/2) cents per ton per mile, and of passengers 4 1/6 cents per passenger mile. These are about double the rates which prevail on Northern and Western roads which have a full business. Estimating the tonnage, to and from Augusta, at only 5,000 tons, carried a distance of 140 miles, at a charge of 6 cents per ton per mile, and this would amount to $42,000. Suppose the travel paid one-half of this sum or $21,000 this would make $63,000 paid by the County, one half of which sum would be $31,500 saved annually to the County, by a reduction of charges, which can alone be secured by the completion of the road to the Ohio River.

Therefore Augusta, upon its present business, would save, at least, $50,000 per annum, by this reduction of charges. A reduction of fifty per cent in the charges would, probably, much more than double the production of the County, which would duplicate its wealth. The real wealth of the County, its immense deposits of iron ore, is now undeveloped and will remain so, until access is had to the coal fields of Kanawha. Complete the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, and the coal of Kanawha (unequaled by any in the U. S. for the manufacture of iron,) can be delivered in Augusta at less than five dollars per ton. We will then see iron furnaces dotting the Central Railroad, along its entire length in the County, and instead of producing, as now, 2,000 tons or less, worth $80,000, we may anticipate a production of 50,000 tons annually, worth $2,000,000. Rolling Mills and Foundries will also spring into existence and work up the same iron into the various fabrics for which it is adapted. It is safe to estimate that the wealth and population of Augusta will be quadrupled by the full development of her latent wealth.

Our people are among the most intelligent and enterprising in the State and are, probably, better adapted than any other community of the State, to engage successfully in the many new enterprises which will open up before them. Our sons need not then go abroad, to find a suitable field in which to employ their energies. There will be work, and more than enough, to employ all at home.

Richmond and the Counties of West Virginia are now about to make a gallant effort to secure the completion of this work, in which they are so vitally interested. To do this, they must make large subscriptions, and also obtain aid from other quarters. Richmond, with a taxable property of about $25,000,000, proposes to subscribe $2,000,000, and the counties of West Virginia, having about the same wealth, it is expected, will subscribe this same amount. The counties of Henrico, Hanover, Louisa, Orange, Albemarle, Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany, through which this road passes, have, probably a taxable property of forty millions of dollars. Can't each of them subscribe to this stock? This is not a contribution from which no dividends are to be expected. There is no question, that as soon as the work is completed to the Ohio River, the dividends received by the Counties, will not only pay the interest on the loans, which are made to pay for the stock, but will, in a few years, pay the principle.

In order that our readers may form an estimate of the probable business that will be done on the Chesapeake & Ohio R. R., we give the results on some of the Northern road.

New York Central Railroad.

No. passengers carried in 1866, 3,740,156; No. of Tons carried in 1866, 1,602,197; Total Revenue in 1866, $14,596,785.66.

This road runs along the line of the Erie and divides the business with that work. READING RAILROAD, 100 MILES LONG. No. passengers carried in 1866, 384,302. No. Tons of merchandise in 1866, 1,037,121. No. Tons of Coal in 1866, 3,714,684. Total Revenue in 1866, $10,902,819.

PENNSYLVANIA CENTRAL RAILOAD.

No. Passengers carried in 1865, 2,366,213. No. Tons of freight carried in 1865, 2,764,876. Total revenue in 1865, $14,759,057.66

The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad have published no report for a number of years. Some persons allege that they desire to conceal the enormous amount of money which it is making, but, be that as it may, we feel assured the plain, practical people of Augusta, and the other counties, will see enough from this article to show them where their true interests lie, and will act accordingly.

Sensible and to the Point
(Column 03)

Summary: This selection from the Richmond Examiner argues that southern white men should not get involved with any of the northern political parties. Instead they should register and vote for "impartial, intelligent, and upright candidates, who will do equal and even-handed justice to all, but who will commit us to none of the political parties of the North." As for the Radicals, "let Hunnicutt, Botts, Pierpont and Lipscomb gather the unthinking freedmen into the sheep-folds of party."

The True Question
(Column 03)

Summary: This article urges whites to register and vote. If they do not, blacks alone will choose the government and the delegates to the convention.

Full Text of Article:

The question is, shall we vote with the negro, or shall he vote without us? "To this complexion must it come at last," and it requires no reasoning to answer so plain a question; its answer suggests itself to all. If we don't register or vote against a convention and defeat it, another will be called and the negro vote without us. Register, vote for a convention, and have an end to this trouble. It is our only hope.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Another notice urging white men to vote.

Full Text of Article:

Don't say "you can't vote with negroes." Recollect Virginia expects every true son to do his duty, hard as it may be. Voting with the negro, is but a trifle compared with giving him, and "mean white men," control of the State. True, we have a dirty job of work before us, but let every man do his best and end it quickly.

Make a Note Here
(Column 03)

Summary: Another notice impressing upon white men and soldiers the importance of voting.

Full Text of Article:

If you wish to live in this country and control it--Register and vote, and vote for a Convention, and good men. If you prefer a taxation, that will amount to confiscation, stand on your dignity and do neither. Soldiers, do your duty, as of old--vote and save the old State.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: A notice urging white men to organize.

Full Text of Article:

The Radicals are organizing to carry the State. White men be warned in time; organize--register every man in your districts, and save this country from the fate of Tennessee.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Another notice urging the importance of registration.

Full Text of Article:

If you want to see this country a hell on earth, refuse to register, and give the Radicals control of the State. The one supreme duty now is to Register and vote for a Convention, and good men.

How to Live
(Column 04)

Summary: This editorial argues that the defeated South should learn lessons from the conquering North in providing for the future. Virginians can insure a prosperous future if they encourage immigration, public schools, internal improvements and industry.

Full Text of Article:

In our last issue we asked our people "shall we live?" and dwell upon the great questions the war had settled, forever, and our duties under the changed circumstances in which we are placed, by the overwhelming and crushing defeat our defence of a great idea, that of a free, Constitutional Government, had met with. It strikes us that, having decided to live and be a part of this great, stirring age, "how to live" and do our part, is the question of the greatest moment before our people now. The war overthrew our whole labor system and found us the poorest and most God-forsaken people on earth. The lessons of the war, its privations; its sufferings; its hard labor and enforced self-denial, taught us many things, and the wonderful recuperation of the country is but an earnest of what can be done, if we, as a people, continue to look matters squarely in the face and work out of our troubles. To do this, there are many old prejudices to be thrown aside and many new ideas of life and its duties adopted. In short, as we said before, "there is but one path of safety--one road to wealth and power. Stand together--accept the conquering idea, mould it to your purposes, use it and live."

"Use it and live!" Ah! there's the rub--the bitter pill the followers of a "Lost Cause" must swallow, if they would live and prosper. In a short time the tide of immigration will commence to pour its numbers into our country. This immigration will bring with it new ideas and new modes of life. It will require a system of free schools, and it will have it, (Right here, at once, we should perfect such a system and control it.) This immigration will require small and well cultivated farms, and it will have them. It will require a liberal system of internal improvements, and they will come. To live, to retain any of our peculiar characteristics as a people; to continue to impress the seal of our moral and social natures upon this new South, we must conform our laws to our changed condition, and control this new life that is to be forced upon us. We must educate our children to labor--make them master-workmen in every branch of business, in the mechanic arts as well as professions, if we would have their superior intelligence play its destined part in the great working future. And is it not better to do so, to cease useless repinings over lost ideas, and bravely submit to the inevitable? We think so, hard as it is, and we would be recreant to our duty did we not urge upon our people the absolute necessity of "accepting the situation" and making the most of it. We feel that we strike the key-note of the new Southern idea in what we say, and our heart swells with pride as we see, in the mighty future, our loved South rejuvenated, prouder, stronger, freer than of old--the pride, the glory and the ruler of this Continent.

Disgraceful
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper reports a "disgraceful" incident in which an African American man put his arms around a white woman after winning a tournament.

Full Text of Article:

Charley Evans, colored, was the "successful Knight" at the negro Tournament in Harrisonburg last week. The whole affair was very disgraceful, from the accounts we see in the papers. The "successful" Chas. tried to throw his arms around a white lady, and, hence his arrest. We are happy that it has never become our duty to chronicle any such conduct on the part of Augusta colored people.

The Lyceum
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper notes that recent discussions at the Staunton lyceum have been particularly able. The last topic, "Are inventions of labor-saving machines a benefit to the laboring classes," was decided in the affirmative. "Dr. C. R. Harris, our talented and eminent physician, delivered a speech of forty minutes, which abounded in more practical illustrations, showing the powerful influence which could be exerted by the mechanic, if employed in the proper channel, than it has seldom been our pleasure to listen to."
(Names in announcement: Dr. C. R. Harris)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Gen. Reuben Davis, of Aberdeen, Mississippi, and Miss Sallie Virginia Garber, of Staunton, were married in Houston, Mississippi, at the residence of Mrs. Baldwin on June 5th by the Rev. W. A. Clark.
(Names in announcement: Gen. Reuben Davis, Sallie Virginia Garber, Baldwin, Rev. W. A. Clark)

Origin of Article: Daily Aberdeen, Mississippi, Examiner

Full Text of Article:

In announcing the nuptials of our distinguished fellow-citizen, we take pleasure, as the mouth piece of the beautiful city that has been the scene of so many of his forensic triumphs, in extending him the hearty good wishes and congratulations, of all who know him, regardless of political differences in the past or present; for however we or they may have differed with the General, we have all, and always, recognized in him, the lofty, honorable, high minded gentleman. May the love that his fair bride, in common with all of "West Augusta's" children, bears for the beautiful land of her nativity be transferred to her new home, whose hills and prairies like the mountains and vales of her glorious State, are the abodes of nature's noblemen, and where thousands of true hearts speak warm welcome, to one whose fair record has preceded her.--Daily Aberdeen, Mississippi, Examiner.