Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-01-08
Town Hall.

Some six or eight months ago, we sug-
gested to the town council the idea of build
ing over the market house then being con-
structed, a large and commodious town hall,
sufficient to accommodate any assembly, po-
litical, agricultural or religious, which
might meet in Virginia in the future. At
that time, the inducements to build such a
hall were as great as ever BEFORE be-
ing only few months previous to the as
semblage of the Democratic Convention
which met at Petersburg, and which most
assuredly would have convened here if we
had had hall large enough to have accom-
odated them during their deliberations,-
and the objections as far at least as the
present outlay of money was concerned, were
infinitely less, as the price of the ground
and the foundation would have been saved
blythe proposed plan.
We had thought that the council had de-
cided upon this question, and that all their
arrangements had been made for carrying
out this improvement, SO beneficial in its
results to our town, but for some reason, of
which We are not cognizant, the movement
fell through, and we are still destitute Of
any public room large enough to hold q
common size country meeting. But we
did not commence this>article for the pur-
pose Of investigating the reason for, and
complaining Of the failure of the council to
complete this most desirable improvement,
but it is our intention again to suggest to
the council, to form some plan by which
the town and county may be supplied with
suitable public hall for their own conve-
nience, as well as the convenience Of the
State at large. ~
The Importance of such hall is obvious to
every one. Staunton is the centre of the
State, and to Staunton all eyes are turned
whenever political convention or any 9th
er assembly is to be convened, and it is
only the want Of suitable room for the
accommodation Of the delegation in their de-
alterations, which prevents every conven-
ton Of every kind from meeting in Staun-
ton. This position was well illustrate.
last fall when the democracy of Virginia
were casting about theri for ,,,,lace to hold
their convention. Staunt.,n was immedi-
ately suggested, ia fact, was the first town
IL 'he o'ate srr,oken Of, and the only legiti-
mate Objection which could be urged against
the Converting Of the convention here, was
che deplorable want of a hall sufficiently
large for the accommodation of the delega-
ton, aud neither of the journals of this
place could with any show Of truth deny
the existence of this objection. Now, to
form some idea of the Importance of such
an improvement to our town, just consider
what an amount of money was lost to the
currency Of the town and county, by the
failure of that single convention to meet
here. From all accounts, there were at
least, 800 delegates to that convention. -
We have no means of telling how many
mere spectators were in attendance, but put
down the whole number Of strangers pres
ent at 1000, which is very low figure, the
necessary expenses of each individual would
have been here, So per day. The conven-
ton being in session four days, would make
the whole assets to our hotels alone, $4,000.
Taking into consideration what would have
been expended with our different cream
tile establishments, and we do not think
that $40, 900 would be too high figure at
which to place the sum which would accrue
to our town from one single convention. Thus
we see that in pecuniary point Of view,
we would be amply remunerated for any
expenditure which we might incur in the
completion Of such an improvement. We
could mention many other important rea-
sons for our suggestion, such as the bring
ing together Of strangers from all parts Of
the State in our town where they may be-
come acquainted with the lands Of our far
mers, the different productions Of our soil,
our public works, our schools, &C. but
this article has already extended to a length
which we did not intend We will con-
clude by recommending the building Of a
large and commodious town hall, to the Sc
rious consideration Of our city fathers.
THE TRIAL OF Gro. E. DENEALE BEFORE
THE COMMITTING MAGISTRATES. This most
interesting Misunderstanding both because
Of the high position which the accused has
always held in social life, and as trusted
representative Of the people, and because
of the novelty of the case in Virginia
came to a conclusion late Wednesday even
ing. The result of the long and labored
investigation was the commitment Of the
prisoner for examination before the County
Court of Augusta, at its January term.
The accused stands charged with having
obtained the endorsement Of E. A. Stands
to negotiable note under the false pre-
tence that certain property belonged to him
(Deneale, } which in fact, did not belong to