The Portland daily press., 1869-06-21

We
the coIored men or their friends are likely to
secure large proportion of the petty offices.
+" GENERAL INTERESTS, TRAVEL, &C.
rnere is large amount OF land prospecting
done just now. A great many farmers es-
peeially, principally from Pennsylvania and
New York, with sprinklng of Canadians.
But the bona fide real estate transactions are
few. The land along the Orange, AIexan-
dria, and Manassas railroad down to Cor
donsyille, where the Ohio and Chesapeake
Virginia Central) crosses, ranges from SIS 10
$50 an acre. On the whole the price is veil
kept up. Yet there is this margin on nearly
every transaction, that au industrious and
competent farmer, buying now could calcu-
late with tolerable certainty upon an ad-
vance in value within two years, of from five
to ten dollars an acre. The whole country
side is for sale. Nearly everybody is willing
seVen-tenths of all land is mortgaged. The
Stale IS sl7 100000 in debt. But until there
Is settled condition practically there will
be continuance Of the present condition.
The men who are now leaving generally rep
resent number of Others who remain at
home. There seems to be tacit under
standing with regard to discouraging colo
nies or companies. Certainly the politicians
are possessed with that idea. 4...t.a
While in Richmond heard a good story
ON the New York Tribune which may in
part explain some of what the Republicans
of the South consider its unfair treatment of
them. Its agricultural editor, Mr.. Meeker, is
now travelling in the South, writing up the
condition of affairs, especially with regard to
settlement from the North, and its desirabili-
ty. There is a business move connected with
it also. Mr.. Meeker, when in Richmond,
sought out leading real estate agents, and en-
deavored to negotiate with them for adver-
tisements, agreeing to visit their land, write
favorably where possible, and also promised
too tina. the Tribune would notice editoiially.
My informant says Mr. MS encounters with
the Southern agents were amusingly cold and
Indifferent. General Imboden, who has a
sort of leading place IN this bu iness, was
called upon. i, Mr.. Meeker stated the Tri-
bune's plan, and then went on TO say that it
/
formation of colonies in the North, and settle
them together, SO he desired to learn OF all
large bodiesEof lands, favorable TO such pls-S.
Gen. Imboden at once, quite curtly ~oo' oe-
cared that was not the ~Iues~of virginia
| Northern men were J,S6 wanted in colonies.
II thew came. bops1t and settled among the
| ,,ooIo thav -ere welcome; otherwise not.
He at once declined to advertise. Mr. Meek
er very ..iainly and directly gave Imboden to
undestand that the motive Of his objection
v4s understood. The Tribune wanted to
bring Northern ideas and society; Imboden
wanted to absorb scattered settlers into the
old Virginian ideas, or at least render their
opinions innoxious. mention this incident
because it illustrates feeling here and points
out also what is almost a necessity. North
ern men should as rule go into the South
Virginia especially - in colonies or small
neighborhocd parties, so that they be only in
dependent. si $3.50 all8s .saitIsr 81.
But in the matter of business, the story
goes on to tell how Imboden beat the Irib-
une. Mr.. Meeker concluded some arrange
ments with Northern firms in Virginia, vis-
tied their lands, wrote his letters, and then
went fn,ther South. Imboden, after almost
insolenty refusing to do anything, went to
New York, and while there wrote column
and half letter, putting his own lands and
business, into which he injected stump
| speech in favor of the Conservative rebel par
| ty, and the Tribune published the same, sup
| plementing it with half column of editorial
praising it. ua enHl nal .'
1t is such incidents as this that makes the
active Republicans in the South feel bitter to-
wards that great journal and its principal
4 editor. -i i
| Crops are in fourishing condition.
| There is a much wider breadth of country
| than usual under cultivation, so far as the
valley of Virginia the wheat, just about be-
ing harvested, is very heavy, and unless in
Jured ~ the rains, will yield abundantly. A
great zeal If land is being laid in grass, anu
more than uso~l interest IS manifested in
stock-raising. 1 did>~aot visit the eastern
counties, but am told that ,se tobacco plant
ers, though doing very well, have not recov-
cred fom the war as rapidly as elsewhere in
the State. ,,t
On the whole, Virginia promises well if a
peaceable condition of affairs follows the an
ticipated speedy Inauguration of loyal and
Republican administration. SPECTATOR.