The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-12-16
The Extension of Lewis Street.

we were grained TO learn SOIue WeekS a5o,
that the corporate authorities had taken the
preliminary steps for the opening of Lewis
street from its intersection with Main Street |
TO the Railway Depot. We regard this as
matter of great public interest. 1t will af
ford to the people of the Western and North
west portions of the county, a direct and
means of access to the Depot, and
it will tend greatly to relieve Augusta Street,
between Main Street and the American Ho-
tel from the crowd of vehicles which so often
blocks it up, and impedes the progress Of
trade and travel. If the new improvement
we're made, all vehicles coming to town by
the Buffalo Gap and Churchville roads, and
their tributaries, could proceed directly to
the Depot, and unload and load, without en-
countering the jam and hustle of the lower
portion of Maiu Street. Wagons then could
pass to the Depot by Augusta Street, and
back, without turning, by way Of Lewis
Street, and vice oersa.
Another good result would follow the open
ing of the new street. A strong stimulus
would be given to building, near the line Of
the new street, and the amount Of taxable
property would thereby be largely augment
ed. We believe the increased taxation would,
IN few years, pay the cost Of the proposed
Improvement
This work has derived new significance and
Importance from the measures recently adopt
ed to ensure the speedy completion of the
Chesapeake & Ohio R. r. Most probably,
within two years Certainly within three) that
great work will be finished to the Ohio River.
In its progress, it will develop iron mines
and coalfelds, which cannot be surpassed, on
this continent. The deposits Of splint and
camel coal are found fifty miles beyond the
White Sulphur; and the iron lies between
the Blue ridge and the Alleghanies. The
Railroad will unite in wedlock, these two ele-
ments of national wealth and prosperity
Among the fruits of that union will be, the
establishment of number of manufactures
Of different kinds, in Stanton Coal, in
large quantities, will be needed, for fuel, and
generation: Of steam, to operate these factories.
Thus great coal trade will spring up, near
the depot. Buildings will be needed, at
that point to accommodate this trade, and
the other branches of business, connected
with it, These should be prepared in time.
There is nothing like prompt action, and am
pie preparation, for the coming tide Of bust
ness. But the proper buildings cannot be
conveniently erected until the new street is
opened.
We, therefore, respectfully urge our "city
fathers to take prompt measures to have
the new street opened. If they will have
the proper walls erected, to constitute the
abutments of the Bridge over the creek, a
great deal Of the filing would be done by
parties who have rubbish, which they would
gladly deposit in one of the fills" which it
will be necessary to make, to bring the street
to the proper grade During the winter
time, hauling could BE- procured on better
terms, than after the busy season opens, in
the Spring No time should be lost. Our
corporate authorities are not particularly dis
tinguished for celebrity of movement. In
deed, it is the case throughout the world,
that the officials of municipal corporations
are inert and slow in their movements. What
connection Port wine, Turtle soup and Veni-
son-pastry may have with this indispostion
to activity, we cannot say
We are inclined to anticipate rather live
" contest between the corporate authorities
and the Directory of the G. & O. r. R. as to
which can finish their work first The
point in issue is whether the town Of Staun-
ton, can make the road from Main Street to
the Depot as soon as the Chesapeake & Ohio
Il. R...Company can finish their thorough
fare from the White Sulphur to the mouth
OF Big Sandy There may, and probably
will be, some difference of opinion on this
subject 1t is, by no means, free from doubt
We are not much given to take hazards which
are attended with SO much uncertainty
But upon the present occasion, under the i'm.
pulse Of patriotic fervor and sudden gush
of domestic emotion, we fling discretion to
the winds, and CALAMITY "stake our pile" on
our street commissioners
WASHINGTON. Dec. 14.-The conditions