The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-02-16
LET US REASON TOGETHER.

We endeayored to show IN q brief article
Inst week, that there was clear loss to the
farmers of Augusta Of from $50 600 to $780,
010, In tie exports OF farm products from
the county, by reason of the excess of char
goa on freight, on the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad, over the rates charged on the con-
solidated line. We adduced this as one rea-
son Why it was essentially important that we
should have competing lines Of Railroads in
order to secure to the farmer the largest
amount Of net return for his labor aud his
investment of capital. Let each farmer ad-
dress the facts thus presented to his own case.
For every 100 bushels Of wheat he would
sell in the Stanton market were the freights
brough! down, by means of competing carri-
ers, to corresponding figures charged on the
consolidated line, he would place in his peck
ct eight dollars more than he now receives.
Some Of cur farmers sell 1000 bushels of
wheat annually. This quantity of wheat sold
would realize to each one selling it $50
more than he now receives, under the present
rate Of charges. Each farmer can apply the
facts to his own case: fer each one knows what
his average yearly sale of wheat is.
But this is not all. The county Of Angus
ia imports yearly. on an average, at least
1000 600 lbs or 500 tons, of fertilizers.-
This amount Of freight at, say, Is cents less
per 100 lbs, would figure up about $1,4,o.
The amount Of freight embraced in agvicul-
tural implements, sugar, coffee, &C., would
double this amount So here We have an ag-
gregate-roughly arrived at-of about eighty
thousand dollars expended ID excessive fseights
fer exports and imports by the county, for the
reason that we have no competing lines of
Railroad, whereby we would be able to choose
our markets, and line of transit to them.
Let US have competition, and We can have
it within less than two years, by the construc-
ton of the Valley Railroad, and it will soon
be found that the rate of freights will be re-
-duced to the lowest possible paying figures.
These facts We present to our readers for
digestion We want them to deliberate-to
think for themsclves-and then determine
whether it would not be economy, in its most
liberal sense for them to avail themselves Of
the present opportunity of securing the spec
dy construction of the Valley Railroad as
competing line of cgress to market. We
have no disposition to muddle this question
of subscription to the Valley Railroad and
the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. By iuham-
matory appeals, and high-sounding promises.
We rather prefer to lodge facts in the minds
Of our readers, and leave Their own better
judgment to decide what is the wisest course
to pursue. We have mixed with the farming
community of this county and Rockingham,
a great deal since the war, for we, for the
most Of tie time, have been engaged in that
pursuit. We therefore know what We say,
when We assert that no class of men are more
apt to come to proper conclusions when they
direct their minds to thinking on PROPOSE
ton. Many of them have not the facilities,
nor the time ic they had to hunt up the facts.
Weshal endeavor to discharge our duty as
journalist, by collating the data, and leave
their own minds to weigh the facts and de-
termine the result. For re believe there is
more good, sound, natural sense among the
farmers and mechanics, than any other class,
OR profession.