Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-09-19
NUMBER LII.
For the Spectator.
ROANOKE COLLEGE,
Salem, Va, September 18th, Is,

4 Salems Va, September 18th, 1871.
Dear Spec Thinking that perhaps few
lines from this delightful place might not be
unappreclated by you, We have concluded to
SEND you short communication The great
ooJect we have In view in writing this commu-
nicalon at this time, is to say something about
the Institution OF learning situated here.
Roanoke College was established in 1850 by
the Lutheran Church, and the Rev. d. E. Bit
divine has been ever since that time personally
In charge OF the Institution, with the excep-
ton OF the session of 1870-7I. The Board of
Trustees last year found it necessary to appoint
travelling agent for the College-Dr Bittle
was elected; and Prof. s. G. Wells appointed
Chairman of the Faculty. We have not heard
exactly what amount DR.. Bittle raised but
have been informed that he was very success
| full. He has again resumed the duties of his
office as President of the College and Prof of
Moral and Intellectual Philosophy. The ses-
sion OF lS7l-72 which opened on the 9th inst,
is very promising. The roll in the Collegiate
Department now numbers more than eighty
and is increasing daily. The number of stu
dents have been gradually increasing every
year since the establishment of the Institution.
and we can see no reason why it should not
continue to do so. But on the contrary there
are many reasons why this College should grow
In popularity.
We presume the corps of Prof's. is not ex-
celled by any in the State, and we do not think
we hazard too much in saying that no College
In the United States affords any better. Not
only that they are proficient in their respective
departments and fully competent to fill the va
rious chairs, but they are model men-men
who have made themselves what they are by
their own exertions-iving examples of what
energy and industry can do. These are the
Il AEt Gox,4 L. IL
tact with. They are the right men in the right
place. The thoroughness of the cause and the
cheapness OF attending must attract the atten-
tIon OF those who have sons to educate In these
hard times. Roanoke College is the place
they can get good education at small cost.
A student can attend school here session at a
cost OF from one hundred and forty dollars up
to any amount that may suit his inclination
and pocket. We think the cheapness and the
excellent system adopted by the Faculty must
ensure the success of the Institution in the fu-
ture. Then outside of the College there are
many agreeable features. The healthfuness
OF the locallty-the picturesque scenery of
mountains and valley, hill and dell-the refined
and high toned society and pretty ladies, is in
every way calculated to relieve the student of
that dreadful disease, ."Home Sickness" to
which all are more or less liable when they
leave home, especially if they have never be-
fore been out of Mama's sight. The town is
too small to afford many inducements to draw
the minds of the young from their studies. and
large enough to make it pleasant Salem is
also favored with few dashing bells whose
beauty and intellect fascinate all with whom
they are thrown in contact So that the ''young
America s. who deal In ''cdlico" and 'sstoYe'
curls, can have the opportunity of Willing
away few leisure hours in agreeable ''contab"
with the fair sex. You must excuse. US for
mentioning the ladies in this connection; but
you know they are the finishing touch or dress
ing element of this world, and as some of our
friends have suggested that Salem would not
be Salem If it were not for the women, we
suppose they are right.
The drouth has also visited this section of
the State. Crops of every kind are said to be
short. There is a great deal of complaint
here, as elsewhere, about hard times, no mo-
ney, heavy taxes, &c.
The Valley Railroad is the great topic of
conversation here, just at this time, and our
Salem friends are getting somewhat excited on
the question. The Board of Supervisors re-
scinded the subscription of the county, made
to the Valley Railroad Company, and there is
a great deal OF dissatisfaction in this place
about It, The action of the Supervisors have
been severely censured. The great contest
seems to be between Salem and Big Lick, a
little station on the Va. & Tenn. Railroad, in
the eastern part or THIS county. Big Lack
now commands nearly all the trade from the
counties south of this, and they think that
when the Valley Railroad comes to Salem, that
it will draw away the trade from Big Lick
! We suppose their fears are well grounded, as
the Big Lick people are fighting hard. There
are some Influential men here who are inter-
ested in the Va. & Tenn. Railroad, and they
are using all the power they can against the
great Valley enterprise. For the sake of pecu-
mary reward, and to keep in the good graces
of Malone and his band, they will use every
means to defeat one of the greatest improve
ments that Virginia has ever had undertaken
on her soil.
1t seems that this county is full of men who,
for private interest, will sacrifice public good.
We have no use for such men now, especially
on this Railroad question. 1t has been limited
that the Company will compel the county to
issue it's bonds by process of law, as the ac-
ton of the Board was illegal. We cannot tell
how it will result, but hope that the Valley
Railroad will not be defeated.
Salem is improving slowly. The prospects
for the Valley Railroad have frightened up
things somewhat, and, no doubt, if the road is
built to this place it will improve the town very
much. Salem seems to have favorable auspi-
ees for the future.
More at some other time.