Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-01-10
Staunto1t Spettator.
Tuesday, January 10, 1871.
A GRAVE MISTAKE.
Will the Valley r. r. be Built without
the Augusta Subscription.

the opponents of the subscription to the Valley
r. R., is, that it will be built without the aid
of Augusta Even if this were true, we must
confess that their view of the matter Is not
very creditable to our county people. 1t I'M
plies that they would be willing to reap where
they have not sown: to enjoy the fruits OF 9TH
er peoples labor, without putting their OWE
hands to the plough. What would have beer
thought of the people Of Augusta if, during
the late war, they had refused to go into the
army on the plea that the people OF other parts
of the State would drive the Yankees from oul
soil? Such q suggestion would have been re-
ceiyed with scorn and Indignation. Our PEG
pie are not in the habit Of sponging on others
or seeking to enjoy the fruits of the labor O
others, without giving fair equivalent there
for. We take it then that such an argument
as the one above suggested, will find but little
favor in the eyes Of our independent, high
spirited and manly people.
But taking the advocates Of this (rathel
shabby argument, on their own ground, we
beg to enquire of them, what assurance car
they offer that the road will be built if Angus
ia fails to subscribe? We do not mean its be-
ing built at some day or other, In the remote
future We believe ourselves, that aoathln the
nert treaty gears, it will be built whether we
help to build it or not. But what assurance
can they offer that it will be built without oul
subscription, within five years? ln our opln-
ion the building of the road within any reason
able time, is entirely dependent on the vote Of
Augusta
The subscription of Baltimore is made by
the ordinance OF its corporate authorities de-
pendent on the double contingency, Of the sub
scription of one million of dollars by the Bal
timore & Ohio R. B., and of one million two
hundred thousand dollars by the cities, coun
ties and towns in the Valley Of Virginia. The
Baltimore & Ohio r. r. has subscribed bel
million of dollars. We believe that that sub
scription is also dependent on the Valley sub
ecriptions The subscription Of 100000 by
the county of Augusta is now necessary to full
I'll the conditions imposed by the Baltimore Or
dinance, and thus render these large subscrip
tons absolute.
In the absence Of this subscription, the Bal
timore subscription of million Of dollars mus
fall to the ground.
But it may be contended that Baltimore may
be induced to remove this condition We feal
not. The conditional subscription was made
by Baltimore under special authority, con
ferred on the City Councils by act Of the Leg
stature and vote Of the people. The condi
ton cannot be removed except by the passage
of new law by the Maryland Legislature, anc
by another vote by the people of Baltimore
The former subscription was obtained with DIFF
ficulty. Nothing but the personal presence Of
Gen. Lee in the city, and the controlling infu
ence which his great name exerted on the PEG.
pie Of Baltimore, could have secured favora
bic vote on the proposition to subscribe. Thal
influence has now been withdrawn Gen. Lee
sleeps il patriot soldiers grave. The man
agement Of the road has passed into other
hands, and, We fear, il would be hopeless at;
tempt to induce the people Of Baltimore Z
change the terms of their bscription
We know ti,aS--veffy shortly after the vote
was take9s-sfsssf subscription to the Valley r
I'D Similar cote was taken to authorize the
> City Councilof Baltimore not to subscribe tt
the Stock. but 10 guarantee the bonds of the o.
IL A. Z. L. With view to its extension from
Lynchburg to Danville, where it would connec
with the system Of Southern Rail Roads
This extension was quite as important to tht
interests of Baltimore as the Valley r. R., ye
1t was overwhelmingly rejected at the polls
This fact tends, strongly, to show, that we are
indebted to the influence exerted by Gen. Lee,
name and character, for the success of the
proposition to subscribe to our road. Now i
we refuse TO contribute our aid to the great
work, Whist assurance have we that other par
ties will raise the money for US? We must eon
tess that We greatly fear, that if the PROPOSE
ton should again be brought before the peo
pie of Baltimore, 10 any form, it would be voted
down. We can no longer bring the weight O
Gen. Lees name to bear in our favor, and We
apprehend that the people of Baltimore will
become indignant at the refusal Of Augusta tt
help herself, and feel disposed to withdraw the
city subscription altogether.
The great prize is now within our grasp
The question is, shall We seize it while it is Of
fered, or, BY i'll timed parsimony, allow it tt
pass from our control?
The burthen to the people Of Augusta vii
be very light It will be only an addition o.
one eigth to their present taxes, and that, only
for two years. The man who now pays $50
taxes, will have to pay but $40 more per veal
Tor two years. The man whose taxes nov
amount to $40 will have to pay but S. per an
nun more, AMI the man who now pays So viii
have to pay an additional tax of 81 for two
years. Surely our people cannot begradge this
small outlay to secure the very large benefits
which will be secured to themselves and the
county through all time, by the construction O.
the road
we verify believe, that the profits which vii
result to our people from the enhanced price,
which they will get for every thing they have
to sell during the two years that the work viii
be IN progress of construction will amount t.
more than the whole subscription of 5000. 900
The people Of Augusta are proverbiall,
shreWd, and it would be paying very pool
omplment to their sagacity, to suppose, thai
upon an expenditure of $1,000, 600 or $l40o
600 within the county they could not manage
to make profit Of 5000 900.
Feow-citizens of Augusta, LET rs not h.
msled by any of these vague, and We fear, IN
founded hopes, that other people will do fo,