The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-02-22
For the Virginian.
SAxdsRsvlLtE. Feb, 3rd 1872.

s. II. Yost, Esq, Dear Sir-While seated by
the FIRE this cold winter morning reading your
paper, see suggestion of yours on the subject
of Home manufacture of Buggies &c. The idea
is grand one and would pay great deal better
than our citizens many of them, to spend their
time in rrumbling about hard times, laying plans
for the next Presidential election insrueting and
complaining Of our law makers at Richmond Sc
If we wish the wealth Of this proud old county
developed, and not be thrown in the shade by
sister Counties we as her citizens. must be up and
doing. The time has arrived when action Is nee
essary, if we would wish to see our population
increased and wealth grow into our hands
This is the time, in my opinion, to act. The c.
& o. R. R., will soon be completed. The Iron
Ore of Augusta and vast Coal fields of W. Va,
will soon be brought together, which article,
when skillfully worked will make any country
rich and independent. Our county will have the
advantage of the r. Roads for the transportation
of coal and lumber end we have the Iron Ore in
abundance, and the best or as good water power
the world can afford for propelling the necessa-
ny Machinery. Many Of our young men, aud some
with familes,ar leaving our county seeking en-
ployment in other States, are leaving the best and
richest county in the world, all things considered.
If some plan could be devised to put the proper
machinery in motion. We need consumers OF the
products of our FARMS more than we need pro
We WCtC ACleVCiy pooi az tllc Ctos0 VI VI
war, citizens have been industrious, and
have accomplished more than they then thought
they could possible do. But alas, we have been
too prodigal in bad legislation and sending the
proceeds of our laborers into other States for
articles which we could and ought to have manu-
fac,ured ourselves. If the people of Augusta
could see the figures in round numbers that they
have spent for farming implements and threshing
machines alone, since the war, saying nothing
about the hundred and one articles they have
bought IN other States, it would astonsh them.
was thinking that there could be plan laid 20
get the amount paid by our farmers since the
war for machinery without much cost or trouble,
and if true statistical account could be put on
paper, that our own or foreign capital could be
brought to operate in our county and Augusta
yet be made the richest manufacturing county in
the State; my plan would be this: let each store
keeper in the county see the farmers in his
neighborhood and get the amount paid by them
since the war for the kind of machinery above
named, and the amount of money opposite the
2ames of the several parties and send to cen
trail committee at Staunton to be by them revised
and corrected and then published in the county
papers and sent to the different parts of the
county with what proportion of every farmer
having been supplied with each article and cost
Of same and what number is yet in great need OF
machinery to properly conduct their farms. Some
thing of this kind in my opinion would be OF great
Importance at this time, and would or might be OF
lasting good to the people Of AUGusTA.