The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-04-25
April 20. 1872.
OUR FUTURE,


the most reliable authority, that work will
speedily be commenced On the Valley Rail
road in earnest. Within three weeks at
farthest, the heavy sections between Staun-
ton aud Harrisonourg, viii be under way,
and as aoon as practicable, the permanent
route staked off, between Greenville in Au-
gusta county, and Buchanan, in Botetourt
county Sections IS, Is, 81, II, II and 9,
constitute the heavy sections above alluded
to- The work on section 9, near Mt. Craw-
ford, in Rockingham, is being vigorously
prosecuted, notwithstanding the untounded
rumor prevalent last week that it had been
suspended. The work on section Il, at
Middle river in this county, will be com
mcnced at once, and that on 26 and 70, near
Staunton, as speedily as the circumstances
will permit. Section q has been let to Mr..
John Smith, Of Maryland, and IS and 26, we
believe to Mossrs, Kelly aud O'Conncr'
As stated last week, the IS foot grade
through the centre of Rock bridge, maslng
Lexington point, has been obtained, with
great difficulty, however, and the corps of en-
gineers assigned to that duty having accom-
plished its mission, will soon be in this vicinity
to place the stakes for the guidance OF the
contractors on Is and Is We understand,
that if the maximum grade, in order to reach
Lexington, had been fixed at "a feet, it would
have been impossible to have secured it. AS
it is, the Company is cow in condition to
comply with every phase OF the law, which
clnehes the Rockbrdge subscription and
assures the central line through that county
It affords US pleasure to announce these
facts, inasmucn as gradua! ,nistrust has
been creeping over our people foY the past
few months. As We have before had occasion
to remark, railroads are not constructed at
will, nor are the arrangements to successful
~ prosecute great enterprises. consummateo
in q day. There have been many impedl-
ments, in maturing the plans for this i'm
proyement, of which the popular mind is
not cognizant and it is not the policy OF
corporations to busy themselves with meet
ing every unfyiendiy criticism, or to explain
iii the difficulties they have to encounter.
Il is presumed those who have Interested
themselves in inaugurating this work, did SO
from consideration Of prospective benefits,
and not solely for the purpose Of accommoda-
ting the people Immediately along the route.
OF course, the advantage was expected to be
mutual, as it necessarily must be. on the
completion Of the railroad. The benefits arc
all with the people, in its construction. As
the material aid has to be negotiated by other
parties than our own people it is reasonable
to sunnose that they would do 80 in their own
way and at the most propitious time. 1t
should be remembered that this is not the
only scheme engaging the attention OF the
President Of the Baltimore and Ohio Hall
read He has other comprehensive improve
mects in progress, and hence all Of his re-
sources cannot be concentrated on this one
We think little calm reflection will enable
the people to see the matter in proper 'ght,
and remove any misgiyings they may have
entertained.
Il is not the habit of Mr.. Garrett to jump
at conclusions or to enter into public enter
prise from superficial considerations che
vast GRASP of his mind and the wonderful
executive abilities he has displayed, rank him
amone the first railroad men Of the age; and
once having determined on reaching the
Southwest through the Valley Of Virginia,
nc light causes could shake him from his
purpose This determination has been made
known. and the conditions on whlch lie pro-
posed to carry the work on a certain ro"'e'
having been satisfied, the people may rest
assured that he will be true TO his purpose.
The assurance we now have of active OPP
erations ca this entire line at an early day,
and the fattering prospects that the ohen-
apdoah Valley Road will be pushed en- with
vigor, making Slaunton point, should cheer
our people with hopeful anticipaiions for the
future. With these two lines of improve
ments running through our county, its won
derful resources will be developed population
attracted, business of every description slim
ulated, and a new era of prosperity dawn
upon US.
We knew of no point in the South, whose
future has in it more Of promise than Stauu-
ton. The activity which pervades every
department Of trade aud enterprise now, viii
be wonderfully accelerated by the opening Of
new sources Of wealth Manufactures must
of necessity receive more enlarged share Of
attention, aud steps viii be taken to concen-
trata and retain capital in eur midst. Our
prominent men are too astute not to avail
themselves and the entire community OF pail
pable good. IF they do not, others more
elear-sighted and comprehensive in Interviews
will seize Che splendid prizes.
IMPORTANT DEcIsIoNs.-The Court OF
Claims, sitting at Washington, ca Monday
the 22d rendered decisions in nine or ten
cotton eases, chiefly from Savannah, Georgia,
giving judgments against the United States
to the amount of nearly $1,G90,Oo0. Among