The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-29
evening State Spi,rmaL
LETTER FROM BEDFORD.
Liberty and Its Business-Public Sem
timont on Leading QuestiOns-The
Fence QuestiOn-POmOlOg DC.

/ Ills utllo piCdoahtif ioCdtSo hVal
the mountains, is pretty and prosperous
place of about 100 population, and
two wide-awake newspapers, with plenty of
churches, schools, tobacco factories, flour
and plaster mills, and the usual mechanic
shops.
Besides plenty of good building stone
near at hand, there are valuable banks of
kaoline and natural paint. The location is
very healthy, and favorable for raising
stock and dairy products, and for almost
| every variety of fruits and vines and il is
a promising fact that increasing attention is
given to the growing of those desirable and
| profitable luxuries-not yet sufficiently
practised.
Liberty is popular stopping place for
summer visitors who seek pleasure and
health at the frequented watering places
further in the mountains. Some ten miles
from here are seen those famous towering
points of the Blue Ridge mountain, known
as the ''Peaks of Otter" which are much
visited in the summer by visitors who take
healthful exercise by climbing to their
apex, some 1000 feet high, to "view the
country round" 1t is also noted fact
that Virginia's contribution of a stone to
the Washington monument, at Washing
ton, was obtained from the summit of
Peaks of Otter. Very fine fruit and
grapes, with excellent potatoes are raised
on these mountain sides, below the peaks;
and here are seen some fine dairy farms
and nice vineyards. .
In conversing with the people along the
route, gather and note the prevailing SEN
timents Of many of them in regard to most
public affairs interesting to the state,
which is about thus:
r. W. Hughes, esq, is highly respected
and quite popular with all, and it would
give general satisfaction were he called to
the new executive cabinet.
Extension and improvement of the
James River and Ohio canal by govern
ment aid is desired and expected by every
body, as a great national as we'll as state
beneft-for western producers and east
ern consumers.
A general railroad law, by the legisla-
ture, is desired by many and opposed by
but few, but grows in favor by increased
knowledge.
In regard to the state Indebtedness,
find almost every one opposed to any form
or shade of reputation while they all
believe that Western Virginia is morally
bound to pay her share, and should be
brought to the bull-ring of the United
States court and compelled to pay-yet
all seem to believe that old Virginia would
lose credit and suffer lasting odium by
repudiating to any degree. If she can't do
it now, do it soon as she can, and make
honest efforts.
There is very general sentiment in favor
of an efficient law for the protection of
sheep against dogs. All true gentlemen,
who desire to keep dogs for the chase and
hunt, are willing to pay a liberal tax on
them, which is but just and right.
1t is generally believed that liberal
usury law, allowing the use and worth of
all money, like other property, to settle the
price, will induce capital and enterprise to
seek the state, while the opposite course
would prevent and drive it away from this
state to other localities.
The postmaster has politely rendered me
aid, and Lam happy to acknowledge civil
attentions and courtesy from the editors of
both the papers here-Douglass, of The
News, and Berry, of The Sentinel; and
both seem to be prosperous, which may
they both long enjoy, with usefulness and
honor.
There are several subscribers to the
STATE JOURNAL in this place and the
surrounding country, while Mr.. Case, the
P. M, and other friends are making
efforts to extend the clubs.
About fence laws, nearly every one who
have expressed opinions to me, believe that
people should be required to fence in their
own stock rather than be obliged to fence
against the stock of everybody, for it
would be greatly to the benefit of all
honest and systematic farmers.
As l look out upon these handsome side
hills and mountain slopes, and reflect how
well they are adapted to fruit and vine grow
ing, am more sensible how advantageous
it will be when that business becomes as ex-
tensive as it should. Why, paragraph is
published in some of the Virginia papers,
showing that last season the fruit crops Of
some of the counties was of greater value
than all the grain, portions of it being
dried and canned fruit. And right here,
it will be remembered that, at the conven-
ton of the great American genealogical
society,"" in Richmond, year before last,
where nearly all of the states and territories
were represented, the largest and handsom-
est apples and pears were raised in Virginia;
and this fact should stimulate them to
great achievements.
Fruit-growers of Virginia will do well
to remember that the next meeting of that
noble old society will be held in Boston,
about the middle of next September, and
we shall be glad to see them make ar
rangements to carry off the palm in fruits.
On Saturday the weather was warm and
moist, with mud and slush roads, and a
few hours of sunshine; to-day it is cold,
and the snow has fallen more than an inch
in depth, and we seem like being in the
midst of New England winter again. The
Liberty hotel, where we are stopping,
is kept by General Terry, state sena-
| tor from this district, and owned by Mr..
Steptoe. 1t is well kept house, neat and
orderly, and if General Terry makes as
good legislator as landlord, all will be
comfortable, the table good, rooms pleas
ant, and polite servants. The mayor of
this little city is DR.. Bowyer. who has
some fancy for horticulture, and is engaged
to some extent in grape growing and wine
making.
The county court is held here this week |;
and am informed there are some interest
ing trials to be disposed of during the ses-
| sion.
send you the names of club for the
JOURNAL, and more will soon be sent you
by those engaged in extending the club.
Several persons, in conversation with me,
expressed the desire to have an extensive
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