The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-05-07

EFFECTS OF CoMpETITION.-Near three
years ago, when urging upon the county the
Importance Of securing the construction of the
Valley Railroad. and the necessity to accom-
plish that end, of a subscription by the county,
we produced figures to show that the saving in
freights alone on wheat, flour and fertilizers
would amount annually to at least 5000, to
the farmers OF the county, as the result of com
petition. We are now realizing the fulfllment
of that assumption. Not only is the benefit to
the producer, directly, justifying the argument
we then mede, but the reduction of freights of
every kind, is making still more favorable the
effect All description of shipments. to and
from the city Of Staunton and County of Au-
gusta, are made at greatly reduced prices, and
we are not extravagalt when we assume, that
within eighteen months, at least 100000 will
have been saved to our people by reduced
freights.
As this has been consummated, through the
liberalty of Staunton, and the imposition upon
the property belonging to the citizens of the
city, $780, 1000 debt, it would be nothing more
than justice were the county to assume two
thirds Of that subscription. The county receives
nearly all the advantage acquired by this re-
duction. IF the merchant pays less freight on
his goods, he is enabled to sell that much less
to the farmer and in this way it is the farmer
who realizes the benefits not only on the lessen
ing of the rates on his shipments to market,
but on his fertilizers received, and on the goods
brought here by the merchants. So the farmer
is the larger beneficiary in the end, and should,
to do the square thing, come to the aid Of the
city in dischaSeing the obligations assumed to
consummate such desirable results for all. e.
qualize the matter in proportion to benefits.
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF VIRGINIA
The Baltimore Enquirer, of recent date, pub
fishes the following notice Of this Institution,
| givingit preference over all others in the Uni
ted States. We are not surprised at this, when
we remember the character of the men who are
at the head OF it. Mr.. McIlwaine, the presi-
dent, is a gentleman OF great business capacity,
and unblemished integrity, and Darcy PAUL,
now in attendance at Louisville, on the General
Conference Of the Methodist Church South, as
a delegate, is known as one OF the greatest ben
efactors OF his day. These gentlemen would
not associate their names with its management
unless it was conducted upon the highast prin-
ciples CT business integrity.
Geo. G. jackson, Esq, of this city, is the a
gent for the Valley Of Virginia The notice
from the Baltimore paper reads
IA copy of The Policy Holders Pocket In
dex,' by the Spectator company. Of New York,
showing the standard and condition Of Ameri-
can life insurance companies for 1873, is before
us. We take pleasure in noting that the Life
Insurance Company of Virginia, which has re-
Gently established :in agency in this city, in its
ratio of assets to liabilities is reputed the bestm
the United States Of losses among the smallest;
of expenses, considering its age-expenses of
establishment being included-the smallest,and
in evey other respect relatively its position is
one to afford qualification to its managers and
security to its patrons. The compiler rejects
from the assets Of this company over 100000
of secured bonds, considered by the company
as safe and secure as they can be made, but
which do not conform to the requirements OF the
New York law; counting such as fulfilled
that law the ratio Of assets to liability is reDor-
ted BOZ per cent; adding the omitted assets it
] would nearly double that ratio