The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-01-01


during Commonwealth. A civilized commu.
nifty must rest on large realized capital Of
thought and sentiment. There must be a
reserved fund Of public morality to draw up
on in the exigencies of national life. Soce
ty has soul as we'll as body. The tradi-
tons of State are part of its existence
Its valor and its discipline, its religious faith,
it's venerable laws, its science and erudition,
its poetry, its art its eloquence and its schol-
arship. are as much portions of its existence
as its agriculture, its commerce, and its en-
cheering skill"
THE CENTRAL WATER LINE.
most earnestly recommend the renewal
of every timely effort, and the use Of all a.
valuable means, to further the construction OF
the Central water-line, the great conception
of Washington, the censummatiou Of which
is destined to signalize the present period IN
our history The proposition already sub
mitted to Congress to adopt it as national
highway, to be constructed by the General
Government aud to be maintained and oper-
ated under its supervision, in the interest OF
the whole country, will receive the most eff
1ecGtVo dlu do my ooAutouu'
The great want of the country-adequate
transportation between the points of produc-
ton aud consumption become vital
question of the day, affecting on the one
hand the profits of the western producer, and
involving on the other the more serious ques-
ton Of food to the eastern operative. It is
lamertable fact that while the want Of
cheap and abundant food is oppressively felt
in many eastern sections, corn is yearly con
sumed as fuel in some of the grain growing
States of the Mississippi valley. tt
The Improvement Of the natural water
ways Of the country and their connections
with each other and with the Atlantic sea
board by artificial waterways is not only
necessary as supplemental to the transporta-
ton facilities afforded by railroads but to
secure that healthful competition which the
interests of internal commerce demands
The natural water ways are controlled by the
General Government, and it is equally aud
obviously proper that their connections with
each other and with the Atlantic seaboard,
especially when extending through two or
more States, should be controlled by the
same Government for the whole people.
The water line from the capes Of Virginia
to the mouth of the Ohio river is located by
parallels of latitude very nearly on the cen
trail line of the United States, and is as free
from all Injurious climatic influences as any
existing or projected avenue of trade. The
feasibility of the central water line has been
so often demonstrated by engineers Of the
highest reputation and skill; the colossal
hanoEto ~ ho dor;uod Fropo ;tc t;on
have been made SO apparent by years of care
full and extended investigation that it would
seem the only question remaining to be de-
oided by the General Government is whether
it will complete the work on national account
and control it liz the interest of the whole
country, or remit it to the States to be con-
structed by other means While it might
be OF greater advantage to us that the work
should be constructed by private capital. Sc
curing to the States of Virginia and West
Virginia special benefits in return for the
privilege granted, yet it is clear that its
maintenance as national waterway, free to
all the people, would be intellectually more
beneficial to the common country.
VARIOUS AND SPECIAL RECOMMENDATIONS
| respectfully invite your early attention
to the following recommendations That the
law for obtaining revenue from the oyster
interest be revised and so modified that the
taxes upon that interest shall be the same
imposed upon other legitimate subjects CT
Notwithstanding to the same principles,
and discriminating neither to its prejudice
nor in its favor that the legal rate Of inter-
est on money be fixed and regulated in ac-
cordance with the panty indicated will of
the people =; that speedy provision be made
tor payment Of the semi annual interest pow
due to public creditors, and that perma-
nent financial policy be matured and adopt
ed which will obyiate the necessity fer spec
ial legislation in this respect in future that
the immigration, system be thoroughly re-
vised and rendered efficient, so as not only
the better toindncc immigration, but pro-
vide fer the reception, care, and protection
OF immigrants, their cheap and speedy dis
tribution and satisfactory location in all parts
OF the State; that the existing volunteer
military organization, exerting wholesome
influence to prevent disorders and constitu-
ting the Indispensable means for suppressing
thea should they unhappily occur, be liber.
ally sustained and its extension encouraged
that such moderate appropriation be made
for the State Board Of Health as gill give
efficiency to its important operations tina!
the existing penitentiary system be SO chang
cd and reformed az RI ho p,.,lo oorto;n /,