The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-04-30
Benefits of Manufacturers,

BENEFITS of Manufactures.
We have frequently ureel upon oln- people
The necessity Of some organized movement ior
the establishment of Rolling Mills, &c.. at
Starttnn, rs the safest and most speedy instrll-
mentaav Of communicating the basis for the
future growth and wealth of the city. We no
ticc in one of Our exchanges that the exact
amount paid to the employees Of the Rolling
Mill in Cumberland, Nd, last noah, was
thi,fu7eiqht thousand dollars. We can form
rome estimate of the benefits OF slelf Hal enter
prise from this item. Estimating the monthly
expenditures at $4,000, and the yearly aggre-
gate would be 100000. This amount eSpend-
ed in our midst, from this source alone. OF
course would give activity to all branches of in
dustry. Every department of trade would
participate in the benefits.
Why cannot Rolling Mil be at once estab-
lished here? Staunton is central and accessible
for everything that would be necessary to OPP
crate such an industry. The pig iron is being
manufactured in great abundance along the
line of the C. & 0. r. r. Coal can be deliv-
cred here at as little cost as at Cumberland
We are nearer to an ever increasing market
These advantages now exist. BY the time a
Rolling Mill could be fairly gotten into opera
ton, the iron fields south Of lis will have been
penetrated by the Valley railroad. These are
said to be the most valuable vet discovered in
either of the Virginias. Blast Furnaces will
certainly be established for their development.
ed at least to this point. This will open up
other iron wealth. Here then we would have
the crude iron manufactured in three different
directions, on railroad lines, to feed not only
one Rolling MILL but two or three. Such ell
terprises always pay when properly conducted.
Universal experience testifies to this. Not only
would the immediate capital invested be made
to yield remlnerative profits, but the entire
community. merchants, mechanics, farmers,
and every class Of industry, would participate
in the benefits. Our farmers would have
home market for their products mechanics an
enlarged area for their skill and energy; mar-
chants could have cash customers multiplied;
and the expenditure Of half million dollars all
nually would stimulate every description OF en-
terprsa Other manufactures would follow,
and the expansive wealth Of the. city, county
and the surrounding Valley, would realize the
advantages. All that is wanting is the start
the pluck to inaugurate-ind the foundation
for one OF the most prosperous sections on the
Continent will have been laid.
. We statedla last week that the growth Of Staun-
ton was circumscribed by natural causes, with
ont manufactures. This is true. The business
enterprises are ample for the present popula-
ton of city and county. The money attracted
here from the country has nothing to keep it
long. 1t passes from one hand to another for
few days or weeks. and then seeks other 10
calities, to purchase articles of barter. This
process Of exchange is carried on year after
year, with each succeeding CROP the only source
of wealth, in comparative sense. Now this
could be reversed, by the establishment of me-
chanical industries ON a large scale. We would
have other communities laboring for our bene-
fit, and here would be the depository Of their
Industry and enterprise. Instead of this, with
all their energy, tact and application, our bust
ness men are making but little more than
comfortable living. We now have seasons Of
business inactivity, if not stagnaton. The
profits realized during the active periods are
consumed during the dull months. Establish
manufactures, and we will have a continuous
round of elastic trade, running through che
wear, and keeping fresh and bright and moving
all the faculties of the people.
Gentlemen capitalists, look at this matter
practically. You cannot live much longer
That is a decree to which there can be no i'll
junction. It is certain to be carried into effect
You and your money have to part, and the I'LL
ture eau only determine what will become OF
either of YOU. Would it not be better to give
such direction to your means While they are
Under your control, as will contribute to the
benefit Of your fellow men, ut the same time
that you arc not the losers, than to be sei1ishly
boarding it in bonds and stocks, and drawing
your per cent. to be re-invested in similar
manner?
We have everything to invite manufacturing
enterprises locality, the avenues to the raw
material, and the market for the articles after
passing through the hands of skilled worknen,
and all that is wanting is the application OF the
means, of which there is an abundance in our
very midst. If our own capitalists will but lay
the first stone in the foundation, others will
speedily come to their assistance, and new era
of enterprise, progress and refinement be inau-
gurated.