The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-03-11

FIRE.-About III o'clock on the night o. III
2nd, Mr.. j. N. Ryan, clerk of the Circuit Court
who resides about three miles southwest OF thl
city, was aroused from his sleep by grea
cracking and noise. Upon getting up he dis
covered that his dining room was in flames
which had been communicated from woot
box. BY prompt action he succeeded in eNtln
gushing the fire. AS the box was some dis
tance from the fireplace and as there had beer
no fire in the room for some hours. Mr.. Ryaf
is at a loss to account for the accidental il
was an accident.
THE FRENCH REyoLuTIoN.-.We were pres
ent, by invitations. at the lecture of Prof. Trip
in the Chapel of the Wesleyan Female Insti
tute, on Saturday night last. L: was one OF
series of lectures that he has been delivering al
the w. F. 1. and Virginia Female Institute,
and embraced the narration OF the several eau
ses that led to the late Franco -Prussian war
bringing them down through long success
sion Of years and through various political mu-
tations to the final and proximate insult offer
ed by Prussia to France, in her wantop and
resolute purpose and effort to place one Of the
Hohcnzohcrns on the throne of Spain. The
style of the Professor is highly ornate and
scholarly, and his familiarity with the subject
perfect. His effort to compress into an hour,
the details of French political history, covering
SO wide {. range, necesstated a skeletonizing,
which rendered it difficult to follow him. His
word painting, however, was vivid and inns
prcssive, carrying the listener Through those
national commissions, so frequently met with in
the history Of France, and almost making him
a spectator of the thrilling incidents. At the
close of the lecture, Miss Mary Collett sang with
s'Moutir pour la patrie,'' to the inspiring melo-
dy of which so many brave but oft times mis-
guided revoiutionists have marched joyously to
their death at the guillotine or barrcade.
Theselectures have been, in measure, pri-
vate and confined to the faculties and pupils Of
Principals who dc sire to obtain the benefits of
these historical discourses for their young la
dies, were compelled to limit the time to an
hour each evening, in order not to interfere
with the regular routine of scholastic duties.
We learn that the series was completed on
Monday night.
PUBLIC MEETING OF CrrIZENs.-A large
number of our most enterprising and substan-
cial citizens responded to the call made last
week and assembled at the Town Hall on Sat
urday night, for the purpose OF discussing the
advsabiIity of establishing manufacturing en-
terprises in our midst and determining upon
some definite plan for the accomplishment Of
the end in view.
Upon motion of Col. NJ. G.. Harman, Mayor
n. K. Trout was called to the chair, and
Messrs. Tinsley and Mauzy appointed 5ecreta-
RIGS.
Forcible and practical speeches were made
by Col. NJ. G. Hartman, Maj. II. NJ. Bell, and
Judge II. w. Sheffey, setting forth our mani
fold natural advantages and advocating the
erection of factories for the manufacture Of
iron and other commodities, and detailing at
some length our ability to compete successfully
with other sections which have become popu-
lous and wealthy, but which are far less favor
ed than our own. The remarks of each OF
the gentlemen were listened to with marked
attention, and created a feeling of profound in
terest in the subject under consideration.
The following resolutions were adopted:
By Col. N. G. Hartman
ResQLed 1. That q committee Of five be APP
pointed by the chairman, to examine and rel
port to an adjourned meeting, all theYfacts, and
data necessary for the information Of those who
might desire to establish a blast furnace. for the
manufacture of iron at this point, showing the
advantages to be enjoyedb such an enterprise.
the probable cost Of same, and the probable
number of operatives to whom it would give
employment.
2. That committee of three be appointed by
the chairman. to report to an adjourned meet
ing, all the information necessary for those who
may desire to establish paper mill in this
place. showing the probable cost of same, and
the profits that might be reasonably expected
from the enterprise, and the number of opera
tives who would be necessary to carry ON the
business.
8. That committee of three be appointed by
the chairman to report the cost OF machinery
necessary to establish first class wagon factory
and all other facts and information which might
be important, to make up,a proper opinion as
to the feasibility and probable proAta bicnesss
of such an establishment.
4. That committee of five be appointed to
prepare a paper showing the many advan-
tages offered. by Staunton to those who may
desire 10 embark in any manufacturing enter
prses.
Capt. Thomas D. Ransom offered to amend
the 4th resolution in the series offered by
Col Hartman by the addition of the follow
ing:
ssResozued. That said committee be authorized
and instructed to advertise for propositions, acj
companied by the facts and figures, looking to
the establishment at this place Of manufactures
of iron, wood and paper, or any other industry
suited to our locality, and make report upon
the comparative merits of such propositions to
said adjourned meeting"
The resolution as amended were unanimous
ly adopted.
By Col. J. Fl. skipner-
s'Resolued, That it is manifestly the policy of
the State of Virginia, to invite by all means in
her power, the Investment of capital in manu-
featuring enterprises within her borders,and to
exempt such capital. from taxation for limited
term of years, and therefore we earnestly de-
sire an amendment to the Constitution OF the
State, by viii .l the General Assembly and the
several municipalities thereof shall be elnpoW-
cred to grant such exemption.
Resolred, That copy Of these; resolutions be
forwarded To our REPRESENTATIVES in the Cen