Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-06-26
Letter from Washington.
WAsnINeroy. D. c., June 2l, 1915

WAsHINGToy. D. c., June 81, 1915.
cannot commence my letters to the FREE
Pass. in more acceptable manner to its many
readers. than by giving brief notice of the
Hon. Chas J Faulkner, NJ c., elect from the
Dad District Of West Virginia. This gentle
man, now 20 years of age, has been here the
past week .laboring for the interests Of his
constituents, but more especially for those of
Harper's Ferry. He LOOKS IS young AMI visor-
Gus as he did in 1860, when President Buchan-
an appointed him Minister to France. Enter
ing the political arena in 1892; a representa-
tive in Congress for many years and serving
on important committees, he acquired much
practical information and which he is now
using for The benefit of his constituency.
The people Of Harper's Ferry. are at present,
in what might be termed an anomalous condi-
tiou, not knowing whether to GO or stay; to
do. or what 10 do Since the Abandonment OF
that place by .he government and tie ignoring
of it rs national armOry aud workshop Tor
the manufacture and storing Of articles of war
fare matters there have been extremely dull
and many Of It's inhabitants have been, and
are, 10 q sorry state. Beautifully aud advan-
tageously located, il is indeed great pity that
the government does not at once re-occdpy and
re-estsblSh tie works and make them as of
wore. the hvorite national armorieS Admira-
bic in facilities, convenient to appliances aud
shipment, Harper's Ferry presents advantages
! superior to any other site for such purposes in
the country and there is 10 good reason why
the United States should not again hold it
The civil war has long ceased a decade has
passed since the las, hostile gun was fred and
the moss has grown over the pathway, which
( once was beaten down BY the tread OF the work
! rnea pasSidg 10 and fro Rank weeds have
| taken the place Of the beaten paths and the
/ melancholy notes Of the whippoorwll axe borte c
/ from the spot where was heard the music Of
/ hammer and the anvil, the file and the forge.
+ A star will oit break the clouds on dark and
/ gloomy night; but is there any light or any
cheer to lift the pail from the hearts of the uu-
fortunates, who reside at Harpers Ferry p
/ The deep gorge; the gurging rivers; and, the
rocky hills, tell of protection, but give 10 hope,
/ give no promise to the tiller OF the soil, who
/ looks in vain for vegetable life to sustain him
self and family.
The great flourish OF trumpets when this
/ property was purchased and the glowing de-
/ scriptions Of what the company would DO for
7 the benefit of the inhabitants Of Harper's Fer
/ ~, have proven but empty bubbes-all Is
naught First the procrastination, then, the
evasion, and now, the rejection, give to the
purchase an ugly look-the oft-ropeated tale
Of Improbable speculation. Subterlugees are
hollow, and vain are their pretense. The Bal
timore and Ohio r. R. Company bad, whether
right or wrong, long occupied a small portion
Of the property and the fact was well known
TO the purchasers who, If they had intended
business, would never have allowed the patry
occupancy to withstand enterprise aud energy
But let them 60, though ere they are released
from The payment of the purchase money,
their boudsmen should lie made to suffer, 50
that the government may be partially com
peuslted' for The procrastiuation aud rejection.
More anon, ARGUS