Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-03
THE CORPORATORS SECOND
Talk

We trust our county readers Will take
the time to read over the report OF the cor
porators' talk in another part Of the paper.
These home matters are the root OF our
prosperity, and, while not possessing the
exciting charm of great political events,
are deal more important. The Fairs
held in Augusta have given many new
phases to agriculture, many new ideas to
its followers, and some new directions to
capital. In the matter of stock raising,
for example, the result is so plainly visible
as to attract general notice from strangers
who visit them. The question now is,
whether the corporators of the Society will
be liberal, and at the same time just, with
an institution which it is their duty, as
well as their interest, to foster. The gen.
tlemen who have been appointed on the
committees to explain these matters to
them, and to press their Importance, are
well qualified for the task, and we may
safely leave it to their hands with but a
few words Of our own added, and they in
explanation of why the application to them
becomes necessary. Whether the concern
ton that it would not pay to investigate
now; unquestionably it's affairs have been
administered honestly. But there have
been two bungholes leaking that would
have sunk it, however well managed-the
failure of the corporators to pay up, to the
extent of $4,000, and the excessive use of
the operators free. entrance privilege.
The first seems to have been greatly the
fault of the managers. While they allowed
the Society to be sued in the courts for
the money it owed, they failed to take as
strong measures to collect the debts due it,
and have permitted the thing to go on I'M
til time has obliterated about one-third of
the debts, the debtors having become in
solvent. They seem to have proceeded on
line which is favorite in Augusta-that
of letting everybody owe you and you owe
everybody, land which among business men,
is considered a very loose way. The other
cause, the free entrance privilege, is just
one of those things that, nine times out of
ten, occur in stock combinations. In the
eager haste of raising the required amount,
the most absurd promises are made to those
who will take stock-promises that. If any
body's head would cool for an instant,
would be seen were impossible of fulfil
i, ment. The canvassers assure the taker
that the thing is so profitable that he will
never have to pay up but his first quota,
and after that it is all roses. When these
contracts of family admission were made,
the Society not only opened the door to
great abuses, but in reality promised away
the very best revenue that was expected to
support it. The privileges were recklessly
promised, and seem to have been far more
recklessly used. Some of the statements
made by gentleman in a position to
know, at the last two meetings of the cor
porators, must have brought blush to-
the cheeks of those who fell within their
meaning.
But it is useless to discuss these things.
They are only useful as guide to the fu-
ture: and when the affairs Of the Society
are Strengthened up at the hands of Com
missioner KINNEY, it is to be hoped that
afresh start will be made on better track.
The recommendations Of the committee
are good, and, we trust, will receive the
cordial cooperation of the corporators.
The best that can be done in the mean
time is for the Society to borrow $4,000 II
its property, pay off all it's debts, and thea
proceed vigorously to the collection of
what is due it.