The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-02-15
Business Prosnects.

The revival VI business cOniluciicc lii thc
country. which is now being plainly mani
tested, is destined. we hope, to effect great
benefits to our section Of country. In con-
vcrsation with a gentleman, a few days ago,
WHO had jiist returned from II business visit
to Washington city ana several of the North
ern States. he stated to lis that he had never
known more general inquiry about the VAL
ley OF Virginia, and especially as to the coal
aud iron lands than was being made at this
time. The fact is becoming conyincingly
apparent that the facilities for manufacture
ing iron are superior in this section to any
portion OF the Uaion.s The close proximity
Of the iron and coal, the easy access to mar
kct. and all the essential elements that mast
necessarily be considered in connection with
immense advantages over those localities
where heretofore the bulk OF the iron bust
ness of the country has conferred. Large
capitalists and operators i'll Pennsylvania
much OF the investments now employed i'll
iron manufacture in that State. We have
the coal in ineXhai,stibe quantities, equal in
quality to that Of Pennsylvania; we have the
necessary avenues of approach 10 market
completed and in process OF construction;
and in addition, we have what they have
not in Pennsylvania, the ores in all the de-
sirable varieties and in enlless quantity.
Business men know these facts, and are CIV
ing them careful and favorable considera-
ton. At various times. during the past
year, gentlemen OF large means and expert
encc have closely examined the mineral
wealth OF this region of country stretching
along North Mountain and its spurs and
parable; ridges. They have been convinced
that the Inducements are such as to justify
them in the conclusion that the iron BUSH
ness Of the country will, in q great measure,
be transferred to the Valley OF Virginia, and
hence the active inquiry now going on about
the iron and coal of this section.
We learn that j. d. Price, Esq, OF Iarri-
sonburg, real estate agent, has recently sold
for himself and Mr.. C. A. Sprinkle, about
l.,
Rockingham. to company OF Northern cap
italists-experienced in the coal mining
business-at about $50 per acre, and that
negotiations are now pending for other OK
changes that will introduce the desired capt
tai and enterprise to fully develop and util-
ize the vast mineral deposits which but
await the touch of these agents to become
sources of profit to the proprietors and pros
perity to the country generally.
We further learn that Col. Borst. Presi-
dent of the Narrow Guage Railroad, has
about cohsummated arrangements for the
iron, with which to lay the track of that
road from Harrisonburg to North River or
Briery Branch Gap where coal mining has
been carried on, and will be vigorously re-
sumed as soon as the facilities for getting it
to market are completed. The track has al
ready been graded, and it is expected the
rails will be LAID by the early summer.
These Indications constitute some OF the
evidences that are manlesting themselves
of an early return of confidence In business
relations. They point to revival OF indus.
tries and trade in which all departments of
enterprise must participate, and give cheer
Ing hope that the days of grunbling and re-
pining are soon to disappear. We OF the
great Valley OF Virginia have everything to
encourage lis. We have Il prolific soil and
genial climate, with sturdy muscle and judi
cous Judgment to bring in contact with
them. What is TO keep us back? Nothing
but our own inactiol and almost criminal
disregard of Our own interests. The politi-
Cal complications which have so disturbed the
equanimity OF the people and drawn siieir at
tenion from the practical business concerns
Of the country, are happily in the process OF
peaceful solution. The patriotic impulses
of the nation are being serenely scjleoled to
an acceptance of the result of the Sdelibera
tons now going OH, and when it is an
nounced, as soon it must be, the common
sense OF the country will recognize it as the
work OF men, who are fully alive TO the
grave issues involved and the vast Interests
TO be adjusted.
The protracteJ period of business prostra
ton which the country has endured, and the
intensely exciting suspense that has attend
ed the political Earrings and apprehensons
now verging to a close, will be followed, we
trust hy corresponding reaction in the In
tercsts OF revived business and the direction
OF enterprise into normal aud ilealthful
channels,