The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-04-17

discipline. and every person is sure of re-
4 ceiving courteous attention from its en-
ployees. Its Superintendent, Mr.. A. N
Towne, is an example Of what honest, faith
full industry can do when backed by ability
He began life in the railroad world as
brakeman on freight train on the Burling-
ton and Quincy DAD; his attention to bust
ness soon caused his promotion to the place
OF conductor of train, where he remain
ed only few months before he was again
promoted, this time to the position Of con.
ductor on passenger train. Perhaps he
had reached the summit Of his ambition, for
he devoted himself so thoroughly to his
business that he had little thought for other
things but there is nothing truer than the
saying, there is always room at the top,''
and strict devotion to the duty in hand is
the surest pilot to the upper ranks. l think
conductor Towne was the most surprised
man in Chicago on certain Saturday when,
having been called by telegram from his
train-as he feared for disnissal-he was d.
rected to assume the duties of assistant SUI
perintendent OF the road on which he began
as brakeman. Steadily he won his way,
devoting his entire time to the interests OF
his road, gaining with each year business
experience and knowledge of men deve-
oping remarkable executive ability and un
consciously by preparing himself forthe great
| work which was soon to call him. A good
many men can construct railroads but the
number is small who can successfully man
| age them. A N. Towne's reputation was
we'll known, and when the Central Pacific
looked about for superintendent it found
our promoted brakeman, and recognizing
his ability at once took steps to secure his
! services. Now he finds himselfsuperintend
ing 2,734 miles of railroad and connecting
| steamers, and debating the tariffs of the
Panama, Australian and China lines, steam
ships.
Some idea of the magnitude of this bust
ness may be had from examination of one
portion of 1.-THE Central Pacific, 1888 miles
| in length.
During the year 1877 it handled 2 1881, l76,
9Sl pounds of freight, in the list OF which
find almost everything from cactus pulp to
sea lions; it transported $500. 55 passengers
AN increase over the previous year of l.,
O47, 1877, which is not strong argument
for the prevailing cry of hard times. The
earnings of the road for the same year were
sl6,47l.l4411 and its operating expenses
$7,774, 41776. How is that for a railroad !?
Why, it requires 390,6 53 pnts Of oil to keep
the engines creased year, and yet Dennis
krarney thinks, or pretends to think, thai
the men who have brought it up to its pres
| and take not so much as the clothes upon
| their back with them. All, Dennis, my
| boy, the rope may be long that you're tet =
cred with, but communism will bring you
| to the end, nevertheless.
That the carrying rates are too high, BY
lar, believe, but point me to road which
has no other line to compete with, the tariff
of which is not exhorbitant l remember
the little road fourteen miles in length, run
ming from Tocoi on the st. John river, to
st. Augustine, Florida. 1t cost two dollars
to go over it in an old street car brought
from New York; and then. as if conscious
stricken for letting people off so easily, the
depot was placed far enough from town to
compel people to use the bus, for which an
additional fifty cents is charged.
The monopolists and extorsioners will not
all claim California as their residence when
the final roll call is made, across the river.
No doubt this State will furnish her full
quota, but question if she more than holds
her own.
| AS we have discussed these outside mat,
tiers our train has moved on through the
Sac amento valley; past the city of Stock
| ton, thriving, busy town, of $4,000 inhab-
itants, with increa slug manufacturing inter
ests, and the shipping point for numerous
extensive grain ranches. Far and wide
the town is known as the city of wind
mills, of which it has very large number,
and on a windy day when their arms arr
stretched forth to do their work. they attract
the eye of every traveller. Stockton is a
good place to keep warm in the summer
the thermometer reaching 1909 in the shade.
| but sunstroke is unknown, and the atmos-
phere is so tboro ughly dry there is less in
| convenience felt from the heat than one
usually finds in Il like temperature east.
But on we go, halting at Lathrop to dine.
and interview fine old grizzly bear which
| ri, ,1at Ha 10 a N.
did fellow. and ought to be joined to my
Green River menagerie.
From Lathrop we come the San Joaquin
[San Waukeenl Valley, where are fields OF
wheat stretching so far away our eyes can
not compass the distance fruit orchards anc
vineyards, extensive vegetable gardens
acres of small fruits meet the eye. Elegant
residences increase in number as we go on
Off to our right is the bay /; we drink in ouI
souls fill Of the loveliness of the scene be-
fore u.s., while Mount Diable rears its head t.
remind us that we must not forget our low
for the mountains in our admiration for thu
valleys. Just as the sun fs reaching cow
to kiss the ocean waves goodnight ou
train hats at Oakland Point, and we leave
the cars for the ferry boat, which viii
carry US safely to San Francisco in les'
than half an hour. There lies the city
browning half dozen hills and reachin.
around and beyond them; at its feet is tn
bay, in which busy crafts are plying state
ly ships from far away foreign ports, yint
at anchor; and among them one formidable
looking man. of-war over which flies TIN
French flag. Imme diately on our right Goa
Island lies; little further down we SCI
Alcatraz, its surface, seemingly, covered
with government buildings; beyond Ange
Island, with its carpet of green grass, look
like place of rest and refuge from tn
city's noise.
We have crossed the bay !; our steamer i
made fast; we run the gauntlet OF hackmen
hote! runners. importunate news boys, AM
find ourselves safe in San Francisco at last.
Dear readers, patient and otherwise, BIZ
you hearty welcome to the ''giorious climat
of California" TRUFAX.