davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
Letter from Mt. Scion.

,!Iessrs. Editors Yirgimian:-The holidays passed
on very quietly and soberly mere. On Christmasand
New Years the village was visited by the
Sangersville Shanghias, an orderly crowd Of some
forty men commanded by Capt. Andrews. But
the most noticeable event was the magnificent
reception given by-Captain ]. H. Todd, on New
Years day, at his new home. Some seventy per-
sons were present. The rich and poor were invi-
ted. and all made to feel at home. will not un-
dertake to describe the good things the table was
Piled with. nor will undertake to describe how
looked. The music was excellent. the dancing
graceful. know it is not In good taste to make
distinctions. but cannot do iustise without say
ing the music by Miss Regina Hamrick the beau
tiful and accomplished daughter OF J.A. Hamrick
was admired by all. Capt. Todd deserves great
credit for his taste in furnishing this splendid
mansion. This house contains sixteen rooms
and has been tastefuly furnished from top to bot
tom. Mechanics have been employed for nearly
one year IL getting the house in thorough repair.
SANTA CLAUS.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

What Virginia wants now is little more
pluck, and less repining, an honest, earnest
purpose on the part OF her childrento push
forward and succeed, and less mourning
over what is past and gone, and that which
ssmighc have been." Hard, honest, untiring
work must be undertaken and accomplished
il we would share in the general prosperity
which the year promises. Whilst we have
been brooding over expressions, imaginary
and real, other States less favored perhaps,
have pressed onward and robbed us of much
that was rightly ours, but which want of eff
fort failed to secure. The sky is bright with
promise now, but the fruit of its ripening
will not fall at our feet-strong hands and
willing hearts, alone will possess it.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

On Saturday last destructive fire broke
out in the Third Avenue Hotel, Huntington,
W. Va, entirely consuming the building,
and four or five others. The extreme sever.
ity of the weather and the frozen condition
Of the water supply rendered it difficult to
operate the fire machinery, and for this rea-
son the fire made rapid and destructive pro-
gress. Among the sufferers by it we notice
the name Of j. w. Boon, formerly of Harri-
sonburg, and son-in.law OF Mr.. J. D. Price,
OF that place.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
Dr. Aralu;llaC, .La.u

DR.. Melville c. Keith, of Liverton, Ne
braska, has arrived at the conclusion that
the eating of Irish Potatoes by children, is
the cause of dptheria. He maintains that
in a practice of seventeen years, and a
knowledge of eleven hundred cases Of Dip
thera, no case has occurred with a person
who did not eat potatoes. His father, an
eminent practitioner in the State of Maine
had arrived at the same conclusion.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
For the VALLEY VIRGINIAN.

For the VALLEY VIRGINIAN.
Sirs The expense of living in Staunton is Alto
gether out OF proportion to the prime cost of pro-
visions and it must bear grievously upon people
OF moderate means or those who labor, at the low
meat, beet. mutton, &C., is sold in our market
at from to l2A cents per pound, while beef and
mutton are selling on the foot for 2s4 to 3 cents
per pound. II the butcher buys his meat at
nett and sells the hinder quarters l31s and the
fore-quarters ct cents q pound, here is profit
OF Ak cents. Now this for three times . week Is
12s4 cents profit on the original six cents invest
ed in the he nett meat: This is weekly profit of
over 200 per cent, or an annual profit OF orer
thousands per cent. Besides this enormous profit
the butcher gets the hide and tallow, or what is
called the fifth quarter.
No rent OF butchers stalls, no expenses. and no
losses in the course OF trade justify such prices
as these. No wages paid in Virginia will enable
people to pay such prices. No wonder there il
want and suffering in Staunton-a large list Of
poor to be looked after by G. Kurtz. The people
must live as we'll as the butchers, and as one Of
the people urge and demand modification OF
the prices of fresh meat.
A HOUsEKEEpER.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

The Supreme Court OF the United States
has decided that the law passed by Congress
prohibiting polygamy in Utah is constitu-
tional. This decision will: create distur-
bance and flutter among the Mormons and
be the cause OF reconstruction of many
families.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

THE BIG SANDY RoAD.-The Lexipe-
ton, ny, transcript has the following -
Major N. FL. Hotchkiss, the affable agent
"f the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and
one OF the popular railroad men in the
South, called to see us to-day. He is here
IN the interest OF his road. lie says there
IS no doubt about the completion of the Big
Sandy from Mt. Sterling. He thinks the
work will begin next Spring. Gen. st.
Johns, the engineer, is now engaged review
ing the old surveys and estimates, in ODE
dience to instructions from Mr.. huntington.
We trust the road will be completed soon,n
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

The exports from all United States ports
for the eleven months ending November 80,
are officially announced as $G95,OS9, l95,
against imports to the amount OF $427 1907,
ss2, or balance in our favor of a2e7 ,79l,.
9rQ fN
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Some weeks ago we made the statement
that notwithstanding the immense accumula-
ton OF coin at the command OF the Secre-
tary of the Treasury with which to resume
specie payment, we did no. believe it
would require as much as $50, 100000 to
meet all the demands which would be made
for the redemption Of legal tender notes.
The experience since the redemption law
went into effect has demonstrated the truth
OF that prediction. Very few seem to want
GOLD, and none silver. Nearly all desire to
handle the greenbacks, as more convenient
for all ordinary business purposes. We
give elsewhere an interesting account of re-
sumption day in New York, the only point
the law fixed for the exchange of cold for
government notes.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
Smooth and Successful.

The New York Herald of the Sd closes an
editorial on the "First Day of Specie Pay
ments" with the following paragraph, ex-
posing Democratic folly ana want of states.
manshp: 70.
The smooth and successful resumption of
specie payments which we now witness fall
sites many confident prophecies and reflects
discredit on the financial judgment of the
Democratic party. In it's last national plat
form it denounced the Resumption act as "a
hindrance to specie payments and de-
manded its repeal. A bill for repeating 1t
was soon after passed by the Democratic
House of Representatives, and the Presi-
Dental canvass of tie party was conducted
with great zeal on that basis. 1t was an odd
position for some men to take that the fix
ing of date for the maturity of a debt was a
hindrance to its payment. 1t was only be-
cause date was fixed that efficient prepar-
atoms were made. If mans note at
bank is to fall due at q specified time he has
a motive to bestIr himself as the time ap-
proaches and meet his engagement. There
was great deal OF eXtravagant inyective
both in the Democratic platform and in Mr..
Tilden's letter of acceptance against the
Republican party for having provided no
means of resumption. But it would have
been absurd and wasteful to accumulate
great stock of gold to lie idle in the Treas
ury years in advance of the time. Instead
of employing the surplus revenue for that
purpose it was used for reducing the public
debt and thereby saving large amount of
interest. Between the passage of the Re
sumption Act and the day fixed for specie
payment there was paid Slf3, $50, 19l of the
government bonds. 1t would have been fol.
" to have converted this sum into gold and
have kept it lying in the Treasury without
interest. When the time came that add.
tiona; gold was needed for resumption pur-
poses it was easily procured by the sale of
bonds in accordance with the law and no
method could have been wiser or more eco
The signal demonstration which we
now witness of the unwisdom and want of |
foresight of the politicians who denounced
The act as hindrance to resumption and |
predicted It's total failure has justly des-
troyed all confidence in their financial judy
nent
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Gov. Holiday has issued writ Of cleo
ton to be held in the First Congressional
District OF Virginia, on the 23d to fill the
vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. B.
B. Douglas. Maj. e. n. Braxton is the only
candidate as yet announced. The term will
be until the 4th OF March-littie more tina n
one month from the day OF election.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

The Governor has designated the 23d Of
January as the day upon which shall be held
the election for member Of Congress to fill
the unexpired term of the late Hon. Bev.
Douglas.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Conkling, it is said, practices every day
with the dumb. bells; but il he wants to be
President he should practice ballot-box-
stuffing and bull doziug.-State.
He would have to join the Democratic par
ty to do that, which 1t would he unnatural
for him to do,
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

1t is stated that Hon. D. w. Voorhees,,
the apostle Of fla. money. has modified his
views very much, since resumption has gone
along SO smoothly. There will be other po-
litical aspirants who will think differently
to whsk they have about the currency in
view OF the successful operation Of the re-
sumption. law.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

The Warren Sentinel learns that Col. j.
Y. Menefee, Of Rappahannock, well known
lawyer. has spinal affection, from which
serious consequences are apprehended. =
Col. Menefce has many friends in the Valley
who will be panied to read this announce.
ment.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

1t has not been forgotten by the people
that during the late Congressional election,
when the subject Of national finance was
discussed, the infationists illustrated the
evils of resumption, and what they call con-
traction, by citing the prosperous condition
of England, France and Germany, and the
depressed condition of America. They as
sumed that those countries had per capita
circulation from $34 to $40; while they as
serted falsely that the circulation of this
country was only about $40 per capita. With
this imaginary estimate the fiatists pro-
ceeded to construct their arguments and draw
their conclusions. They predicted for the
United States unparalleled disasters if the
policy of resumption was contaminated. and
with this condition of affairs they contrasted
the supposed prosperity of other nations. Re-
sumption is fixed fact, and the most cheer
ing promise follows, while England and
Germany are in a worse condition than this
country has ever been since 1878. The re-
sultshows how much the mushroom statesmen
know about finance and cause and effect.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Justice Hunt, Of the Supreme Court of the
United States, was stricken with paralysis
at bis residence in Washington, on last Sat.
urday. He is extremely Ill, with little hope
for his recovery.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Hon. Caleb Gushing, died at his home in
Newburyport, Mass, on the Cd of January,
in the 10Th year Of his age.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Notwithstanding all that has been said
about the part Hon. A. G. Thurman was to
take in the Sth OF January celebration, at
Columbus, Ohio. and what his speech would
contain about finance, &C., he determined
on Monday that he would not attend at all.
The weather and his health is the cause OF
his declension, His health has not been good
for some months, and we presume the as
signed cause is entirely proper. 1t is also
true that Mr.. Thurman occupies very en-
barrassing position on public questions, in
view Of his Presidential aspirations. In fact,
there is no probability Of his nomination by
his party for that office. The accomplished
fact Of resumption, and the eminent success
which has attended the operation of the law
is the political death Of Mr.. Thurman. His
opposition to the National Banks would be
a further element OF weakness, and render
his candidacy mere farce.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

The Montreal vineyard In Nelson county,
shipped 900 gallons Of wine last season to
Marselles, France.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
The Moffett Liquor Law.

AN OFFICIAL EXHIBIT OF ITS OPERATION.
The following was sent to tine House on
Friday:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,l
OFFICE AUDITOR OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS;
RICHMOND, December IS, 1873
Hon. Henry c. Allen, Speaker Of the House of Dele-
gates.
Slr-Ibeg leave to submit the following report
81 the operations Of the ''Moffett'' liquor-law
November last -
:, IN my report to the last General Assembly es-
tlmated tnat the assessment under this law would
feacn me sum OF $5. 1927 against 1862. 1885,
aae toia! tax assessed. against iiquor-dealers IL
censed under the act Of the preceding year The
result has been as follows-to wit:
Specific license s,oo o., !,
Registered sales. aes 5se NJ
eTotal (see annexed table FOR defsiiss 40 az "a
Showing An excess of $21O,6se-
80 over the assessments OF
the preceding year Deduct
ing rebates allowed under
the law as follows: From
May /, 1877, to April 80, 1875,
Speclnc ........................SJ2,7 IA 10
AegisteTs ................. 20,765 40
November l, 1873
tspeeInc)......... 1880 SIS
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

The Lynchburg Gas Company has reduced
the price Of gas from $a to $2.75 per 1000
feet. An example that might be followed
in Staupton.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Rev. r, II. McKim says that it is mis-
take that he has accepted call to church
Ia Columbus. Ohio.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

Dublic Sale of Real Estate.
Il Saw Mill 4 Town Property
In Warren County. sd
Byvirtue OF a decree of the District Court OF
the United States, held at Harrisonbtra. on the
2Sd day OF October, 1873, in the chancery suit OF,
John g. Newman, Assignee of Henry A. Buck
bankrupt. against John ]. Richardson, Henry A .
Buck and Others, 1 shall, on
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25th 1879
in front of the Court House of Warren countr
sell at public auction, the following real estate
and town property:
4 60 ACRES OF LAND
at Milford. in Warren county. upon which there
is q valuable WATER SAW MILL and Other
improvements; 200 ACRES of TIMBER LAND
within about two miles OF Milford. Said proper
" IS now in the possession OF Henry A. Buck: also
one lot in the town Of Front Royal sold by Chas
a. Macatee to John j. Richardson upon which
there is
AN ELEGANT NEW HOUSE
and other improvements.
TERMS OF SALE:-One-fourtho of the purchase.
money cash in hand, and the residue in tHree.
equal payments, at six, twelve and eighteen
months from the day OF sale, with interest irons
SAID date, the purchaser to execute bonds with
good security for the deferred payments, and the
Title to be retained till all the purchase money is
paid. JOHN a. NEWMAN Assianaa' "
ian 9-tds OF Henry A. Buck, banRrupt.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
The tables referred to accompany the rs

In the above Mr.. Taylor does not seem to
have deducted the expenses OF the Moffet t
law or Of the old law. The assessments of
the former exceed the latter by $1lO,7Gl.75
The expense attending the Inauguration
OF the law is put down at $50, l9o.OS.> -
The total amount OF tax collected by the
Registers from the commencement to the
LIST OF November, 1878. is $685., 563, OF which
Augusta county paid 1913; Staunton, 81, Gl3 :;
Highland, sa7; Bath, s7aa Rockingham.
$3,7e0; Rockbridee e. 1920.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

REDUCTION OF CRIMINAL EXPENSES. =
The benefit conferred upon the State by the
revision Of the criminal laws last winter is
graphically told In the following figures.
comparing the months under the old and
NOW, la sxe
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09


IL is hardly necessary to discuss at length
before business men, the discreditable par
simony and false pretensc of economy in
the Democratic Congress. in its legislation
to cripple the mail service. The fact that
one hundred and forty mailing clerks and
agents have to be discharged, and the sala-
ries of seventy others cut down, because
the estimates asked for by the Department
we're not allowed, thus necessarily Gripping
the efficiency OF the service to that extent.
is comment enough. Especially so, when
ir is remembered that there is not one OF
these agents who is not necessary to the
prompt aud accurate distribution Of the
mails. We cannot state how many thous.
snds of dollars have been absorbed in foolish
and nonsensical investigations, by the acts OF
this reform Congress, while the most impor-
tant service in the Governments service that
comes home directly to the business of every
community-is partially destroyed under
the plea OF economy. There will be no
small amount of thunder rafting around
the ears OF these miserable demagogues when
the people fully realize the effects of sheir
discreditable and dishonorable legislation.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

There has been daily increase in popu-
lar distress ia Great Britain, during the past
week. On Friday at Manchester there were
5000 applications from heads OF families,
representing 900 persons, to the relief
committee, and on Saturday 1000 fresh ap-
plications. During the week 1900 families
have been relieved in Northampton. A
considerable increase of distress is also re-
corded from Sheffield. Notwithstanding
this condition of affairs, in a great degree
growing out OF strikes and the suspension
Of industries, great difficulties are reported
in manufacturing districts, and more suspen-
sions are imminent. The people of the
United States cannot but feel q deep concern
In the disordered and disturbed condition of
England, even as it affects business. Our
surplus products find a market there, last
year amounting to 5000, 100000. The con-
Of the present condition of things
will lessen their capacity to purchase, and
we must therefore suffer to greater or less
degree,
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

VTNrout's Admir- ct nj. VS.. Trout's widow
i and helrss-In pursuance Of q decree of
the Circuit Court OF Augusta county. entered De-
cember 9Th, 1873. in this cause shall proceed at
my office. in Staunton. on
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22d, 1879.
to take further account OF the debts and liabili-
ties OF the estate Of N X. Trout, decd. I'd To
make further settlement of the accounts Of n.
N. McIlhany. Adm'r OF N. K. Trout, decd, 3rd.
To settle the accounts of said McIihany, as Com
missioner to sell the real estate in this cause {;
also an account Of the real and personal fund
in this cause, &c.
jan at JOS. A. WADDELL, Com.
Ctbbs ". steele and NJ. and John steele
VI VI. steele and Al.-In pursuance of q
decree entered December 4, 1877, in these causes,
shall proceed. at my ofice, in staunton. on
MONDAY, FEBRUARY Sd, 1879,
to take an account. modifying the former report
In this cause - required by said decree; also to
consider the exceptions OF Samuel H.. Steele to
said report and to settle the accounts of Thcs W.
Shelton. trustee Of John n. Steele. to report the
condition OF the trust fund, whether In the hands
OF the trustee or Samuel n. steele, how secured.
&C.. &c. JOS. a. WADDELL Ccnl'rs
IAN t-4W
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09
Auditors Report.

CONDITION OF THE STATE FINANCES.
The annual report OF the Auditor OF Public Act
counts was laid before the General Assembly on
Saturday last.
The most important subjects discussed are en-
braced in the following extracts
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
OFFICE OF AUDITOR PUBLIC ACCOUNTS,
RICHMOND, November 4, 1873.
To tie General Assembly Of Tirginia.
have the honor to submit my an nual repor
Cor the fiscal year ending September 30, 1879
RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.
Balance on hand Octo. i, ls77.......... 1928 %
Total amount received during the
1920 1879 81
Total. sS,O27,379 30
Total amount of disbursements dur
ing the same period. 1885,. OG7 90
Balance on hand Octo. l, 1873, as per
books OF this Office. ................. $3O,S2O 81
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-09

brokers lawyers and doctors dentists and
phographers land, house and labor agents
boarding houses even stations and jacks
all must pay tribute. These are but spec
linens OF the objects of taxation which stu
pid ingenuity has selected. In addition, OF
course, are licenses for liquor and tobacco
dealers, for auctioneers, and for all amuse-
ments. Nothing is too great, nothing too
small for Virginia taxation. There Is, how
ever, only very light tax on real and per-
sonal property
We think the Times will change its opin-
ion as to the Every light tax on real and
personal property when it considers the
manner, as We have stated it, in which this
kind of property is assessed.
1t will be well enough for the representa-
tives of the State, in any conference that
may be had with the creditors. to expose to
them the true condition of Virginia, the bur-
dens the people have borne, and are still
under, and present the real facts
for their consideration upon which they
should estimate the ability OF the Common
wealth to pay. No people have more brave
y and honorably struggled against ADVERSE
", andiit is the basest Of ISLANDERS to impli.
ate them in the charge Of disposition to
epudiate Or evade anything they are able
O meet. The debt is practical question,
o be considered and determined as Rll other
BUSINESS interests are considered, and not
natter for rosy sentimentalism and maudlin
to deal with. With proper
resentation OF the facts as they are, we
annot doubt the creditors would accept
uci, terms las we believe the Legislature
ught to olfer. based upon equity and right, |
nd involving no phase OF reputation or
vasion, as ir applies to the original debt.
he conditions, however, embraced in Gov. |