The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-01
Our Richmond Letter.
PrcuMoNn ". AMI, 30.


RICHMOND, VA, April 10th, 70.
The Valley excursionsts who came down
to this city last week from your regions made
favorable impression upon us. They are
of that solid sort which shows good living,
honest purpose and hard work, and l am
sure no better,people ever see his.quiet ole
city. do not think their purchases were
heavy but their good cheer is yet as sweet
aroma on the commercial air.
1t IS reported that the president OF one OF
our railways is soon to lead to the altar a
handsome widow. of this city. On this call
the bridegroom will have been three times
married.
party of artists and correspondents of
Northern newspapers passed thro' Richmond
to Georgia last week where amidst the SOUTH
ern mountains of long Blue Ridge Range
they will write up and sketch up that almost
isothermal region in which are the Toccoa
and Tallalah Falls. The results of their
pleasing labors will be summed up and Cir
cuated liz guide book for travellers and in
valids.
The Wing and Dispatch are sowing few
spring seed of discord which will require
warmer sun than our latitude affords to
force into germ. I once heard man say
that talk was cheap but that It required
money to buy bread. While this remark IS
rather OF the order of Billingsism vet there
is truth in it.
The prospect of the tobacconists going to
work this week has enlivened the hopes of
the people to some extent, yet the brokers
and real estate agents seek money with their
wanted fervor at heavy per cent. to accom-
mocate the poor who can't make enough to
finish paying for his or her house. Rchmot d
is full OF these modern shy locks whose names
are recorded. The most pious apparently
OF our richer people are reaping the benefit
OF this system of half-concealed usury.
There is a perfect spider-web of Bell tele-
phone wire weaving throughout the CITY
and wrapping US in parcel of human takers
for the mutual advantage of those who do
not like to walk. 1t must be source of con-
graduation to Mr.. Mofett that one can't
''see man" thro' this instrumentality. If it
were so no bells would be ringing ever more
announcing the general decline of the debt.
1t is not probable that the Governor will
return to Richmond for some time.
No Register of the Land Office has been
appointed. Gen. Terry, of Bedford, is
candidate for appointment, and Maj. P. A.
Wexford has been recommended by some of
his friends. Richmond has so few of her
citizens in the Capitol offices that it would
be but just to give this to her, and Major w.
is probably the best man for it, being no
politician, nor does he know chat his name
was ever suggested to the Governor. The
cllques and rings about the old Capitol and
the amount OF whiskey thasshas been acost-
ed Whereabouts should induce some power to
step carefully in new appointments
A visit to the Penitentiary this week
forces me to commend the management of
the Institution as one that has an eve to the
cleanliness and beauty of its arrangements
as far as possible under the laws. The CT n
vlcts look happy, are obedient to prison dis
cpline, comfortably clothed and well victual-
ed for eight cents per capita. What a mis-
fortune that the prison is not in the vicinity
of your rich country, not because your peo-
pie are more deserving of the benefit of its
location than others, but for the good, fresh
air, and that abundance of room which is
so scarce here.
The city Aims House, too, attracted my
attention as being admirably kept. Two de-
partments, white and colored, are under one
head and they are cared for as if all were
the same color. In connection with this in
sttution, the Superintendent, C. P. Bigger,
has a Labor Exchange" thro' which he
furnishes laberers and other help to persons
in the country, and secures places for the
poor who cannot find work at home. If
Soou COOK, LOT instance, is wanted IN Staun-
ton, application to him for such will secure
one if he has one on his register who he
thinks will suit. There is nc cost attending
the service except to the employed who pays
postage when application is made for help.
The railroads have given him low rates of
fare. 1t is to the Superintendent check
against increase of charity expenses, for if
he can give those asking assistance a place
IN which they can make living the benefit
is mutual. 1t is good thing.