National Republican., 1881-08-18
STARTING A PAPER.
The Troubles oran Editor nj Fails Church
-Remnrknbie Hospitality.


The Troubles OF an Editor nj rails Church
Remarkable Hospitality.
To the Editor Of THE REPuBLToAS;
Mr.. ID. Turner, of Washington, has issued cir
culars TO the effect that he proposes establishing
paper at Falls Church-tho Fairfax County Tunes.
Its principal object is TO encourage the free bridge
across the Potomac.-REPuBLICAN
sincerely regret that the above notice
appeared in TIE REPUBLICAN, and the Alexandria
Gazette, for II calls for an explanation why the
proposed publication at Falls Church has been
abandoned, as far as am concerned For several
years past have frequently been invited to go to
Falls Church to start paper, and the inducements
were certainly encouraging. Fairfax County has
population OF over sixteen thousand. an increase
OF nearly thirty per cent since 1870. Falls Church
has population Of seven hundred within It's
corporated limits, aud in other respects is charm
ing rural village. Iftherc is one thing needed to
bring before the public tho advantages Of com
munity, and one that win interest persous looking
for q country home II Is reliable newspaper con.
tanning Advertisements and editorial notices Of the
property for sale in the immediate vicinity TAX
ing this view ofthe case, and after so many press
ing invitations to visit Falls Church, decided to
go and help the good people to build up their town
and county, expecting II
DID NOT SUCCEED
in starting paper would at least receive the
hospitality and attention usually extended to a
respectable looking stranger on respectable
mission. Well, l notified about dozen Of the
most prominent citizens Of Falls Church that on
Monday, the ist OF August, would bo on hnnd to
talk over the matter and mako the nocess-
sary arrangements, and invited all inter
ested to meet at half past seven the post Office
On this occasion was invited to dine, but having
eaten hearty dinner an hour previous, declined
the Offer As the hour arrived for consultation
was gratifed TO see so many OF the first men Of
the place on hand. l was introduced to two
mayors, several members OF the council and
others. It certainly looked business like but 1
was soon informed that 1t was not the newspaper
enterprise that had called SO many together, but
meeting of the council to elect corporation OFF,
GERS; that
QUESTION or GREAT ECONOMY
was the question at stakc-the question whether
the clerk Of tho board should receive $50 si2 per
annum for his services forkeeping the records and
books Of the corporation This was the only issue
discussed outside by the lobby members What
was done inside of the council chamber am I'M
able to say This know, the newspaper was.not
mentioned. II was about past ten when the
council adjourned, and one after another OF the
citizens left for their commodious and happy
homes, until the number was reduced to two,
and one Of two was the gentleman who had
so frequently urged me to establish a newspaper
IN his village, and he soon abruptly leit,
saying that he was orry that he could not invite
me to his home TO Sleep that a guest--a Mr.. Sd,
from Washington--would occupy the only spare
room and bed. Now, this same gentleman has one
Of the largest houses in that village, which about
three years ago was leased and advertised as q
"summer retreat" with fine rooms and accommo-
dations for twenty to twenty-five guests Yet he
could not find corner or O lounge TO put the man
he had often invited. but left him in the street
at eleven o'clock at night TO seek among strangers
place to lodge. As there was hotel In the vii
lage Twas compelled to resort to private dwellings
for a bed, or, tramp-like. resort to shed or
A BARN FOR A SHELTER.
The next morning was advised by the mayor
and others TO publish prospectus, stating the OBJ
iect OF the paper, terms, &c. which did, and sent
about one hunded TO bo circulated in Falls
church and other sections Of the county. The
circulars gave entire satisfaction. 90 ! was In
,ormed. l also gave notice that on the evening
of the 10th would again visit the place and en-
deavor to complete the newspaper matter. The
second visit ecipsed the first for meanness and
hoggishncss on the part ofthat people. Unfortu-
naely, left Washington at an early hour, and had
eaten nothing since breakfast, and the stomach
felt exceedingly empty. TWAS generally known
that was in the village and what my mission
was, yet not single person in that corporation of
seven hundred inhabitants offered me n morsel to
eat and the only nourishment that partook Of for
twenty four hours was
AN APPLE AND FORTY DRors-PARRGoRIcl
The proposed meeting was total failure. Out OF
hand but thrce put In an appearance. Waiting
till after ten o'clock, this august body of three ad
journed sine die. Again at eleven O'Clock ! was
lcft IN the street alone without place TO sleep,
hungry nndthlrsty MS an Andcrsonville prisoner. /
succeeded at last in finding house where travellers
are accommodated with meals and lodgings. Here
was admitted and given hall bed room. seven
by nine II contained a small bed with mat
tress as hard MS Pharaoh's heart, one chair, two
old slippers. pair Of old pants, u bureau, but
minus washstand, towel and other toilet arti.
cles. For these indifferent accommodations and
an indifferent breakfast was charged the modest
sum OF 81. After breakfast / took five minutes for
reflection, and then decided II any other town In
Fairfax County wanted q newspaper ! was open
for proposals; but, as for Falls Church,
THE SOONER GOT OUTSIDE
OF Its corporated limits tho better In a religious
social, or financial view. Besides suffering the
torture Of hunger and wandering like vagabond
in the streets, seeking shelter, was already out
ofpocket $50 for car fare, circulars aud boarding
house bill. am informed that Falls Church has
nine churches but not free school house or
town hall. The public school Is located in the
basement Of one Of the churches. With nll thell
display of piety their boased morality their liter
ary accomplishments there are other essential
qualifications the leading men of the town seem
to lack, and one is hospitality and common civil.
ity toward strangers andl invited guests repeat
went there as an invited guest went there to
establish an organ that would be devoted exclu
siyely to encourage immigration advocate free
bridge over the Potomac and more liberal rail
road facilities, aud in many other ways work fo
ths ipiaTeSt OF Falls Church and Fairfax County
And how was ] recevod2 Had gone there TO
the purpose Of opening In their midst a whisky o
gambling saloon / could not have been treatct
more disrespectfnlly or more ungenerously. TAX.
ing the above facts (which are true as Holy WriD
will leave It for discriminating public TO de
eide II lam not justified in saying that more
soulless inhospitable, and penurious class OF mer
cannot be found in any civilized or uncivilized
community-not even among the Holicntots.
D. TURNER.
P.s.-None OF the above charges Of neglect viii
apply to Dr. Lloyd. But for the kind hearted
Doctor on the night Of my first visit the stree
would have been my lodging quarters.
A coIOred sennce.
A correspondent of the Boston Herald
who is enjoying himself among the spiritualists Al
Lake Pleasant narfates the following nartinula n