The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-01-06
A Word About staunton.

A Word About Staunton.
In the lull of politics, while the popular
mind is in normal condition and prepared
10 receive and consider. practical facts, it is
opportune to again call attention to the adj
vantages of Staunton as manufacturing
centre. We have done this before and re-
ceived many favorable sentimental re-
sponsee to our suggestions. Bnt there it |
stopped, with no organized tangible effort
nut forth to give shape and form to what
has been recommended. Scarcely bust
ness man from the North or West visits
Stanton that he is not surprised at the
absence of manufacturing industries. Lo-
Gated in rich and fertile section of the
State, with an affiuent soil; untold mineral
wealth all around; and railroad commune
cation with every portion OF the Union; and
vet there is not an article scarcely that we
consume or piece of machinery we use,
that we do not import from other States
We have several machine shops, where saw
mills and boilers are put up; the head
quarters of several patterns OF plows: sew
eral sash and blind and furniture establish
ments. and a wagon and spoke factory.
These constitute principally all that we can
boast in the manufacturing line; and their
capacity is quite limited. The deposit line
of our banks shows that we ought to do bet
ter than this. There is an amount of sur
plus capital in our midst. which, if CON-
bined. and directed by a well organized
company of business men, would be ample
for almost any industrial enterprise-at
least to give it healthy start, and thus
form the nucleus of industries, which in
the course of time would grow into impor-
tance and remunerative operation.
There are now on the line Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad as many as six
iron furnaces i'm active operation and one
in process of construction. These six fur
naces turn out daily about 225 tons of iron.
There are 300 or 400 coke ovens, and a
number beside these, being constructed =
There are coal deposits enough to run the
machinery of the whole country. and
openings ample for all the uses that trans
We have railroad passing through the
State from east to west, and connecting
with the markets of the trans-Ohio and the
South and Southwest, connecting Staunton
directly with these mineral industries We
have another railroad running north and
south, reaching the markets OF the east
and destined to penetrate to the system OF
railroads in the South in short time
Staunton is thus located in the centre of a
rich agricultural region, with coal or iron
within easy reach, to be supplemented, in
the near future, by other similar enter
prises; the point of railroad competition.
and by reason Of this, competition in
freights; and with every accommodation
and advantage that could be desired in
schools, churches, society, and the attrac-
lions of refined and cultivated people.
With these advantages, what, but the alb
sence of the right kind of enterprise, is to
prevent Staunton from becoming manu-
featuring centre? It is point for rolling
mill, for the raw iron and fuel are at our
doors. to be followed by nail and horse
shoe factories. for we have the market at
home for the consumption OF all that could
be turned out; agricultural implements. man.
ufactured in Staunton, could be sold as last
asmade and taken from the shops. There is
not single reason why such industries
should not be commenced here in the early
spring. Since the furnaces we have named
have gone into blast, there is no legitimate
excuse that can be urged why rolling mill
and nail and horse shoe factories should not
be at once inaugurated.
We call attention to this subject at
this time. so chat it may receive thought
from the live men OF the city. Every pur-
suit and employment would be greatly ben
Gifted. The farmer would find market
established right at his door. The mer
chant would have his cash custom multi
piled; and all classes OF business be in like
degree encouraged and prospered. The
wealth dug out of the soil, and which now
goes to enrich other communiti les. would
remain at home. creating new values as it
would serve as medium of exchange be-
tween diversified industries; enterprises of
every description prosper employment be
given to willing labor which is now idle; our
population be increased; real state come in
demand; all Industrial pursuits stimulated
and in fact, everything that goes to build
up in substantial wealth and intelligence a
community, would flow naturally and unfal-
ingly from the Inauguration of a system OF
manufacturing enterprises in Staunton, such
as we have suggested.
It is hard to move people out of the
old ruts into which they have been glued
by habit for generations past know But
we have entered upon new dispensation.
The whole world around us is moving, and
we cannot afford to be laggards in this STIR
ring, progressive era. when the energy, sa-
gacity and means of others are reaching
out to our inviting fields. 1t is noticeable
fact that the railroads now being construct
ed through the richest mineral and agricul-
tural portions Of Virginia the furnaces
which have been established, and those in
contemplation; and the coking establish
ments-with the exception of the Fire
Creek Company-are all the products OF
Northern capital and enterprise. 1t is not
because our people have not naturally as
much sense and enterprise as Others that
they are not more active in such undeItak-
ings, but because they have been educated
IN different methods and under different
auspices, and will have to 60 through an
other training and apprenticeship to under
stand and appreciate the agencies .neces-
sary to utilize them. They must cease
whining over the past and craving after its
feshpots, address themselves to new chan
nels of thought and effort, and catching
inspiration from the progressive methods
which are moving the commercial and mate
rial forces of the nation, go forward to en-
brace the spledid opportunities which are
upon them. Virginia has the natural re-
sources to make her an empire in wealth
and population. Her vast natural capaci-
ties and advantages are only beginning to