The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-04-28
Make the Move.

Make the Move.
During the early part of the month of June, |
there will be among us number OF represent |
atives of the largest and wealthiest iron and |
steel manufactures in America. The meeting |
of the American Institute of Mining Engi-
neers, which convenes here on the 30th of
May, will bring to Staunton some of the most |
distinguished engineers and iron men of this
day. They will remain perhaps week or
more. During that time they will make ex-
cursions over the various lines of railway in
the vicinity of Stanton They will have op-
portunities of judging to what extent the re-
sources of the section surrounding can be util
lied. They will be able to determine the
quantity and quality of the ores which under
lie the surface of the mountain ranges, and the
practicability of their development. The IA
cllities, present and prospective, which are af-
forded for transportation, and the fertility of
the agricultural country encircling, will be
brought to their attention. The mastery sit
uation occupied by Staunton cannot fail to be
prominently observed. In the very heart of
vast mineral deposits; with splendid facilities,
over competing lines, for reaching the market;
in the midst of a rich and productive agncul-
tural country, thus assuring cheap living for
operatives; possessing fine public schools and
social advantages unsurpassed, it would seem
that all the conditions here concentre to
make our little city the seat of extensive iron
industries. That this is not an overdrawn pic
ture all who have given the subject thought will
admit. Hthese advantages are permitted to re-
main unutilized, they will be standing monu-
ment to the folly and want of enterprise of our
own people. nthose who are familiar with them
make no effort to turn them to practical account
and thereby reap material benefit, it cannot be
expected that strangers will come among us
and grasp the situation at glance. Faith is
best exemplifed by works. We may preach
until doomsday of our natural gifts, and it
would not have one-tenth the effect of single
practical, united effort. Strangers can very
well say, "these people are always talking of
the richness of their ore beds, the excellence
of their water power and the readiness with
which these elements of wealth could be con-
verted into values, but the queer part of it is
that they are unwilling to put their own
money where they SO cordially invite others to
invest 1t cannot be that they are too poor.
All around them are the signs of prosperity.
They have fine business houses, elegant pri-
vate residences, hundreds of thousands of dol
lars in banking institutions, and money in
abundance for all other purposes. They have
the reputation of being shrewd, business men,
and the evidences manifest confirm the gen
eral rumor. We cannot understand why they
are 80 anxious that strangers should reap the
golden harvest which they assure us awaits
the reaper" That is about the way locker
on would view the subject, and it is reasonable
that he should do so. Now how can this con-
dition of affairs be remedied? The answer is
simple Let our own people show their faith
by their works. An opportunity is presented
now, that may never be repeated. In few
weeks, as stated above, some of the most emil
nent practical iron men in the Union will be
among us. They can command capital to al
most any amount. They are skilled, expe-
rienced and will readily understand the advan-
tages afforded by this section for manufactures.
Before they reach here let movement be set
on foot for the establishment of rolling mill
at Staunton, with capital of $500,0 900. Let
our own people subscribe for at least 800 900
of stock, and show that they are in earnest.
When these visitors have explored the mineral
regions contiguous, and are assured that enter
prise and capital are all that is needed to
transform them into active values, let the ef
fort being made by our own people be proper
ly presented to them, and we believe that no
difficulty will be experienced in securing the
desired amount. This would not be an I'M
tried experiment 1t has been but a few weeks
since cotton factory was started in Georgia
upon precisely this plan. About one-fourth
of the stock was subscribed at home, and an
agent went north and in two or three days
succeeded in getting as many hundred thou
sand dollars. In that case Northern capital
lists relied solely upon the representations of
those in whom they had confidence. In our
case personal observation will be made, and
the data upon which We rely will be fully I'M
derstood from practical examination. By this
means it could be shown that those who invest
their money among us have our hearty SYM
pathy and cooperation. Interests will be
common, and the stranger will feel that he is
in the house of his friends. Let the move
ment be started at once SO that it will be ripe
for consummation when the time comes. Not
q day should be lost. The plan is practical
1t has succeeded elsewhere. There is no rea-
son why it should not succeed here.