Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-05-17
Letter from Mt. Sidney.
Regular Correspondence

MESSRS. EDITORS DAY by day our
town improves; here and there can
be seen the effect of vim and enter
prise, but it does not extend to as
great an extent as we desire. nor does it
heighten the beauty or advance the
value of our place as we would wish.
There is no better location for business
center than here, surrounded as 1t is
with Independent farmers and prolific
soil.
Every day some portion of the latent |
wealth which underlies the great Val |
ley of Virginia is being discovered, ex-
humed and utilized; towns, as large as |
this, spring up as if in nighttime,
grow and flourish until they become a
place of note, and why cannot the same
be effected here as well, the same re
suits follow the same we'll directed eff
forts; hence, all that is needed, and the
only thin that Is wanted, to make this
town a popular business center is EN-
ERGY. We admit that before the con-
struction of the railroad at least three
times the amount of business was done
here; but, upon the other hand, all
must ack nowledge that the facilities for
the conducting of the trade were not so
rapid and numerous as they are now.
Que essential feature which presents it.
self as important in the growth and
maintenance of the town, is the abso-
Lutte necessity of having house of pri-
vate entertainment, where travellers can
depend upon being entertained, and not
when they rap at the door be trembling
in doubt as TO whether or not they will
be admitted, and if refused, as in nu-
merOus cases heretofore, must seek 9th.
er quarters in some other place. The
next necessary move ia that some one
keep horse and buggy to accommo-
date the travelling public; that this
should be done is proven almost every
day, for scarcely train arrives at our
depot, but that some get off and
wish to be taken to the home of their
friends. There being no certainty OF
hiring conveyance, and ten chances
against one if they can, they must 60 it
alone. indulging in the unsentimentsl
mode of tramping the dusty roads. We
certainly hope that those who are well
able to do so will Immediately set to
work aud establish the two branches 10
which we have referred.
County Roads is now generally
understood that commissioner will be
appointed in few days to assess the
value of the land to be appropriated to
the widening of the now private road
from the Valley pike to what is known
as "Craig's shop" four miles east of
this place The road is to be twenty
feet in width, and put in an excellent
condition. This is certainly very
1judicious movement, and one which is
much needed by the people living at
and beyond the terminus. For many
years trey have had only the narrow,
and in the winter time most miserable,
road to reach this place to get on the
pike to Staunton. The road begins at
the north end of town, just below
the blacksnlits shop, passes the depot.
and extends TO the place mentioned
some oil the 5est farms in the neighbor-
hood. but then the farmers are willing
to assent to that in order to get good
outlet. which can be travelled at all sea.
Sous OF the year with perfect ease.
Progressive In order that colored
free school might be established here, it
was necessary that Trustees for the
town be elected, which was done on
last Saturday evening at 5 o'clock. The
object OF the meeting being duly eX
planned, the following gentlemen were
chosen TO fiji that responsible position !:
DR.. VIM. Bell, s H and ]. w. Watson.
This is one of The most commendable
acts upon the part of our citizens that
we have ever had the pleasure to record.
Now that the initiatory step has been
taken, we trust that the good work will
not cease until our town is incorporated.
and thus improve its appearance and
free the streets of stock.
Religious and person0l.-The second
quarterly meeting for this circuit will
be held here the 4th add 9Th proximo.
DIR. J. S. Martin is expected to be pre-
sent.
We acknowledge the receipt of an in
vitation to attend the Commencement
exercises" of the nSelect Female Board
ing School at New Market, Va, Mon
day and Tuesday evenings, May 23rd
and oath.
We are pleased to see the Rev. A. G.
Gearhart upon the street again, after a
painful optical affection.
N0tes.-Our thanks are due for an in
vitation to banquet at Blacksburg,
Va.
AS general thing our town is quiet
and peaceful, equal to the harmony
existing among the inhabitants of heav-
en- !; then occasionally there is enough
gossip, pickering and chatter to remind
one of the other place.
It does appear to US that those who
keep stock and turn them upon the
streets to annoy their neighbors are
devoid of respect for them, blind to the
polluted and offensive condition of our
town, and almost destitute of moral de.
cency.
If some people have time on resurrec-
ton morning to read the heaven born
Inscriptions on their tombstones, the
comparison between the stern reality
and the cheering prediction of the cpl.
taphs will petrify them.
Summer is asserting its presence with
2 vengeance.
Shady places are in demand.
Colors and cuffs wilt delightfully."- this
weather.
There is country hotter than this.
p. A. r.
THE READJUsTER MALONE PARTY
Already in the Malone party can be
seen the signs of dissolution. The Re
adjuster mass meetings that have en-
dorsed him were small, and still are
growing beautifully less" Nothing is
left of the party's body save the skele-
ton. The flesh and sinews have fallen
away, and only the bones remain grin
ming in their nakedness and CHASTITY
horror. In vain the leaders spread
over it nantes labeled Independence"
"Manliness, !" "a priceless ballot" and
q 'sfair count" Seemingly, these words
are bitter mockeries, and are uttered
but In irony, since the Grand Mogul
himself has been bought with price"
and even now is trying to divide the
spoiIs among his confederates, reserving
for himself the lions share.
The leaders Of the party must blame |
themselves for this detection, for they
have made Malone the Alpha and |
Omega of the Readjuster organization.
Instead of raising their old watchword |
of Readjustment, they have substituted |
the name of .'Mahone," and if any enc
dares to object to his leadership, he il at
once denounced and read out of the
party. How can any movement ex
beet success with q traitor at its head
The good men and true that have
formerly followed him are now leaving
as rats desert sinking ship. He can
not take them over to the Radicals