The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-09-04

What interest have Longdale and the
Firmstones i'll building up Virginia
They are no Virginians they come down
here and make their money and go up to
New York and spend indicators re-
port of Tucker speech.
We have noticed this slap in the face to
the Firmstones in the VIRGINIAN before.
But it is prolific text and evidences what
Ma fuckers notions are about hhilding
MP Virginia. The Firmstones have IN
vested $3.50, 900 in their Longdale property.
Before they purchased tit was q barren
waste, representing no active value and OF
no benefit either to the people of that To-
cality or the State. There are now emf
ployed by the Firmstones at Longdale
from 450 to 600 hands. The monthly pay
ments average $4,000. They have paid
out since the date Of purchase $1,500,000,
$3.50, 600 for wages alone, every dollar OF
which was expended in Virginia. Since
1870 the Longdale Company has expended
in Rockbridge and Augusta counties for
feed and flour over 100000, One miller
has been paid $4,000 for flour only, while
large quantities have been purchase from
other mills.
The remark Of Mr.. Tucker, as reported
by our Democratic cotemporary- the V5lo-
dictator, applies with equal significance and
force to every industry along the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad. 1t hits Low
moor, and Callie, and Cook s, and Victoria,
and every other iron and coal enterprise
located IN Virginia and West Virginia,
and it hits Staunton. The business Gre
ated by the investments Of such men as
the Firmstones in the coal and iron dis
tricts of the Virginias, along the line OF
the G. and 0. Railway, contributes largely
to the prosperity of this place. Staunton
is one Of their principal markets. Their
deposits are kept in the Staunton banks
Our wholesale and retail groceTS and drug
gists, hardware men and tradesmen OF
all classes, receive the benefits OF their OPP
erations. The business of Stanton is
stimulated j: buildings erected, mechanics
employed laborers paid. and every branch
of trade made to share in the results.
Apart from the unfortunate remark Of
Mr.. Tucker the policy he advocates, II
practically enforced, would operate q posi-
tive disaster not only to the industries we
have cited. but to the business of Staun-
ton. AS Hon. VIM. Mines, Of Page
county, q recognized, able and influential
Democrat, told his employees q few weeks
ago, q vote for the Democratic party IS q
vote to close my furnace and cut off
your means Of support. SO a vote for Mr.
Tucker, in the light of his known views
about revenue reform, would be q vote
to close every iron and coke furnace in the
two Virginias. That it is SO regarded by
the men who have invested large amounts
of money in the iron business is evidenced
by the course OF the proprietors OF Veto
ria Furnace, at Goshen, one OF the largest
III the United States, and when, i'll active
operation giving employment at the mines
and the various departments connected
with it to from 500 to / 900 men. The fur-
mace had blown out for repairs. The
Morrison bill was under consideration
in Congress and the order was given
to do nothing until its fate was Known
When the telegraph flashed the news that
the bill had been practically defeated, by
voting to strike out the enacting clause,
the order came from the English proprletors
to resume work and complete the repairs
for active operations. The majority against
it was only four. but MI. Tucker was not
one of them. He voted practically for the
bill, although its adoption would have
stopped one of the most important enter
prises in his own county, and closed fur
.nace that gives employment to not less than
800 Of his constituents.
There is not a capitalist OF laborer q ong
the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio rail
road, engaged in developing and utilizing
the vast material resources OF the two
Virginias, who is not watching with the
deepest anxiety, if not with trembling and
fear, the progress Of this canyass, aFld
looking with the keenest solcitude to the
November result. 1t involves to them, as
well as to the country at large, the gravest
interests, for upon the determination then
reached by the American people will hinge
the question, whether we are to have an
American policy, to buld up American
factories and encourage American la
Dor, or an English policy to foster
foreign manufactures and foreign Ia
Dor. It will come, however, with tie
force ofstangible, living fact, to the people
and business Of Staunton, Of Augusta
county, and every county in the Tenth Dis
Srict and the entire State, and nave a last
ing effect upon their progress and prosper
ity either for veal or woe. 1t is an issue
and a result that the people cannot regard
with indifference. It rises above the mere
forms of party association. and appeals to
them as citizens of q great Commonwealth
struggling to reach to higher development,
and avail Of the wonderful advantages be-
slowed by Nature. If they are true to
themselves, their State and country, they
will afford MI. Tucker no more opportu-
nifty, in representative capacity, to repel
the advances of those who would help us,
and apply the agencies which alone can lift
Virginia out of her depressed and laggard
condition.
An Important Decision.
On Tuesday last. Judge R. w. Hughes,
of the u. S. District Court for the Yves
tom District Of Virginia delivered an