The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-23
The Failure Of John. Roach.

=
John Roach, the great American ship
builder, whose yards were at Chester, Pa,
made an assignment on Friday last. The
disaster was precipitated by the recent de- !
cision of the government in regard to the
Dolphin. In the trust deed Mr.. Roach
provided that every copper due his en-
ployees should be paid at once-all that he
owed them being for the weeks work. 1t
is understood that none of his creditors
will eventually lose.
The failure reaches almost to the pro-
portions of national disaster. BY it
TWENTY-FIVE hundred workmen, drawing
$50 900 per week, and representing pop
ulation of -, 500 souls. have been thrown
out of work at time when there is no
possible chance for other employment
Not only this, hut American shipbuilding
has received serious if not fatal blow.
The only man who had the courage and
the means to dot the waters with ships
made by well-paid workmen has been
forced to the wall and the Roadway made
against European competition must be
surrendered.
Whatever may be said of John Roach,
he is noble hearted, generous man one
who loves the name of America, and
whose pride it was to elevate American
labor and American products. His pros
|perity was shared with those who helped
to make it and the $500 men he employed
and those dependent on them, will serl-
ously feel his misfortunes.
He had known all the struggles of the
poor. With nothing but his brawny arm,
big brain and Irish heart. he had COM
menced his course, and at every stage OF
his progress he held out a helping hand to
others.
Whilst England and other European
Nations are voting subsidies to their ship
ping interests, and Germany is paying ex-
ira prices to sustain the great Krupp can
non factory, thereby encouraging private
| industry and giving profitable employment
TO home mechanics. this great civil service
administration is using its power to crush
out the only hope we have of building up
national shipping interest. The Dolphin
was condemned before it's keel was laid.
, The Democrats dared not openly oppose the
plan Of the new navy which had become
so popular, and so in order to shield them
selves. they began the cry that the money
appropriated for the new ships would not
: be honestly spent. When they came into
power, in order to make their prediction
J good, they awaited of a mere technically
: to crush out the American workman and
, advance another step in their free-trade
: scheme. The Dolphin was built under
/ the immediate supervision of the advi
! sorry board, land after it had been completed
g and impartial, disinterested men declared
I it an excellent vessel, the new Secretary
/. of the Navy condemns the work and
the new Attorney General approves his
' action.
+ When the Democratic party has traus
, ferred every productive industry to Eng
lamp, and sent our mechanics out to work
as day-laborers in the soil, it will probably
be satisfied. They are willing to condemn
= everything American, and along with II
the American workman, unless he is con
tent to live on pauper wages.
> He GoT HIS REwARD.-Th other day {
mechanic in a neighboring town accostei
another gentleman with the remark
when do we hold our State Conven-
: ton 20
The gentleman replied. (which conven
: tion do you mean 20
1.-The Democratic
''That will be held on the Doth of July
: the Republican Convention was held OF
9 the 18TH"
y Eyes" said the mechanic, II am a
i Democrat. | have worked for the party
a in season and out, and spent for it all the
/, money / could spare. And now after
n twenty years l am reaping the frnits OF
q my labor. I have gotten my reward"
"a good fat office, 1 suppose 20
, mot much" answered the mechanic
, ''the Offices go to those who never did any
G thing for the party or themselves. My re-
I ward has been that I haven't had day Is
o work for two months and don't know
where the next barrel of flour is to come
, from. What makes it worse is to think
that | was fool enough to cut my OWL
|