Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-06-17
$tauntotl Spectator,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE IL, 1885.
THE FUTURE.

AZ buo IucoIlAS VI tAO uhoAoAdAoo duu
Manufacturers Association last Monday
night reports were submitted by several
committees which have been at work upon
questions of interest to this city and the
country in trade associations with it. The
published proceedings in this issue of the
SPECTATOR will inform the reader of the
subjects under discussion. The progress
of the Association in one feature of its
aims; that which will suggest ways and
means for enlarged and stable progress
is deemed by some slow in its movements.
This is hasty and unreasonable view of
the matter, for the most it can hope to &C
complish is to aid in opening the way, and
by cooperation in sentiment and effort, with
a united community, endeavor to introduce
sources of city and country to higher de-
gree of prosperity. Composed of represen-
tative men, engaged in commercial, gsner-
al-trade, and the manufacturing interests
of the city, every incentive to careful and
judicious action in the deliberations of the
body is assured, and if any agency can
stimulate effort and apply, by well consid-
cred plans and suggestions, modes for the
accomplishment of the progress desired, we
are satisfied the Association will, in the end,
meet every proper expectation.
An article appeared a few weeks since in
this paper on subjects in close relations to
the matters now under consideration, ex-
pressing the belief that all trade CEN
tiers, large and small, throughout the State
would. by home unity and co:opera-
ton, slowly, it might be, but surely revive
and increase old and establish new enter
prises for the general prosperity of each.
That article received considerable favor
from our brethren of the press, which en-
courages us in the hope that the labor rem
dered will not be in vain for local benefit,
for it was that purpose, by the application
made of it, we had in contemplation at that
time. This city and its sustaining country
are recognized abroad to be in possession of
elements of power similar to those which
by proper application are creating wealth
for other localities, and that very kind
of wealth we so much need to be infused
through the arteries of our business inter
ests; and il now our trades Association
is setting the ball in motion, surely all men
will agree that it is doing good work. If
the dormant resources available here for
enlarged purposes, shall be brought into
requisition, then this organization will
have accomplished what has been done else
where under similar circumstances, and our
increasing prosperity, like other centers of
trade, will no longer be an object of hope
deferred, but a present realization.
One of the reports made to the Associa-
ton deals with matters involving the fu-
ture of the trade intercourse between the
city and its northwestern country. We
have repeatedly had occasion in discussing
kindred matters to refer to the natural re-
sources of that section of country and the
value it possesses to Staunton, and in that
connection, mentioned one of the modern
and improved modes of transportation, pos
sibly within the ability of all parties inter-
ested to secure. But whether or not that
is the case, the matter is Of the gravest i'm
portance aud deserves thoughtful consider
alton. 1t will be wise to confer and talk
over the matter. If no movement by re-
newed efforts can then be made there will
be no cause for reproach when the prize SO
much desired is known to be out of our
reach. If, however, on the ether hand, it
should be demonstrated that we shall have
the ability to make judicious commence
ment in grasping after it, then the Mer-
chants and Manufacturers Association
will, having blazed the way, realize re-
munerative reward of hundred-fold value
over the labor expended.
For the purposes in hand now it is not
necessary to refer by name to the several
schemes and projected connections to de-
velop the country between the Baltimore
and Ohio and the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railways. To assume that they will not be
completed would be to assert negative as
unreasonable and entitled to as little con-
sideration as it would be to say that the
rich resources of West Virginia. are not
worthy of such enterprises. No sane man
will do that. In connection with the pros
spective view of future progress in West
Virginia, and the effects to follow upon a
section of valuable country, which in all
the past and is now by primitive modes OF
communication, in trade association with
Staunton, there is much to seriously think
about. As valuable as Highland and the
country beyond is to Staunton now, the true
estimate which can be based upon the dor
mant power there when in life and full &C
tivity it shall supplant the present circum-
stances Of the situation, will place that
value so far beyond the present realization,
as to make it appear fabulous. The forest
values alone would do this in creating here
many new industries.
The Richmond and Allegheny Railroad
Is to play an important part by its location
as base of operations in projecting con-
Meeting extension across West Virginia and
through Northern Ohio. Apart from the
local and wayside interests involved in these
schemes, the commerce of that country
seeking foreign and coastwise destination,
it is said will give shorter and quicker
routes to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay
its present and natural outlet. But when
the value and extent of idle wealth in West
Virginia comes into the count, it needs no
prophet to cast the horoscope of the future
by the multiplied lines of communication
which will profit by the new enterprise
which will be set on foot Especially are
we warranted in speaking as we do when
the Pittsburg scheme of southern connec-
ton is examined. That city with its de-
termined power is pushing now across West
Virginia, and the Richmond and Allegheny
Railroad interests are commencing to meet
that enterprise and to hasten the full con-
nection from Clifton Forge to Pittsburg
This is the road which in its designs greatly
concerns this citv Now ron+lor.or %