Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-07-21
Stauntoi, Spectator.
"WEDNESDAY. JULY 21, 1886.
StauntOn-The Industries.

Staunton, the oldest of the towns West
of the Blue Ridge mountains, and still the
first in population, has grown almost Who'll
ly upon the splendid resources of the agri-
cultural district of which it is the centre
When Virginia, forty years ago, embarked
on system of railroad Improvements. the
leading lines, commencing on the seaboard,
passed over the mountains, one at Buford'
Gap for Tennessee, and the other through
the tunnel at Rock6sh Gap, making Staun-
ton point in it's course to the central West.
Since then, other leading lines from North
to South have been built, and by her own
large contribution, she made herself rail-
road centre, possessing superior facilities of
transportation, passing through and PEN
etrating the producing and mineral BELTS
The object of all this expenditure was to
accomplish more than the means of exit for
the surplus of our farms and bringing in
our needed merchandise. 1t was to keep
pace with other cities and towns, which,
like our own, had prospered in handling ag-
ricultural productions, and in addition
thereto were ranging themselves in the line
of associating the manufacturing industries
in their enterprises. They have not been
content with simply well-earned mercan-
tile success, but have bestirred themselves
in securing and associating manufacturing
elements with the other pusuits to render
thrifty expansion more certain-thus pro-
ducing a new wealth, not the rival Of agri-
culture or commerce. but the hand-maiden
of both. Nor have they allowed a dim
prospect of gain or seemingly inadequate
dividends to hinder their action in going
forward to accomplish that which was the
right thing to do i'll looking out for future
of expanding wealth and prosperity. In
stances are at hand in which old towns that
had been progressive only as dealers in
farm products embarking in manufacturing,
and have, in from fifteen to twenty years,
doubled their population and nearly quad
rupled their taxable values.
The population and wealth of Staunton
ara evidences of the value Of the agricultu-
raj products of this section of the State,
and in fostering those interests it has al
ways occupied the relation of patron to this
chief industry. In 1859. the town came
within one of securing the exhibition that
Fall of the State Agricultural Society,"
Continuing, it has been the generous ben
efactor in annually sustaining resources to
the county Fair. There are agricultural
communities whose merchants are not
equal to ours in enterprise and sagacity in
handling a large surplus for export. Our
dealers in wheat, flour, corn, bacon, wool
hay, etc., are enlightened, liberal, and pro-
gressive They keep themselves well post
ed. City deliveries do not compass the
trade which has it's centre here. Purchases
are made at the railroad stations in this and
adjoining counties, and thence sent forward
to the consuming markets. In Augusta
county, on the three railroads, there are in
all thirty-one stations, at all of which this
process of selling by producers is regularly
going on, with the results centreing here.
This commerce in the varied Valley produc-
tions sent out by Staunton firms is deliver
ed at many points between New York and
Charleston, s. c. What Staunton needs tc
secure largely Increased commerce, diff
fusing general benefits, is to have dissent
mated some of that vim and energy which
handle our agricultural products. In ev.
cry direction we can see illustrations that
manufactures added to agricultural pros
perity are working the best results. The
communities which have thus opened the
way never turn back and find that the CO.
operating influences which unite the labor
of the skilled artisan with the products OF
the fields, lead on to a genuine prosperity.
They can build up as isolated interests, but
this is a community in which, side by side,
different industries give reciprocal strength
and support, because here are the raw materi-
ais, the means of living, and, in a great
measure, market for factory products
The most fortunate thing which could hap
pen to this city would be for it to enter up
on a line of policy furnishing starting
point whereby it will become as pro-
nounced in its progress for developing the
languishing industry as it has been in the
one which has attained to a richly merited
success.