Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-15
Stauntott Spectator,
WEDNESDAY. FEB. Is, 1888.
Angusta County.

Augusta County.
Our county governments as now consti-
tuted take charge Of the most valuable
interests affecting the social happiness ana
material progress Of the people, centering
chief MOWERS in the Court the Board OF
Supervisors and the School-board-the
Board of Supervisors holding the position
of very great responsibility, in that IL
exercises, under certain limitations, the
levyisg of county and district taxes. In
the matter of land damages for public pur-
poses, building bridges and the like, the
Court becomes cooperative with approving
and restraining powers.
Augusta county, in it's Board OF Super
visors. has a collective body, which has
evidently studied carefully the relatlons
they hold to the large community Win
whose internal affairs they are SO RESPONSE
bly associated. Take the leading inter-
ests of roads and bridges and review them
for few years past, and it is most gratiiy-
ing to note the progress which has been
made in the general improvement OF the
first, and the elegant structures which now
span the streams at the most dangerous OF
the necessary crossings. Qaietly and sys-
tematically the Board of Supervisors ana
the Court, without increasing the rate OF
taxation which has ruled for long number
of years, are earnestly and with well
studied cooperation carrying on the COM
pletion of thoroughly investigated plans for
other necessary bridges, and gradually
bringing up the standard of our highways
and byways under the special road-iaWs
enacted for the county, which are worked
under the district system. What is said OF
the Board in its cooperative functions
with the Court, in. the important interests
referred to, illustrates its rule of action
also in sustaining the School-board and the
public schools of the county, for the report
of the Superintendent shows Augusta
county among the most advanced in the
State both in comfortable school-houses
and in provision for maintaining the ef-
fcency of the system.
We could continue to trace the public
services of these three departments of our
county government both as associated and
separate, illustrating as we 60 along by
references to the sound conservative and
progressive policies pursued in building up
tina interests of all the people on the solid
foundation of happiness and prosperity,
but will only note one other, which some
consider of minor Importance, but it is fal
otherwise.
We often see the public prints calling
upon Governor Lee to follow the examples
of the Governors of other States, and set
apart an Arbor Day-a time for jolly
lively planting. The Augusta County
Board of Supervisors invited the people O
the county, three years ago, to commenced
this elegant custom of some sections O
country, and it was partially observed, ant
may we not hope that it will be continued
more extensively this and succeeding
years.
the people of Augusta well situated, for tn
county contains elements of large progress
sive power which will fill splendid oppol
tunities or lie comparatively inactive a
the people may determine. The agricultr
raj and industrial interests of Virginia,
they are falling into line Of continuing d.
velopment, are concentrating their dt
monstrative progress in State and in dis
trict expositions and fairs. The most fol-
ward of the districts are at Lynchburg ant
Staunton Here, annually, should be exhi
billions second to none in the State, saw
that at Richmond, and it will be almost a
easy to have fifteen or twenty Thousand
people in attendance as it will one-fourti
OF those numbers. The leadership in thi
respect devolves upon the management o
the Baldwin District Fair, and that will
continue distinctive, for had the season
been propitious, ten thousand visitor
would have been on the grounds during
the exhibition last fall. Without enumera
ting the many Inducements inviting CO
operative action, the people of Augusts
should realize the value which attaches tt
their county in its central location and The
seat of such an institution as this can b.
made to attain to-. Every consideration o
pride, emulation, and interest shoult
prompt the people to go forward in thu
still larger development of their pursuits
remembering that it is individual actor
which laws the foundation of broad, com
prehensive public spirit in communities
and that single man often leads wher
the masses follow.
Every view which presents itself for con
sideration, whether as it relates to thos'
matters already referred to or the lonl
enumeration which could be made of gen
erai and special subjects of thrift, the PEG
pie of Augusta and Stanton have elegan
opportunities for continuing prosperity
The county is entirely free Of debt ant
meets its responsibilities of good local gov
eminent with as light rate of taxation
perhaps, as any county in the State, ant
the people thus situated should reach tina
full measure Of prosperity and happines
attainable under such inviting circum
stances.
CONFERENCE OF M. E. CHURCH SOUTH
The 104th session of the Baltimore Annua
Conference of the Methodist Episcopa
Church South will meet at Martinshurg. wv