The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-03-14
1t is Coming.

markets of the East 10y the furnace pro
iuctions of the South has been steady and
Increasing. until now it is admitted thai
here will have to be change in some way
10 prevent the capture of the trade by
Southern products. Fer this reason. cap
Ital seeking investment is looking TO the
South, and especially to Virginia, where |
ion of iron can be mode for less than in |
any other portion Of The Union. quality |
considered. Alabama cannot compete With |
Virginia, 10 all round iron production. |
and the fact that we have the advantage |
Of nearness to markets gives tie iron dis
tricts Of this S:ate precedence. A stan
dard authority. On this point, not long
since said that Virginia need have no fear
of competition from any source. Win
the ores and limestone right at hand; IA
ciiities for shipment accessible. and LABOR
as cheap as it can be gotten anywhere IN
this country. SIZE possesses advantages
without rival. This was said especially
of this immediate section. to whose i'm
mense mineral wealth, attention has been
but recently attracted. It has been a
prevalent opinion in the East that the iron
ore of this part of the Valley was not
valuable eithe as to quality or quantity.
This impression was the result of several
failures because of bad management or
meagre capital. So firmly set was this
preiudice, that eastern mtn would not pa
tiently listen to statement Of what was
known TO be here. They would not only
not come here, but would scarcely mani
fest the courtesy to hear what we had to
saw In behalf of this section. Failing in
securing respectful hearing, one intrepid
and rather aggressive citizen determined
to try another method. He shipped
small box of ores to an expert analytical
chemist and geologist in an eastern city.
A glance at the specimen, convinced the
expert that such ores were not to be foui
in the geological formations OF tie Valley.
Nothing daunted, the gentleman who had
sent the box then packed barrel, and
went with it. DistrGst and incredulity
were still supreme. The Virginian gave
his version of the geology OF tie section
from which the ores were taken, and in
sisted that he had taken it from the mines
with his own hand. The expert persisted
in his doubts. Finally The Virginian per-
suaded the doubling Thomas to accom-
pany him. He cams to the Valley, re-
manned here week or ten days. directing
his time to thorough examination OF the
formations 10 which his attt nli0n was
directed. Expressing his surprise and
wonder that such things could exist as ne
found and yet not be known to the outside
world, he finally acknowledged his error
and confessed that the representative OF
the region did not tell halt the truth. lie
became convert to Virginia ores. and IS
now interested in a large area OF mineral
property in Augusta county.
The same incredulity existed, and with
some still exists, as to the anthracite coal
in this part of Virginia. A similar
experience was gone through with. The
mere statement OF snch coal being here
was treated as a hallucinaiion. FIpally
harrel of it was sent North
tested in the private office of the person
to whom it was sent. and pronounced the
best of anthracite coal. as burner. But
it was not believed it came from Virginia
until personal examination was MADE
and tie fact practically driven into the
mind, 10y seeing it in its regular place be
tween the rocks. feeling with the hands.
and burning ii in the fire.
1t has been 10y this tedious aud costly
process that some Of the preconcelved no
tions about the minerals of Virginia have
been corrected and doubts removed. But
it is not the clear thing yet. There is
still a lingering distrust as to the quality
of tile iron ores aud the coal, although
careful analyses prove beyond question
that both the coal and the iron are here ii
commercial quantities and quality.
The advance in the direction of fail
knowledge of the resources of the Vale,
has been made. The effect is manifested
in inquiries from every part of the East
as to the mineral properties CT this i'm
mediate section. Parties drop in occa
sionally, look at specimens, and ask
hundred questions, as though distrus'
reigned to such degree as to prevent con
fidence and consequently Investments
This is so with few. Others. heretofore
among the scoffers and iDcredulous, llaI t
acknowledged their error: are speaking
in our favor. and giving it out that Vlr
gfnia, to day, is the richest territory ii
the Union in numerals. Capital is slowii
coming in. and a disposition shown tt
prove faith by works. Under the influ
encs Of existing national conditions
and the assurance that there is tt
be no radical change in our tariff law
for the next four years. investments VIII
be made, industries started. and when THU
is done, we know what will be the future
In a few years it will be, just as stranger
who had occasion to examine into the
mineral resources Of the State, said Ill
Ohio few months ago, that in ten years
Virginia would be one of the richest ant
most prosperous and progrF ssive Com
1nonwealths in the Union. The move
uents on foot at this time will open tbs
way and when the stampede oEce begins
1t will be like the rush to the newly dis
covered gold fields of California. there
Wi, hardly De room to hold them. The
day OF material recognition is coming. Ii
Ia now ut hand. and il will be the fault oil
our people if it does not burst upon them
in the fullness of an abundant prosperity
e-----------
Secretary Tracy Is reported cs saying III
New York last week, that We would have
"a navy and good one as soon as It conld
he constructed. The Notwithstanding oc-
currences in Hayti and al Samoa. aad the
known inefticiency Of our navy as COM
cared with The great naval powers CT The
world, have aroust deep concern in this
country aud impressed the necessity fol
the construction of a navy commensurate
with our national prestige and power. We
ought to have navy and will have one OF
proper dimensions and dignity. Its con-
siruction will give impetus aud activity
to business and distribute among the peo'
: pie about ten million dollars a year.
Hon. Chauncey F. Black, of Pa. Presi'
dent of the National Association OF Dem
ocratic Cubs. has issued to the Demo
cratic societies cali for the observance OF
InfEA on