The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-06-27
In the Right Channel.


of our people have been turned
into a practical and useful channel as it
affects the future of the city and vicinity.
The frequent advertisements we have
together of the wonderful natural advan-
tages we possess, have had the effect to
stir them to thinking ard to the lmpor-
lance of active efforts Ill the line of bust
ness enterprises. While it required q good
deal of coaxing and argument to secure
all the subscriptions necessary for the
Furniture and Shoe Factories, the amount
required was .flnally raised and the pro-
jects are now fully assured. The reluc'-
tance to take hold of these enterprises was
the result more of want OF association
with joint stock companies, than an H.
difference to the future of the city. The
few little industrial enterprises which
have been started here on the Joint stock
principle have not been such in their OPP
Grafton as to fascinate and enthuse those
who have taken part in them. This how
ever, was because of the diStrust that eX-
listed and the effect of that distruSt in
preventing that liberality which is essen
tial to success. Our people have not been
trained in technical knowledge, and in the
two enterprises which have been recently
inaugurated their dependence is upon
strangers to conduct the mechanical
part of them. In any community the
same hesitancy would have been man.
ifested. as. it is natural for business
men to feel confidence in an investment
before they place their earnings in it. In
the organization of the respective compa-
MES, however, competent home talent has
been secured, in the business department,
and those in charge of the mechanical
for their integrity and capacity in their
line. We have every reason to hope that
success will follow,
The Mutual Building and Annuity Com
pany was inaugurated under different influ-
ences. The gentlemen who suggested
| the plan are well known to our men of
means. They have proved themselves to
| be experts in the line that the association
| will operate. They have the confidence of
community as a result of their success in
other related organizations. AS result
there has been rush of applications for
the stock, and in less than weeks time
500, 900 were subscribed. This shows that
| there is disposition and purpose to dc
| TO off inhf hot
has rested on the energies of the people
and to start out in some direction to show
there is life and enterprise in our people
These several movements here, as we
have stated, give the thoughts of our PEG
| pie direction in the right channel, and we
hope and believe Will bring forth ample
fruits and reward the enterprise that has
commanded them.
They are, too, suggestive of Other
things. Where a people are known to be
alive anf active, inviting efforts ant
means to create new business, to stir the
latent energies and rub off the rust. 9th
pate and add their capital and experience
to enlarge the scope OF the work. Bust
ness enterprise IS contagious. 1t infects
all who come within its influence and is
heralded abroad just like any other conta
gion. It advertises community; inves
tigation follows, and where there are ad
vantages unappropriated. they are soor
seized upon and the proper appliances en-
ployed to utilize them.
There is not an intelIige mt man in Staun
ton who does not know that we have beer
shamefully Indifferent to the natural ad-
vantages we possess. There is not a week
that passes that we do not come in contact
with Strangers whose first inquiry is when
they learn the resources of this section
why have you not manufactures here
The only excuse that is at hand is that WE
we're not raised that way" We cannot
reason the case, for there is no reason t(
justify the condition of things that does
not give employment to more bread-win
ners. The Furniture Factory, the Shoe
Factory. the Building and Annuity Asso'
citation may be and doubtless will prove tC
be very good things in their way, and the
latter especially for the stockholders and
managers, but we must confess that ouI
partiality and judgment run in another
direction, We want to see an iron indus
try started, A Rolling Mill, once success
fully inaugurated. would be followed by
other related industries, such as horseshoe
factory, a nail factory. and other kindred
branches. which would give employment
to hundreds of w0rkmen, and draw money
from distance to this point as q centre.
There is something enduring about these
ENTERPRISES, both for the'tOWn and county
for they assure ready and remuneratlye
market for the farmer and trucker and
keep the earnings of our people at home
to create new wealth in its rounds of use
funess and necessity.
We are hopeful that some such enter
prise will be lnaugurated in the near fin
ture. AS soon as our people get theil
minds set in that direction. they viii
readily understand the benefits which are
necessarily associated with enterprises OF
that kind, and will embark in them. And
when once start is made it will not be
long before an industrial centre is assured
and the coveted period arrived. when ouI
many resources and advantages will be
fully developed and utilized. The people
are beginning to talk right. They are
looking to the future hopefully. Our young
business men are moving. and with their
natural capacities and energies fully en-
listed, we feel confident a bright and
prosperous future awaits our charming
little city of the hills.
| A Wheat Pc t.
A dispatch dated at Indianapolis, June