Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-11-13
For tt Q SPECTATOR ]
To the Business len of Sfaunton.


To the Business ven of stanton
The writer OF this communication has been
panied, and we may add SURPRISED to see from
the city papers that the Common Council per-
mits In Its purpose to establish a street-rali.
way in Staunton. He does not question the
purity of the motives OF that body-on The
contrary he commends the zeal with which
they prosecute an enterprise which they,
doubtless. believe will tend to promote the
interests of the city. But he believes, on the
other hand. that they are mistaken, and that
they are about to inf1ict on the city, and its
business. an injury which can hardly be over.
estimated. He, therefore, claims the right of a
citizen to demonstrate against a measure so
full of evil.
Staunton Is now in prosperous condition
The public institutions located here-the four
large female schools, the male schools the com.
mercial college, the Insurance Companies, and
other institutions and factories bring large
amount of money to the city. which stimu-
lates enterprise and industries and adds to its
population. For several years past, there has
been growing tendency to centrslize the
commercial business of the great county of
Augusta and many of the surrounding coun-
ties, In Staunton-our narrow streets are
StucIdiiy cTOWueQ Win wagons, carts
and other vehicles. loading and unloading the
commodities which are being brought and
sold here. The wives of our farmers flock to
town IN their carriages to do their shopping
and make sale of the smaller productions of
their homesteads. This condition of things
gives life aud activity to our streets. Wagons
and carriages stand daily in front of every
place of business 1t is often difficult for a
nor IN, r; ,l
way through the jam which obstructsthe high
ways. Ifany man will take his stand at the
intersection of Main and Augusta streets
which may be called the centre of business, he
will see how dense is the throng of people and
vehicles which crowd the narrow streets, es-
pecially on Court and other public days and
be impressed with the insuficeDcy of the
space available for ordiuary business purpo-
ses.
The streets Of Staunton are but a feet wide
ofthis limited space seven feet on each side is
dedicated to side walks or pavements for foot.
passengers, leaving but IS feet-ttwo feet less
than the width of an ordinary country road
for the use of vehicles and the loading and Tn
loading of merchandise.
Yet. in he face of all these facts, it Ia pro-
posed to grant more than one-third of this in
sufficient space to a speculative corporation by
giving to it priority of right.of wayl
TIE railway will occupy about 10 feet of the
q feet dedicated to vehicles If the tracks are
laid in the middle OF the street there will be
pass-way OF only feet on each side of track!
Thus it will be impossible forany two vehicles
to pass each other going, either in the same or
opposite directions. Now if wagon load of
hay or forage, or furniture, which usually
projects some distance beyond the side of the
vehicle conveying it, should happen to NEST a
street car it must either encroach on the
rights of the car company or run the risk Of
sweeping passengers from the sidewalksi
" agons will not be allowed to stop long
enough before store to load or unload, be-
cause 1t would obstruct the passage of other
vehicles. Carriages could not, for similar
reasons, remain long enough before dry
goods store to enable a lady to select dress or
COAX, Nor could the wife or daughter of q
farmer be allowed to delay before grocery
store to trade her butter and eggs for an
equivalent in groceriesi
What will be the practical results OF this
condition of affairsf In the Judgment of the
writer 1t will be- a rapid decline In the busi-
ness. The elegant dry goods stores. extending
from Harris Bazaar to Loeb's corner, will be
comparatively deserted. Ladies', when they
drive up to a store to attend to their shopping
and take their purchases with them, will not
be pleased 10 receive the admonition of tie
Policeman, Drive on! you are obstructing
the highwayr'
The grocers and dealers in provisions will
find from similar causes their business rapidly
passing away from them. Owners OF business
houses will find their rents declining. The
number of licenses Will be lessened, the
revenues of the city will be diminished, and a
general stagustion of business will ensue.-
Country stores will multiply, where no such
improvements to trade exist. and where the
wives and daughters OF our farmers can ride to
the stores and hitch their horses. and trade or
barter at their leisure and without interference
of police officers.
The street cars, to be of any value, must move
rapidly, and as our streets are narrow and the
squares or blocks of the city (only two acres
eacb) the crossin will be numerous, and the
danger of collisions and other accidents will
be very great.
The next question Is, what benefit is to
arise to the public, to compensate for these
evils? Ifthere be any point within the corpo-
ration limits which is haya mile distant from
the business centre of the city, 1t is unknown
to the writer What need is there for such an
| TO the writer as ii the charter were a mere
speculative affair. He can see no reason why
business men should invest in it. But the
| city may by indiscre-t Legislation, be involved
in obligations, from which 1t will find it I'm
possible TO obtain a release except by paymen
| of large sum of money.
Grave doubts have been expressed, as to tn,
right of com mon council to grant such fran
chise. The streets Of city belong, not to tn,
city, but to the State. and the State Legislator
only is competent to grant the charter. Tn,
winter Is not prepared to express any opinion
on this question as he has not Investigated it
But he has a decided opinion that the Cit,
Council has acted hastily and unadvisedly il
a matter OF so much importance without tax
ing measures to inform itself of the wishes o
the people on the subject. The Council doubt
| less believe that the m easure Is a wise anS
benefcent one. while the writer is equally de
cideu In his opinion that it is fraueht with eyi
and t;isasteri The time has come wheu the bus
| inees men of the town should give full ant
emphatic expression to their sentiments oil
| this subject. AN OLD CITIZEN.
AUGUSTA CIRCUIT CoURT.-The fall term O
| the Circuit Court, Judge Mclaughlin presid
| AL a inet