The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-08-21

Cumberland Valley Extension.
The interest manifested in the extern.
sion of the Cumberland Valley Railroad
from Winchester South along the Vest
ern side of the Valley of Virginia is very
gratifying. 1t shows that the people
along the proposed line appreciate the
Importance of the suggestion, and are
ready to cooperate with the railroad
company in promoting the enterprise.
1t is suspicious that there has been SO
much unanimity of sentiment all along
the suggested route, and that the people
are moving in the matter in form and
under circumstances that demonstrates
their earnestness. When this feeling.
finds expression in practical action and
the corporation sees that business is
meant, they will doubtless give 1t
prompt consideration and open up com
municatiOn with reference to some tan
gible form into which to place the move
ment. Practical public schemes are the
result of public sentiment, and when
backed by enthusiasm and sincerity,
there is hardly anything beyond accom-
plishment. That the resources of the
region to be traversed will justify not
only the interest manifested, but organi-
cation to effect the end in view, would
be observed by any one who has even
partial knowledge of the natural
wealth embraced in the territory that
no dot 10
the most promising undeveloped lines in
the South, as a careful investigation will
attest. and the road could be constructed
at as little cost as any other line could
be constructed in the Valley. The iron
ore, the coal, the timber. the live stock
and farm products which would con
tribute to the traffic of the railway.
would amply repay for the expenditure
in its construction, to say nothing of the
travel that would be created to avail Of
that mode of transportation. This re-
fers to local development and business
When we look at the project as a part
of system to tap the connecting lines
with the South and West, it must be
viewed as a matter of much greater i'm
portance than a mere local scheme. 1t
could be made one of the important
arteries connecting the North and South,
and furnishing the commercial vitality
that would give strength, and growth,
and wealth to both sections
The Valley of Virginia, geographically
and geologically, is continuous part of
the great Cumberland Valley of Penn
sylvania, and to unite them together in
commercial bonds and iron links would
consummate a result that would bring
together peoples of the same lineage and
alike industrial pursuits 1t would trans
fuse new blood in into each of the States
unite the efforts of a sturdy people in
the development and utilization of the
marvellous natural wealth which nature
has bestowed, and bring the sections
together by the strong lines of CONNER
cial interests, which would prove per-
manentand National blessing.
The Cumberland Valley has big posi-
bilities before it if it shall avail of the
opportunity now presented to extend
its line and open up one of the most
affiuent portions of the beautiful Valley
of Virginia Will it respond to the in
vitation extended, and reciprocate the
sentiment which has been SO signally
manifested all through the region that
it is proposed to accommodate
Railroad Meeting at Summerdean.
We have been requested to announce
that there will be a meeting of the peo-
pie of the neighborhood of Summerdean
on Saturday the 30th of August, at 8
O'Clock, p. m, to consider the proposition
for the extension of the Cumberland
Valley Railroad up the Valley from
Winchester, along the eastern base Of
the North Mountain. 1t is desired that
there shall be full attendance as a
manifestation of interest this part of the
county feels in the enterprise. Let there
be creditable representation of the in
telligent and thrifty farmers and citi-
zens generally of that locality, as well as
from other portions of the Valley. The
object is to appoint delegates to the
railroad meeting in Staunton next
month.
The State Alliance
The following facts in regard to the
Virginia State Farmers Alliance, which
met in Lynchburg on the 18th, will be
interesting to our readers:
This Alliance perfected an organiza-
ton at Luray, July g. 1899, their num-
bers being small. At State conven-
ton held on July 10, 1889, there were
thirtytwo county organizations and 442
sub-alliances, representing 10000 indi-
vidual members. At the convention to-
morrow there will be eighty
county organizations. One thousand
one hundred and thirteen sub alliances,
and $4,000 individual members will be
represented. There are sub-alliances in
seven counties where the county organi-
cation has not yet been perfected, SO
that the Alliance is in existence in
ninety-four counties, or in all but six in
the State. This an increase of about 800
per cent. in one year, very remarkable
growth.