The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-04-03
Corrupt Officials.

The grand jury examination into the
Sheriff's Office of New York City recently
revealed a fearful condition of corrun-
ton. Extortion, unwarranted fees, brides
and every form of practice by which the
Golfers of the officers were filled by lille
gal exactions of prisoners, suspects and
offenders of every class. This hole of
Democratic corruption has been poten-
tial in political contests, and has domi
mated every other interest-mouldine
and directing it to the use and behoof
of the ringsters who were Tammany
Democrats. Not since the days of Boss
Tweed, have such exposures been made.
and the effect must be equally pro-
nounced in driving the plowshare of
reform through the seething mass of
moral putresence.
Another startling exposure was made
III Maryland last week. The Democratic
Treasurer of that State, heretofore a
man of accepted integrity and influence,
was found to be Il defaulter. Hon.
Stephen Archer, who had served as
as chairman of the Democratic State
Committee, State Treasurer, and in
other positions of honor, trust and emol-
ument, is the Treasurer and the discoy-
cry that he hypothecated State securi-
ties to tide over pressing financial com
plications, startled the whole State.
Knowing that his exposure had come.
his mind gave way and he wandered
through the woods for an entire night
The amount of the default is not stated
but much or little it carries with it a
moral turpitude, that will adhere to the
name of Archer through all time. 1t is
a lamentable case, which illustrates the
great danger of yielding to temptation
even under the most pressing and OPP
pressive circumstances. Mr.. Archer has
passed through life maintaining the
reputation of an honorable man, enjoy
ing the confidence of all classes of his
fellow citizens, with not suspicion rest
ing upon his integrity. In moment of
weakness, to tide over pressing embar-
rassment, he appropriated trust securi-
ties from which his humiliation and dis
! grace and all of his troubles originated.
West Clifton Forge.
The G. y O. Development Company,
composed of B. F. EalSle, w. August, of
the Hot Springs, and John Donovan,
has issued u preliminary circular an
nouncing that a number of the lots re-
Gently laid off by the G. & 0. Railroad
Company, west of and adjacent to Cliff
ton Forge, are now on the market. In
a few days the prospectus will be placed
before the public, giving full particulars.
1t is the purpose of the G. & O. Railroad
Company to expend large amount of
money in constructing the workshops
and a $4,000 hotel on part of these
lands. and to improve them in many
other respects. This will necessarily
give a great impetus to private enter
prises and create an inflow of population
that will soon make the Clifton Forge
locality a busy and progressive place
The plans and purposes of the Railroad
Company, the Development Company,
and the Clifton Forge Company, whose
property is also on the market, must
necessarily result in attracting capital
to this section and building up an
imposing industrial and business cen
ire In the midst of the richest
iron district on the continent, with or
CARNATIONS projected to utilize the
advantages thus presented, it is only
question of time when Gen ingalls,
prediction that it will be the Altoona of
the South will be realized. The prop
erty offered by Messrs Eakle, August
and Donovan presents favorable oppor-
tunity for profitable investment, and we
have no doubt it will be availad of at
once, by hundreds of enterprising pee
pie. Clifton Forge is destined to be a
city of no mean proportions and to com
mand the confidence of capitalists from
every portion of the Union.