Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-15
Il EETING OF THE CITIZENS IN THE
OPERA HOUSE,
THE INTERESTS OF srAuNroS CONSIDERED

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bled. Hon. Alex. H. Fultz. the Mayor Of thu
city. called the meeting to order. Hon. Ed
Echols was elected chairman. who acknowl.
edge the honor and explained the objects o.
the meeting, which was to confer and reason
together in reference to the interests OF tn,
| city, the county, and the Commonwealth. He
said that he feared the striogency in tn,
money Market now prevailing Throughout
the whole country, would injure some of thu
new to gns, but he had no such fears for Staun
ton, for 1t had wealth. influence, and enterprise
and stood among the first in the Common
wealth, and was favorably known throughout
the whole of our Southland. He stated that
| they had assembled to consider particularly
| the questions of building a first class Hotel
and securing railroad connection with The
Norfolk and Western IA ilroad. formerly the
Shenandoah Valley Railroad. These were
considered the Immediate needs of this city
/ He then said the meeting was ready for busi-
ness On motion, Capt. j. N. Mcfarland was
| elected Secretary; and on motion OF Hon. Jacot
Yost the editors of Staunton were elect ed as,
| sistant Secretaries. The chair then called sue
cessively ON Hon. A. G. Gordon, Hon. Jacot
Yost, Mr.. ]. L. Edmundson. Maj. JED. Hotch.
| kiss, Rev. DR.. Jas. Nelson, and Mr.. NJ. Erskine
Miller, each OF whom responded and made
earnest speeches in favor of the obj cts men .
toned
Mr.. Gordon said that Staunton had the
men who, by their means and enterprise, had
built up number OF the new towns, and they
should now turn tn cir attention to advancing
the prosperity of Staunton-that they should
all work in harmony together, and that they
would be recreant to their duty II they did not
do so. The first thing to do is to secure the
building ola No. l. Hotel. Such a hotel had
been the cause OF the building up ofa fine town
| at Ashville. N. c.. and Staunton had many
more advantages than Ashville. A good hotel
would bring people here.
The Norfolk and Western shenandoah Val
ley) Railroad Company had made a survey
from their road to this city, and were anxious
to make the connection, and we should help
them to do SO. Our citizens should work in a
spirit of unity. and they can make Staunton
one of the foremost cities Of the State.
Hon. Jacob Yost said that he thought those
who had preceded him had struck tho keynote
as f1rst-class Hotel and the railroad connec-
ton are the things most needed. The new
towns had built good hotels that are not ex-
pected to pay for ONE years. but such would
not be the case here. The Norfolk and West
ern Is building branches to reach the mines
and in this county it has built such branch
which brings 1t within miles of Staunton.
The ore could be brought here at little cost,
and furnaces and other industries could be es.
tablished here. They are anxious to come and
we should aid them to do 10. He was not, he
said, resident here at this time, but his heart
was here.
MIR. Edmundson said that the future OF Staun-
ton would be what the citizens should determ-
ina 70 m
are laid, and every one should take a part In
building 1t up. Its natural advantages have
already secured number of manufactures,
Our resources are innumerable and inexhaust-
ible. and are only awaiting the hand of indus
try and enterprise to pour forth their riches.
The first need of Staunton is to have Hotel
here that will keep people here long enough to
examine our advantages for Investment.
There Is not an interest here of any character
that would not be benifitted by good hotel.
Men in the North told him that in five years
he would not know bis State-such would be
its progress. There Is some difference OF opin-
ion as to the proper locality for the Hotel. but
he thought the site selected for the AItemonte
Hotel is the proper place.
Major Hotchkiss said that our citizens should
go to work and have the Hotel built. There is
no place in the country where there Is more
beautiful scenery than at Staunton, and men
OF wealth seeking comfort and pleasure would
come and remain here If they had such Hotel
accommodations as they desire. Forty years
ago, Staunton had three good hotels, and their
reputation caused many guests 10 patronize
them. Staunton should have hotel equal to
any South of Mason Ind Dixon's line He said
there Is a subscription paper for the Hotel, and
urged those present to sign 1t. You have. he
said. the money-put your names on the sub
scription list. Coal, iron and timber are what
control the places of prosperity, and these we
have.
Rev. DIR. Nelson said that he was somewhat
at a loss to know why the committee had call
ed upon him to speak. He made, however.
quite an eloquent, though brief. address in
furtherance Of the objects of the meeting. He
had lived long enough in Staunton to feel a
deep interest Ia Its welfare and prosperity,
which Is the capital city of this great and beau
tiful valley where every prospect pleases.
There is o tide in the affairs of men which,
taken at the flood, leads to fortune, but omit
ted, all the rest of their lives is bound in shoals
and miseries, and he urged all to unite and
work in harmony together at this time for a
hrst-class hotel, as tn opportunity, if now lost
may be lost forever.
Mr.. M. Erskine Miller made quite earnest
remarks at considerable length, which show.
ed that his heart and hand were in this work
and that his pocket-book was also at COM
mand. He urged the Importance of the Hotel
and said that this was the time to raise the
money to obtain 1t. He said that we needed
hundred thousand.dollar Hotel, and that II
three ,fourths of that amount should be SUBJ
scrlbed by others. he would raise the other
fourth.
Preston A. Baylor, Esq, said that there were
other gentlemen of intelligence and practical
experience in the audience, other than those
called upon. whose views he would like to hear,
and who would, lift were not so late, address
the meeting, and he moved that the meeting
be thrown open to general debate. This mo-
ton was adopted. Mr.. Baylor said that first
class Hotel was very important, and he believ-
ed that the fine "Hotel Roanoke" had done
more than anything else to build up Roanoke.
AS to the railroad connection, he thought the
cost should be considered. and to know who
was to pay it. He thought the county should
be consulted, as 1t was as much interested as
the city.
COMMITTEE ON HoTEL SUBSCRIPTION.
Mr.. P. B. Sublett moved that committee be
appointed by the chair to solicit subscriptions
iOI IIOLoi Alb0uiOnbos IL WAS duOpbtu, dHU
the chair appointed the following committee:
P. E. Wilson, Edward Burke. w. T. McCue,
Jacob Yost. Arista Hoge. A. S. Lara, o. K. Lap.
ham. Theo Long, Terry, Thompson & Speck,
@. L. Weller. ]. w. Bodley, W. P. Tams. R. D
Apperson, Rev. DR.. w. A. Harris, B. f
Hughes. Jos. R. Liggett. j. L. Barth. R. D
Haislip Fl. NJ. McIlhaney.
Mr.. VIM. A. Burke said that they should
look to securing terminal facilities for tbs
| railroads. He thought they should have had
union depot before this.
Mr.. Sublett spoke OF the savings In freight &c
the county the railroad connection contem'
plated should be obtained
COMMITTEE ON RAILROAD CONNECTION.
On motion of Hon. A. c. Gordon, the Chai
appointed the following committee to confe
with the authorities of the Norfolk and West
ern Railroad
o. X. Lapham. Reeves Gait. J. A. Fauver, r
B. Sublett. Michael Kivlighan, Henry HUTCH
! inson, John SPOTS, Jas. H. Blackley, John W
Todd. c. s. Baker, j. 81. Powell.
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