The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-04-21
STAUNTCN NOTES.

In every direction houses are going up, |
painting and repairs being done, and
streets graded or paved, keeping a large |
labor force employed and distributing !
money throughout the channels of bust |
ness. The Virginia Hotel, under its new
owner, Mr.. J. G. Scheffer, is undergoing
q general shaking up, the plans OF
change involving an expenditure OF 3d.
900. New furniture has been ordered,
aud as soon as it can be placed and
workmen complete their contracts, TIL
Old hosiery will pat on new appear
ance. with many added comforts and &C
commodations, such us will satisfy the
travelling public. Staunton is greatly in
need of modern hotel accommodations,
aud it is the purpose of the proprietor
of the Virginia, to do what he can to
meet this demand, us far as he can.
A sad death occurred in Staunton on
Friday last Little Earl Wilson and ne
phew OF Taylor Bissell. died at the resi-
denee of his aunt, Mrs. Dora May, on
west Frederick street, OF St. Nitus dance.
lie was perfect athlete in form and the
very picture of robust health, until
month or two before his death. The
complaint which terminated his young
life. was the result of imprudent exer-
else and bathing at the Y. III. G. A., as
we learn. He was first taken with Sc
we're cold, then st. Vltus dance, followed
,f9 Ia M
several weeks ia this condition, when
death came to his relief. He was a great
favorite with all who knew him, and
almost ido.ized by his accomplished
christian mother, who has the sincere
sympathy of the entire community In
her affection.
Rev Mr. Cox, pastor of the Baptist
Church, preached an interesting sermon
last Sunday night from the text in LIST.
Corinthians, 10Th Chapter, BE not de-
ceived- Evil communications corrupt
good manners" In the course of his re-
marks he emphasized the evil effects OF
sensational literature, such as the lives
of Jack Shepperd" and 'Dick Turpin,"
as Well as the current newspaper publ
cations. which are filled with the details
| of all kinds of sensational crimes. There
is no question that some weak minds
are influenced by such reading, but
whether they are the primary cause of
criminal acts and lives is a debatabe
question. Ia some cases, they simply
| no fnu ha DIV nj
festation of vicious inclination, without
inspiring motive or creating cause, but
| it is safe to say that the utter inhibition
of such literature would have salutary
effect upon the rising generation and
give an impetus to moral influences
that otherwise might dwarf and die
The mind and inclination grow upon
what they feed, and If absorbed by fa>
miliar contact with crimes of lesser or
greater degree, they will naturally par
take of the character of the class OF
reading they indulge. las the twig is
bent the trees inclined" is as true of
youth as it is OF the forest Not only is
this SO in the literal domain of the social
world, but is equally true as to all pub
lie questions and interests. The news
paper that has no higher ambition than
to furnish gossip for the passing enter
tainment OF its readers, and the public
men who have no higher motive to
guide them than the acclaim of the rab-
bic are equally enemies of society and
good government. The newspaper that
has the courage to confront public pas
sion and delusion, and the public man
who is brave and honest enough to throw
himself across the path of fallacious doe
trines and agrarian measures, although
for the time he may be condemned by TIE
unthinking multitude, will both grow in
the favor Of thoughtful people, and
eventually find themselves on the popu-
lar side, and esteemed as conset vators OF
public morals and public interests. A
long experience in journalism and asso-
citation with public men AMI public ques-
tions, convinces us that honesty is
the best policy in all public relations,
as well as private. It may at first be
unpopular, and call for some adverse
criticism, to assaii plausible yet de-
ceptive measure or policy, but in the
end, the second sober thought of the
people will commend and give thanks
for it. A few months ago the Alliance
craze swept over the country i'll a flood
of popular feeling, carrying everything
before it, But as soon as the harmful
tendencies of the doctrines and theories
it promulgated were dissected and ex>
posed, public Judgment was reversed,
and protest entered that was practical
death to it as q political force. The
free silver craze, engineered and pro
claimed by demagogues and unscrupu-
ous political aspirants, had u like popu-
lar introduction; but as soon as its ruin
Gus effects were made known, even those
who had been committed to it, at first
halted and hesitated and then turned
upon it.
And SO with all moral and political in
fiuences, which are harmful In their ten
denotes. if confronted in their incipien-
cy and the popular mind educated, by
healthy reading and speaking as to the
cally follow, right conclusions will be
reached and and public interests con
served.
We have diversified and broadened
the application Of the idea advanced and
impressed by Mr.. Cox, yet, we think, we
have not perverted the meaning intends
ed to be enforced. There are moral in>
fluences which should enter into public
as well as the social relations of commu-
nifty and the secular papers and public
men who aim to contribte to their force
and impress their effect, subserve a good
purpose for the State in all its relations.
Easter Sunday was u lovely day and
the Churches were crowded with attend
ants on divine services. Delightful mu
sic was served in several of the congre>
cations, notably the Episcopal, Lutheran
and Catholic. The following day, ap>