Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-16
HAPPY KING GEORGE.
THE CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE
STEADILY IMPROVING.
More Own Homes Than Ever be-
'forc-Thrift and Economy-Mer-
chants Make n Good heport-Neeo
of n Jafl-Thc Railroad.
Correspondence Of the Dispatch)


CONFORM, KING GEORGE COUNTY
VA. June 14.-Al,hough the cry OF hard
times" comes up from all quarters. ana
spirit Of unrest and discomfort perVades
the land, the outlook in this section OF
virginia is somewhat brighter and the
people are more hopeful than formerly.
That farmers and laborers have had
cause for complaint and discomfort, and
that there Is still vast room for reform
and improvement. no one can successfully
deny; but, an impartial survey of the
situation reveals a less cramped condi-
ton and easier circumstances among the
masses 4 larger percentage OF the poor
people own homes to-day than ever be-
fore. and the little homes and property OF
this class are in better condition and
show more evidence of economy, Industry
and happiness now than at any former
period. The country merchants state that
farmers. who, for many years were In
debt the year around, and never able 10
pay their store accounts at the end of
the year. are now less burdened with debt
and almost invariably pay up N FUR
once or twice "A year. The little farm
houses which few years ago presented
neglected weather-beatcn, tumbllng-
down. and deserted appearance are now
repaired, whtewashed, or painted, and are
very pictures OF thrift. energy. good man
aecment, and contentment. And, indeed
many a byand-new. handsome cottage
stands now where just TWO years ago the
wild yarmint lurked in the thicket-
these are the homes Of once penniless
and homeless labOrers, who, in the very
midst Of these hard times" have bought.
paid for and cleared up an acre or two
and with their own hands erected their
coscy dwellings thereon. The more home
owners, the more taxpayers we have
and to become a taxpayer IS 10 become
a better citizen, and better citizens make
better times. IL is impossible TO pass
through our portion OF the State and in
tervlew public officials, merchants, and
commercial travellers, who handle the
money, without observing the very de-
cidcd change for the better which has
taken place I'm the last year or two.
And a casual survey Of a gathering OF
country pcople-at church, on court
green, or elsewhere-reveals most de-
cidcd improvement in their general APP
pcarance. Their demeanor. their dress.
their teams and vehicles evidence easier
circumstances and better times with the
masses. and Notwithstanding the late un-
favorable spring the business outlook
at this time IS certainly more encouraging
than II has been FOR n number of years.
The corn crop, though late. is looking
wcll; wheat and oats promise a fair
yield willing labOrers find employment
on the farms al - cents per day. me-
chanics are literally patronized. may of
them having work now engaged 10 keep
them busy through the summer months,
and the various classes Of our people
are In closer touch with each other than
ever before. which. together with a re-
storation OF confidence. ushers in the sum-
mer OF 1875 with encouraging and hope
M prospects fer the people of this sec
ton. An intelligent businessman. who
has been a commercial traveller most
OF the time since the war, informs your
correspondent that. resources. etc. con-
sidered, the Northern Neck is improving
ard materially advancing more rapidly
than other sections remote from cities.
and that the twelve months last past
brought greater changes and larger de-
velopments there than any other one
year since 1867.
NEED OF A JAIL
Edmund Giles and Martha Scott (col-
ored). were tried in the County Court
here last week for stealing corn, and
tho former was sentenced to sixty days
and the latter 10 thirty days conhne-
ment In the county jail In the absence
OF a jail here they were taken TO the
Fredericksburg jail 70 serve their terms.
Several King Georgians have been in
dic,ed FOR selling intoxicating drinks
in violation Of the local option law. and
viii be tried by the County Court at its
July term. 4 number of attempts have
been made in recent years 10 prosecute
Wolators Of the local option here. but In
every case the accused have escaped
punishment on some trivial technicalty.
The present organized crusade against
the alleged Illicit traffic in intoxicants
seems more formidable. however. and
it begins to look as if the law will be
enforced.
II has become known that Hon. John
l.. Mason, o. this county ia an aspirant
for State senatorial honors this fall. and
that he has a strong following IN some
OF the lower counties as we'll as here.
His "a her, the late Hon. Charles Mason.