Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-01-30
REPORT OF TIE SECRETARY OF TEE
STAUNTON CHAMBER OF COM
MERGE.

| STAUNToN Va, Jan. l, 1895.-At the 1894
May meeting of the Chamber of Commerce,
was directed to prepare report for publica-
| ton of the matters of public interest in which
| the Chamber had taken an active part in pro-
noting
| In conference with Mr.. Isaac Witt, Presi
| dent. as we'll as other members of the Board
of Directors, it was concluded that, in view
of the lengthy investigation necessary to be
made for proper compliance with the order
of the Chamber that would bring us towards
| the close of the year, it would be as well to
delay the report short while, and then bring
| in all matters of public interest to the close of
| the year 1894.
THE RECORD OF EFFORT.
| The Chamber of Commerce was organized
February 18th, 1885, and was equipped for
work Immediately thereafter.
AT the 1885 April meeting committee was
appointed for the purpose of compiling statiS-
I, tics of the trade of the city at that time, and
for the five previous years. valued report
came from the committee in due time, en-
bracng the interests named, including APP
propriate references to future conditions.
| When the Virginia Normal institute was
canvassing for seat for the summer session,
the Chamber at its May meeting took up the
case, presenting StauntOn as suitable IN all re-
spects for the object. The effort was success
| full.
In the following July, the Chamber, ami
|
with the interior country, proposed the con-
| struction of a narrow gauge railroad to High
land county. A large array of statistics was
presented. The scheme of an improved high
way between Staunton and that section of
country has not been abandoned, and in the
progressive achievements of the day, an cleo
| trio railroad is now under discussion.
| At the following December meeting of the
Chamber, resolution on motion of Mr.. r. w.
Burke was adopted requesting the Hon. ]. R.
'HI1nE IN 70, rafiyr Of thn
District i'll Congress, to introduce measures
| looking to the erection of government build
| ing to accommodate the postal department
and other governmental service at Staunton.
| This movement was followed up by prepared
compilations OF statistics, showing the neces-
sity of the building. These efforts were con-
| tinued as long as necessary The measure
was well sustained by Hon. Jacob Yost who
succeeded Mr.. Tucker, and Hon. H. st
George Tucker who succeeded Mr.. Yost, con
tInuing on the same Inc until the superb
, building was completed and occupied few
Weeks since
At the June meeting. 1886, Mr. R W. Burke
called attention to the purpose of Mr. H
Sheppard, the Collector of Internal Revenue
of the 9Th District to remove his office from
Staunton to Warrenton. The Chamber
adopted decisive means to prevent the design
of the Collector. Mr.. Burke was appointed
to personally communicate with the depart
ment at Washington. The order which the
was countermanded.
Another diligent effort was made, but not
successful, for the location here of the Vir-
ginia Normal Female School which was sub
sequently placed at Farmville. Two large
State institutions already at Staunton and a
more geographical central position required,
were successful arguments in defeating our
application.
The first three months of 1886 were devoted
to improving the rules and regulations and
securing a charter of incorporation from the
Legislature for the Chamber.
The absorbing interest involved in efforts
for the settlement of the State debt, was an
occasion which called for the active exertions
of the Chamber. This service was not only
required in proper attention to matters at is
sue for the general welfare. but Staunton was
recognized by all parts and trade centers of
the State as one of the sisterhood of communi
ties whose counsels were sought for in the
emergencies of the times. Proceedings were
introduced sustaining Governor Lees course
and the measures adopted by the legislature,
to prevent the use of coupons by the patriotic
action of the people in paying taxes, and to
do so in currency, and thus save to the
treasury a sufficiency of funds to support the
actual needs of government. The measures
were unanimously approved.
The further improvement of the mail ser
vice for this locality, as well as the lettering
of the freight Transportation facilities and
Continuance in sustaining cordial relations be-
tween town and county, characterized the
work of the Chamber to the close of 1886.
During large portion of 1887, the interests
involved in proper adjustment of the Mer-
chants License tax, engrOSSed much attention
throughout the State. The comparison of
views and the correspondence between the
The Staunton Chamber had the pleasure of
witnessing the adoption in the law of many
of the views that had here been sent forth
from this body for the general good
The three years of 1888, 1889, and 1890 were
industriously occupied by the Chamber and
in many respects with encouraging results, in
promoting the values of StauntOn in her
varied enterprises and contributing to the
interviewer associations of trade and inter
course with the surrounding country and
trade centers in Virginia and other States.
The City Council was warmly supported in
negotiating with the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway for the improved Accommodations that
were finally obtained for the passenger service
at Staunton, and affording safe crossing for
pedestrians to the southern end of the city
| The memorable disaster which occurred at the
passenger STATION 28th April, 1890, was the oc
casion for a renewal of effort by the Chamber
| then to secure restoration of the damaged
condition to former completeness. The cor
respondence conducted on the part of the
Railway Company by the President, contains
| the most pleasant references 10 Staunton and
her people by Mr. ingalls,, who has so long
been at the head of affairs of that great
artery of commerce, the first OF its character
| to reach Staunton, and with which her
fortunes are so much identified
During this period of time, the Baldwin
Augusta Fair was enlarged into the BALD
| win District Fair Association" The soicita
| ton for the Chamber to enter into renewed
efforts for such an institution. did not need
the formality of invitation. Right straight
| along it Joined in zeaously taking part in the
general features of interest, and direct respon
sibility for securing what terminated in the
grandest trades display which doubtless was
the most interesting of the kind which eyer
uaraded along the streets of our city.
The Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical
State Society with headquarters at Richmond,
was of the earlier organizations on these lines
within the borders of the Old Commonwealth
Under the presidency of Mr.. Ashton Starke,
during the years named, it asplred and sue
cessfully so, to the Importance OF great ex-
position That gentleman visited Staunton in
his tour of the State, and here delivered an
able address The Chamber enrolled itself as
one of the jealous ORGANIZATIONS in behalf OF
the measure. realizing that it contributed its
| full proportion of effort to the occasion which
diffused far and wide all over our country the
fame of the Mother of States and states
men," and associated with that renowned
designation her additional claim to rank
| with thu first of her sister Commonwealths in
grand resources and EXHIBITS IN material
wealth and power.
During the eventful years adverted to came
| forth the proposition to celebrate the 40Oth
anniversary of the discovery of the Ameri
can Continent. In the earlier movements
| national board of promotion was organized
of which our President and Secretary were
made members, with its seat of operations at
Washington city. Mr.. Alexander D. Ander-
son, a gentleman familiar with the customs
and governments of the people of the Spanish
American States, was placed in the important
office of Secretary of that organization. How
well he served the great purpose in view, is
| of the records from first to last of the scene
which eliminated at Chicago in the Column
bian Exposition in 1893. The records of our
Chamber show its fine standing as co laborer
in the work as attested by the able and dis
Itinguished officer named
Our Chamber aligned itself along with the
Richmond Chamber of Commerce and other
auxiliary forces of the South Atlantic States
in the efforts to secure the location of the
celebration at Washington. Not succeeding
in that, it hailed with delight the proposition
of the distinguished Senator from Virginia.
Hon. John W. Daniel, which he successfully
advocated, that brought about the grandest
| Naval Peviaw known in the history of the