Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-07-17
TO THE PUBLIC.

deemed it advisable, for reasons set
forth in it, to issue the following circu-
lar, which has been sent specially to
such citizens as it is believed would de-
sire to unite with them in the object
named therein. The interests involved
are important, and publicity is given
to the movement by this publication,
extending an invitation to all who
favor the object to attend the meeting
to be held in the room of the Chamber
of Commerce on Monday Court day.
May 22nd, at 10 o'clock M.
| STAUNToN, VA, July Is, 1895.
Dear SIR:
AS you have been a reader of the
Staunton Spectator, you have seen
the announcement that Mr.. Richard
Mauzy, who has for more than 80
years ably edited that journal, propos
es retiring from its management, and
is about to dispose of the paper. In
consequence of his age and impaired
vision, he cannot, in duty to himself,
continue longer in the business to
which he has devoted his life, and
knowing of his determination to dis
pose of the paper, we share with many
the fear that this time honored jour
nal may fall into hostile hands, or be
lost entirely to US. Fearing that such
may be the case, we have secured from
him an option on the paper at a rea-
sonable figure, and propose to form a
joint stock company. to be known as
| the "Staunton Spectator Publishing
Company, to buy and operate the pa
per in future, provided we can interest
county and the City of Staunton in
the enterprise to assure success.
Our plan is briefly as follows
The shares to be $500 each; each
shareholder to be entitled to as many
copies of the paper as he has shares of
stock. The interest on $500 per
year is $3.50. He gets copy of the
paper as long as he owns the share of
stock and this will pay the interest on
the investment. In addition to this,
the earnings of the Company will, at
ter the payment of running expenses,
be divided amongst the shareholders,
and if the Company should succeed,
even reasonably, a dividend may be
expected.
We desire to state to those who may
be willing to assist us, that this is not
a scheme whereby any person or stock
holder, or officer of the Company re-
ceives benefit not received by other
persons connected with it. The Com
pany under the law would necessarily
have officers, but the plan is to have
these divided equally between the city
and county, and make the company
one of mutual interest formed not for
making money SO much as to perpetu-
ate journal in which we all feel a
deep and abiding Interest," feeling
which has been so well expressed by
|
language following, which has had
much to do with Inspiring the present
movement -
| THE announcement that the Staunton
! Spectator is for sale, will strike its devoted
readers with deep solcitude for its future. 1t
has for so many years been closely identified
with the prosperity and honor of the county
| of Augusta and the city of StauntOn that its
| been n -
Every citizen of either feels proud to claim an
identity with them, and justly So
The Spectator, for generations, has been the
exponent and organ of the great central
| county and town of the State. 1t has borne
on its pages the wise, learned and patriotic
sentiments of their distinguished sons and
| has constituted the educator and leaders of as
noble constituency as has ever fallen to the
lot of any political and country newspaper
The people of Augusta and Staunton have
| been its confiding pupils, who have illustrated
by the history they have made, the patriotism,
| virtue and intelligence of its teaching. A
| recognition and expression of gratitude rises
in the breast of those who have been so long
associated with the clean and bright pages of
| the Spectator, in the privacy of the family
! circle and the associations of the cultivated
and refined. The Spectator has not abused,
| but illustrated the constitutional theory Of
free press and followed the lead in spirit of
| the illustrious Franklin, the father and leader
| of American printers.
In its long career the Spectator has had but
few editors, and the property has changed
| hands but seldom. 1t was a distinguished
honor and carried with it great responsible
ty to edit the Spectator; to foster the schools,
| academies, seminaries and the benevolent Or
| carnations as they sprung up from time to
| time and advocate the location of the State
Institutions which are at Staunton.
| OF the distinguished editors we mention the
names of Gen. Kenton Harper, Joseph A. &
l.. Waddell, and r. Mauzy, whose labors will
| be gratefully remembered by the lovers of
pure literature and unselfish patriotism.
The apology for this scant allusion, at this
place and time, is long enjoyment of the
| advantages of first-class paper, which has
been the early mentor of our people and has
given them reputation for thrift, intelli-
gence and patriotism A history of this asso
ciate of our ancestors would be very accepta-
bic to their posterity and valuable contribu-
ton to the archives of the county and town."
Should the company be formed and
the SPECTATOR become its property,
we shall endeavor as members thereof
to have it proceed on the same con
sentative basis heretofore adopted,
making it an educator, and welcome
visitor to every home. We cordially
invite the people of the county and
city to join in this enterprise.
We hereby request all who feel an in
terest in this movement to meet at the
room of the Chamber of Commerce in
the City Hall building in Staunton ON
the 22nd of July, 1895, at 10 o'clock, N,
to consult as to the feasibility and
prospects of organizing the Company
Whether you subscribe or not, your
presence at the meeting is solicited in
the hope that the objects of this worthy
enterprise may be more generally dis
seminated.
A. G. GORDON.
r. S. TURK,
JAMES BUMGARDNER, JR.,
T. r. N. SPECK,
JOS. A. WADDELL,
JOHN. H. BADER,
ARISTA HOGE,
C. SHIELDS,