The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-06
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IN LIGHTER WIN.


Mr.. Samuel y. Woods, Of Charlottes-
VILE, rises to defend the inhabitants OF
the Ragged Mountains against the charge
recently made against them that they
have not been "InAuerced by centuries OF
civilization"
The Ragged Mountains have been MADE
famous by Edgar Poe. and the impression
has gone out that the people who dwell
in that vicinity are a sort Of senli-eivi-
Iized folk. But Mr.. Woods who knows
them well, says that they will compare
fayorably with all that goes to make
up q moral and intellectual people In
any community Of similar advantages
He SAYS moreover that no section of Al
bemarle county within the past sixty
years has shown g greater degree OF m
provement in answer TO moral and intel
lectual Influences. These citizens, he
goes on, marry and are given In mar
rage, observe the prophecies Of life' are
kind and well disposed and discounten-
ance the violation Of law. They are hnd
and well behaved and given TO hospital
ity He denies that the cultivation OF
the soil is left to the women, and says
that the men not only attend to the
crops but cultivate them successfully.
And thus does he brush away the ro-
nance Of the story teller with prosaic
facts.
Neal Dow, who lived to be ninety-seven
years of age, was asked a short time be
fore his death The secret u his long life.
His reply was that he never worried.
The same remark is attributed TO Mr.
Gladstone and TO John Wesley and we
have before mentioned in these columns
that the Rev. Dr.. John +. Edwards, who
lived to a good old age and was bright
and cheerful to the last, in public ad-
dress on the occasion of his golden we'd
wing anniversary said that he attributed
not only his good health, and long me-
but his successful ministry TO the fact
that he had never fretted. the doctor
also made the remarkable statement that
never in all his life had he permitted care
or trouble TO rob him Of an hours sleep
but that whenever he lay down on his
couch at night, he left on the outside OK
the room every thought that could pre-
vent peaceful slumbers.
There is no doubt as 10 the soundness OF
this philosophy, the trouble with most
people being that they are absolutely I'M
able. or al least believe that they are, 10
exercise it. -
The Columbia IS ca State congratu-
lates the Charleston News and Courier
upon its conversion to the advocacy OF
State banks of issue.
The proposed system is growing In
popularity ana would be more popular
vet. if it were not so often misrepresent-
ed. Those who oppose it constantly re-
fer TO 1t as a scheme TO re-estapiisn
wild cat bank notes. and of having
throughout the land as many different
kinds Of currency as there are banks
In point Of fact the advocates Of the
State bank system have always insisted
that their issues should be amply protect
ed by the assets OF the bank and by good
securities and that they should be re-
deemablc in coin. They have also ex-
pressed their willingness that the system
be regulated by such national legislation
as may be necessary to insure safety ana
uniformity. They are firm in the oe-
lief. however, that II the proniDitory tax
on state bank issues should be moved
so that each state might have its own
system. the banking laws Of the state
and the natural laws of trade woulc
all that was needed TO give good safe
local currency that would respond easily
and naturally TO local demands, issuing
when the demand increased and return
ing TO the bank of redemption as the de-
mand decreased
The great need OF this country is
currency that will circulate at home in
response to the business requirements Of
the community.
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