Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-05-30

The city of Wheeling has always been regarded
as an almost Indispensable termination ofthe road
and, as II is understood. formed a principal induce
mont with the State Of Maryland and the city OF
Baltimore in contributing their aid to the compile
ton Of the work. Indeed without a reliance upon
tho trade from that point it is not to be supposed
that the city could have been prevailed upon TO at
ford the liberal assistance which the Company has
received from that quarter. In fact, therefore,, IL
could not be expected that an object 50 essential 70
the success OF the enterprise would be relinquish-
ed.
There were other considerations however, which
appeared to give a decided preference to the occu-
patton Of the Virginia territory between Harpers-
Ferry and Cumberland. Among these the trade
Of the fertile valleys bordering on the tributaries OF
the Potomac river; the avoidance Of any collision
with the Canal now SO far advanced in its construc-
ton, and Of other works projected as rivals both
to the improvements and trade Of Maryland, and
the vastly greater cheapness Of the work through
the State Of Virginia, were the most prominent.
II appea-s by the surveys and estimates, that the
d difference 10 actual outlay in money, between the
route through Virginia, and, that through Maryland
is not less than S2,0S3, 917. 5ut that in actual and
equivalent capital it is at least $2,625 400. lift
thi, be added the contributions from the State Of
Virginia, and the city Of Wheeling, amounting to
81, 1853, 420, which, had the stockholders aban
doned the State Of Virginia altogether, mus, have
been relinquished the difference in actual and
equivalent capital would be 81, 1888, 400.
Ga these grounds, and believing that by assem-
ting to the provisions ofthe Virginia act, they would
not only adopt the shortest and cheapest route, but
best subseIvc the interests of the State and city,
and of the stockholders generally, The meeting,
with the concurrence Of the representatives of the
stock of the State of Maryland and Of the city of
Baltimore, accepted the law"
From this it is manifest that nearly FIVE
MILLIONS OF DOLLARS are sAyed to the
Company by the adoption of the Virginia route,
unless, indeed, one million is to be subtracted by
the provision Of forfeiture in the act of 1886. This
forfeiture, and the alternative Of making Hagers-
town and Boonsboro' points in the location, consti-
trte the body of the odious and restrictive provi-
sions, which we referred to as existing in the Ma
ryland act of 1886. Without feeling the slightest
local or personal interest in This point of the con-
troversy between the pc nple of Washington Coun-
ty and the Rail Road Company, we cannot ina
CINE that an avoidance of the forfeiture would in
velye the Company in fraud, either legal or moral.
Wo we're not mistaken in supposing the Company
meant to incur the forfeiture, because we never sup
posed any such thing. We regarded the forfeiture
as a matter in which the people of Berkeley have
no interest, and only argued on behalf of the Com
pany, that the adoption of the Virginia route forced
itself upon then even if the forfeiture were certain;
and this conclusion is just as plain as the difference
between FIVE millions and one million. But we
have no idea that the State of Maryland will con-
summatc the injustice which she has commenced,
when her Legislature suffered this provision of for
feitme in the act of 1886. The Legislature must
again act, we conceive, before the Courts can, and
If even handed justice take place, the bright pros
pect for the million, and the laurels which Wash
lngton County will win in a legal controversy for
ita recovery, will fade together.
The forfeiture would, in effect, be a remunera-
ton to Washington County, for the benefits and
advantages. of which she is curtailed, upon a just
dividend of the benefits of Internal improvements.
Now has she not had her full share in the construc-
ton of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal along her
entire southern border2
The Torch Light concludes, and so shall we, up
on the point in our article, which presented Mar
%tinsburg prominently and especially in the picture"
viz: as the proper point of junction with the Penn
sylvania Rail Road. If Pennsylvania wishes to
compete for he trade fine Valley of Virginia, and
tho whole Southwestern trade, Martinsburg seems
to be the only proper point at which she can tap the
Baltimore Road, and if this is wished by the Penn
sylyania Company, Virginia will step into arena,
and compel the ful6lment, by the Baltimore Com
pany, of the ~plighted faith of Maryland. We do
not much fear that the Baltimoreans will be refrac-
tory on this point, but if we are doomed to be dis
appointed, as our friend thinks we will be, on bet
ter acquaintance, we shall most thankfully receive
the promised aid Of his trusly arm to fight shout
der to shoulder, and do battle in our behalf.