Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-04-25
FOR LEGISLATURE
BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD

BALTIMORE X OHIO RAILROAD.
THE trade and travel upon the road would
BE- less il constructed To Parkcrsburg than 10
Wheeling, and consequently its income would
be less"
We promised, sometime since, to prove the
above, among other propositions, and as, in
doing 50 we should prove to the Rail Road
Company aud the business %conunrnity of Bal
iimorc, that they are " standing in their own
light" by neslecting to accept promptly the
Virginia law, and construct their road to the
Ohio under that law, we consider the propo-
sition OF some importance, deserving our most
faithful anu careful consideration. That we
shall endcavorto give it. If we can throw
any light upon the subject of Western trade
and transportation, we shall do so.
The present condition and almost necessary
advancement of the city of Wheeling, in man
uiacturing such articles as will find their way
into the eastern markets, over such channels
OF communication as may exist, is matter
that may be considered of but minor import
ance to the Company; yet we propose to state
some FACTS bearing upon that, as the capacity
oil this city for manufacturing, compared with
that OF Parkersburg or any point b, low this
on the Ohio river, has an immense bearing nm
on the revenue of the Company, and the trade
of Baltimore.
This work will cost millions and is NOT made
lor the moment, but for generations. 1t is
not made Tor transportation alone, but for
travel; yet the one is greatly dependent upon
the other. Travel and transportation must and
VIII seek those routes where business can
best be done, as il is for business that the ma
Jorlty Oh the travel takes place. The western
and southwestern merchant buys nearly one
half OF all his stock west of the mountains
His Iron, and Iron work, glass, cotton. &c.
ne buys OF fit'sbqSgs or Wheeling manufac-
IL is as necessary that he should go TO those
places as to Baltimore or Philadelphia. If he
can purchase at Wheeling he will 20 no far
ther north, but come there he must, as we
will show, let the railroad 20 where il will.
ii he can make his purchases there, will he re-
turn to Parkersburgh and take the railroad.
or will he go to Cumberland by stage. which
lie can do III shorter time and without any
stoppages or change of conveyance? He will
oi course, take the stage and the Companv
must loose his fare. Has MIR. McLaue and
his friends overlooked the very important fact
that Parkersburghhas no manufacturing no,v-
ef' ana Una nothing can be made of il, but a
mere depot? The population of Parkersburgh
would not probably increase one thousand nv
the termination of the rail road. because She
mas not manufacturing power; while that of
wheeling would b. increased tens OF tbou.
sands, by the fact that il would create am IN.
aucehleht Tor the erection of manufactures
mere, Tor the devclopcnlcnt Of MANUFACTURING
resources that are not eqtlallcd at any other
point i'm the West, il in. the Country. The
hrst oil those resources is the coal for motip.
Poioer. The coal of Wheeling and its vic;n-
lty Is inexhaustible Ii is in every hill. for a
instance OF miles, and located in the most IA
Vorapie position for manufacturing purposes.
being from fifteen to- fifty feet above the hot.
'oih laho' or sites ior manufacturing Withina
circle OF fifteen miles square around Wheel.
ing, there Is a surface of ten miles sou,re IF
coai, located as mentioned above. and ave,a.
ging SIX feet in thickness, besides other vein,
BENEATH not yet touched. OF course there il
mo danger OF a iailure in the supply-and the
cost must then correspond with the suppl, Tho
cost oil furnishing coal to a large number of
manufactures in and around Iris city will
vary from . TO Ia cents per buslIrl. I'm This
item alone thousands of dollars is saved to
ue large manufacturer, below The cost at
Pittsburgh, where the cost varies from 3 ia 6B
cents per busbel. The moment that ROAD
strikes the Ohio here, the merchant would
SeeS ms purchases here, the market would ~
brought home, aud capital and skill would
sex the locatfon for manufacturinp utrpo.es
nut coal Is not the only resource that Wheel.
ing mas That enters into the cost of manpC,c.
turing. Common and fire CLAW san,f go
stones, and linn, are All abundant.
The pro1uctiyencss of the soil is auo,bc,
matter That enters into the cost of manufac.
turing as the cheapncss of brcadstuG rod,,ey
the price Of labor. In this, the soil for eG,
miles ~ extent from this city is mnou,Iled
IN health, the records of mortality for ss,c,
years past in a population Of ten tl,ou.a,d
NJ and arou~l this city, show bat am animal
aSerdge Of lI3 deaths.
When these facts are taken in co,rcc,
WIN facilities Of transportation il, ,u d..
IONS throughout tle West from Obi. poio,
INC most sccPGcsl will b, convinced liza,