Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-01-02


From the above staismcnt n Win be seen. that
to connect Siaunton and Sco,,sville by road hav-
ing maximum grade Of 81 degrees, il will b
impossible TO use moro than about 30 miles Of the
present turnpike between the places, even If the
projected work is identical with il in all cases
where, by a reasonable amount Of cutting and ALL
ing, il is possible to make it so; and II only Just
so much is used as, in the event Of an exemption
from the pay ment Of heavy land damages, would
recommend not more Than about Is miles Of il
will be adopted.
The cost Of constructing The road on the lins
which makes the least use Of the present turnpike,
MIR. Taylor estimates at $l69,793, and the nett
annual income or revenue, at Sl3,l37. This,
suPPosng the capital Of the new corporation to DO
100000, would pay an interest Of CT per cent.
per annum. Mr.. Taylor states the cost Of trans
porting barrel Of Flour from Stanton to Rich-
mond with the benefit of the proposed improve
ment, at GO cents, and the present cost Of trans-
portation from Stanton 10 Baltimore at Sc cents
showing saving of % cents per barrel in IA
vor ofthe Scotssville route. The freight and OF.
penses on 100 lbs. from Philadelphia to Staun.
ton, via Baltimore he gives at 81 ,25, while from
Philadelphia to Staunton, via Richmond, thew
would be but SO cents, making saving of 81
cents. His calculation is that the Valley Turn.
pike as far as Harrisonburg, would be made trib-
utary to the Scottsville road and the James river
Improvement
We here extrac. a few the concluding para.
graphs Of the Report:
A permanent improvement of the kind proposed.
by facilitating commercial INSTRUMENTATION.
is sure to stimulate into lively action every de-.
partment oil industry upon which il can be brought
to bear, and actually creates for itself new and
valuable sources Of revenue along its own line. -
Inc history Of numerous works in our country
shews, that where they have been made for the
sole purpose OF reaching up to and securing some
Desirable trade which had before no convenient
outlet, it has happened that their chief support
has been contributed by the business which has
grown up on their borders, and entirely in conso-
quence Of their construction.
And even ifthe friends of this road are ex,rav-
agant In their calculations Of its performances
even though for the first two three years of it's
operation it fails TO yield but half of the revenue
anticipated from it, there will, nevertheless, re-
suit from it great indirect benefit to those who
VIII make use of it, in The way of saving TO them
large proportion Of the amount with which they
are now taxed for the transportation of their pro-
duce. :
The county of Augusta alone having surplus
Tor market OF about 81 900 barrels of -four, and
exporting 1t at % cents per barrel less than is
now paid, will save in this single item nearly
$4,000, or about per cent. upon the cost of the
improvement.
In my comparison Of the merits Of the two
routes to market, have omitted 10 take into ac-
count the circumstance that Baltimore il gene
rally rather better market than Richmond for
Hour below the grade Of "Family." have done
SO because it is probable that the two cities will
soon be placed upon an equality in this respect bv
inc Increased facilities for shipping furnished by
Inc recent establishment of steam intercourse be.
tween Richmond and the north.
The James river and Kanawha company arc
lQon lu tnsAr Htzl: -. Al -
The Stanton and James River turnpike was
once their most valuable tributary; and it is evil
dent, from the great and rapid decrease in the a.
mount OF produce now brought to Scottsville, as
compared with that formerly delivered there, that
the canal cannot much longer look to this quarter
ior any Important contributions TO its income.
Ihe fact that produce can be conveyed from
Staunton to Baltimore more cheaply than to Rich
mond, is Of itself sufficient to cause diversion Of
the trade In that direction. And even though a
small portion of it should for while adhere to its
old course, 1t is certain that its interest will be-
fore long compel it to seek the least costly route
OF transportation; and thus will inevitably ensue
an entire loss of all the transmontane business
which once entered Scottsville, and the benefit of
which was shared by the canal.
LII this road be not made, ga, 900 barrels Of -four,
at low calculation, will be turned from the ca
nal and as the canal toll upon one barrel of flour,
from Scottsviile to Richmond is 254 cents, there
VIII result to the company an annual loss Of $780,
4O0 on this single commodity.
1t Is one of the few projects Of the day entitled
to be styled work of internal Improvement; and
1t is abundantly evident that its construction is Of
vital Importance to one portion of the citizens Of
the commonwealth, beneficial indirectly to all,
and injurious to none; and that the enterprise
may be embarked In with not only probability
of loss, but with certain prospect Of gain.
And even if an assurance OF pecuniary benefit
to the state is not of sufficient moment with her
Legislature to induce them to take part in the
scheme-there are higher considerations which
must ensure their cooperation in it.
Their patriotism is called upon to devise some
corrective for the want of harmony which has
subsisted for some time between the two portions
of the state geographically divided by the Blue
Ridge, and 10 stop in its commencement the
breach between them which threatens to widen
until it results in their permanent separation.
The construction of this improvement will be-
the best remedy which can be applied TO this un-
fortunate condition Of things. twill form bond
Of connection between eastern and western Vir-
gnia Of the strongest kind; for by establishing
commercial relations between the citizens of the
two regions, advantageous to both, 1t will unite
them by the fast tie of mutual interest; and by
giving them easy to each Other it will also
produce frequency and intimacy Of personal in.
tercourse, which cannot fail TO change their pee
sent estrangemen; of feeling into high mutual es-
TEEN. The national pride too, should be aroused
at the circumstance that the citizens Of a foreign
state, with enterprise commensurate with their
commercial ssgacity. are boldly reaching into the
very centre of Virginia, and aspiring to appropri-
ale to themselves rich trade which belongs OF
right to her own metropolis, and in the securing
and enjoying Of which by her own citizens, It
should BIO the pride it is the policy and duty Of
the state TO aid and defend them.
DORR CASE SETTLED: