The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-08-02
THE RAIL ROAD.


We think it mot little surprising that so much
apathy prevails in relation 10 this matter
That the business of the town will he seriously
affected by the ceasing of the communication now
existing between and the country all are prepar-
ed to admit. All, who have given the subject any
serious investigation we'll aware that the
amount of money received in town by way of diff
ferent departments of trade and business must be
diminished and that consequently the interests of
all will he injured. Property holders here,
though not engaged in active trade of any kind ,
must nevertheless suffer by the falling off of bust
ness, for their rents must decrease, and the num-
her OF avenues for Investment must be lessenpd
while at the same time the pro6taheness of the in
veSments made will be diminished Why then
do not all, regarding the subject in ts true light,
act promptly with reference 10 it ? Is il not
false economy that would induce men to sacrifice
thousands when it might be prevented by the lib
eral bestowment of few tens2 We have been
induced to make these remarks from the fact. that
at the meeting of the citizens of Portsmouth and
Norfolk called on the Doth inst, for the purpose
devising for securing the vital interests of
both communities. as connected with the rail road
taken The object, which it proposed to at
tempt To accomplish was to prevent the control of
the Weldon Bridge coming into the hands of the
Petersburg Company through the agency of Mr..
Rives. This Bridge is under mortgage to the
State of North Carolina for some nine thousand
dollars. Mr.. Rives it is understood is negotiaf-
ing for the purchase of this claim. with view of
course, to play still farther into the hands of his
liberal friends. the Petersburg Company, who
have already SO freely pledged themselves to pay
him for his unenviable services as Corporations
killer. for their benefit. The amount of his com
pensation for destroying the important interests of
the State and her citizens, is, il seems. to depend
upon the blow he deals. It our road should be
enabled to 90 on, and continue, as natural advan-
tages would compel it to do, the successful rival
of that route, why he is to be paid hut little com
paratively, but, if he succeeds in killing the
Portsmouth Road dead, so to leave them with
out competition, to take every advantage they
please of the travelling public, to extort to the
utmost from their fellow citizens, without +" fear,
favor, or affection" why then the chvalrous slay-
er is to receive the lions portion of the Spoils
Give Rives the control of the bridge and there is
hardly possibility that our road should ever
again be enabled to succeed either in the hands of
the present or any other company. Hence the
importance Of preventing it by timely purchase
of the claim ourselves. We shonId then be the
owners of this property, which cost some hundred
thousand dollars, and if the present Stockholders
should not think proper to 20 on with the road,
we could most advantageousy sell out to
pany Of capitalists having the means to manage
the whole route in snch manner as to make it a
profitable investment to themselves, while at the
same time they would most essentially benefit
whole community by SD doing
Shall the said, and fch too, that for the want of
some thousand dollars we will subject ourselves
to the loss Of thousands Are those interested
afraid to act2 We are aware, that large respon-
si5ilities have been incurred by the Town Of
Portsmouth in her corporate capacity. With the
view Of sustaining this important public work.
But is this any reason why our citizens and others
directly and deeply interested should not act fur
ther7 Because the road has cost much. shonld
it therefore be thrown away for want Of com
paratvely trifing amonnt} We cannot regard
this, as the dictate Of wisdom. Let all interested
(and all are nteresled) pot their shoulders to the
wheel. aid to keep the control Of the road until
the next session Of the Legislature when no
doubt, if it be desired, the sale Of it will be au
thorzed The right Of way still remains in the
company, even upon the Carolina portion Of the
route. There will doubtless be found able
and ready purchasers and all may yet be well
Bot if those who should act, persist in inaction
let them expect to regret II ,Chen IL is too laie