Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-05-30
The Central Improvement.

cumstances, to discuss the comparative advanta-
yes of the rival modes Of Improvement, proposed
for the great Central Line, west Of the town Of
Lynchburg. At the last annual meeting OF the
James River and Kama wha Company, new Pre-
sident appointed, who will, we understand,
during the present summer make critical exa-
mnaton Of the country above Lynchburg, and who
will be prepared to submit to the stockholders, at
their next annual meeting, the results of that ex-
animation, together with such recommendation,
IN regard to the mode of improvement, as well as
all appurtenant matters, as in his Judgment may
best comport with the interests and rights Of all
parties concerned. He is to be aided, too, in this
examination, by an intelligent Committee select.
ed from the body of Stockholders. Combining, as
the Board Of Examiners will, great scientific skill
with sound practical knowledge il is probable
that its decision, whatever il may be, will be
cheerfully acquiesced in by all the friends of the
improvemcnt-and that they will unite upon any
plan which, after the contemplated exploration,
those gentlemen may pronounce to be most be-
nehcial to the Company, to the State, and TO the
section of country more Immediately interested
IN its prosecution. For this reason, mainly, we
have desired to abstain altogether from the far
ther discussion of question upon which it is our
misfortune to differ so widely from gentlemen,
from whose opinions, on any subject, we could
not dissent without distrusting the accuracy of
our own-and more especially upon a subject
like this, upon the merits of which they are so
much better qualified to decide than ourselves.
We feel constrained, however in publishing the
first Number Of AN Eastern Virginidn," to say
that he entirely msconceives position, in re.
presenting us as opposed TO the Central Improve
ment Our correspondent, (whose essays we shall
publish with peasure,) has not, we venture to say,
given stronger more numerous evidences of
his friendship for that Improves ent than we have
done and, fortunately, we can point TO the re-
cord, we'll after the Canal reached Lynchburg
before, to establish the fact that although il has
had many ADLER supporters and advocates, it has
had none more Jealous or uniform. Have we
ever, on any occasion, expressed an opinion ad.
verse TO its farther prosecution This is not pre-
tended. Why, then, are we classed among the
opponents of the improvement For no other
reason than that we have expressed the opinion,
IN which confirmed by every days expe-
rIence and observation, that Rail Road is pre-.
ferdbie 10 a Canal. If this be evidence of hos
10 suggest that The Company itself stands in the
same category since, last winter, it adopted after
able and elaborate discussion, by a very decisive
majority, a resolution embodying the same OPT.
mon Ii is true, another resolution was subse-
quenily adopted, recommending the extension of
the Canal to the town of Buchanan but we have
not yet been able to perceive, if the Rail Road be
the better system Of Improvement, why il is not
true wisdom to substitute il for the Canal as soon
as practcablel The only plausible pretext for
ITS farther continuance, upon this hypothesis, is
drawn from the fact that nearly half million of
dollars have already been expended above Lynch
burg and that that sum will be lost if the incom-
plete works are not finished. Our belief is that
it is judicious to lose that sum than to e1pend
twice the amount in fruitess effort to render it
available. Upon this point, however, we shall
submit, with proper Difference, to the decsion Of
President Gwynn, and the Committee Of Stock.
holders associated with him in his approaching eI.
poring tour If they decide that the Canal ought
10 20 on, we shall acquiesce in that decision, and
throw no impediment in the way Of its prosecu.
lion. In the meanwhile, it is our wish land if it
shall be not necessary in self-defence, our deter.
10 abstain from all discussion Of the
subject.
We will only add word or two more at this
time. That Rail Road would be far more
than Canal to the Iron interest
Of the Valley, in the market which its construc.
lion and annual repair would afford for that ma.
ferial, seems to be too obvious to need remark
and that 1t would be equally advantageous to other
interests, if the cost Of transportation should mo-,
he enhanced, admits Of as little question. Tina,
the cost Of transportation does not materially diff
fer, on Railroads and Canals, even for heavy ar.
tcles, may be very cOnclusively demonstrated.
On the Reading Railroad, for example, on which
oa is the chief article transportation and up
On which about 100000 tons pass annually, it is
estimated "that three mills per ton per mile will
be adequate TO keep in repair the road and cars,
and cover all other incidental expenses, which
makes the cost halr cent per ton per mile, for
road used croiusiUely for freigh purposes" The
price Of freight on the Erie Canal 10 less than
upon any similar work in the y. States Yet il
finds successful rival IN this respect in the line
running parallel with il, and extending east from
Albany to Boston. We have before US an inter.
"sling letter on this subject from A. Whitney
Esq, Of Philadelphia, in which the results Of a
comparison Of prices for the transportation Of -four
on these rival lines, a, two different periods, is
thus stated
"on the Canal s7.lOO and 2 O5.IOO cents
per ton per mile.
Railroad II and u cents per ton per mile.
Z" Notwithstanding the unavorablo grade. on
this road, Il nPpoars IL price Tor Transporting -four
IL nearly 20 per cent. less than that charged ON
tho Canal" We might extend this comparison.
bat our limits, a. well az our intention 10 avoid
tho discussion Of the subject a, present, forbid.
In Mr.. whitney's pamphlet, too we find tn.
bic, showing, at glance, the comparative me.
rts In reference to cost aud productiveness 18th,
two kinds Of structures, as far as they have beer
eSamined"-ihst Is to say, by comparing all tn,
Rail Roads with all the Canals in New York