The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-01-10
THE RAIL ROAD QUESTION.

BY the proceedings Of the OHIO Legislature, we
perceive that charter is asked for company to
construct rail road from opposite Parkersbnrg'
Va, to the city of Columbus. To this the citizens
ofthlsregion ofthe State totally opposed;for the
simple reason that the proposed road would run
almost parallel with the Muskngum improvement,
the Hooking Canal, and the Ohio Canal Now,
at the first glance, can be perceive thatif aroad
should be constructed as above proposed, the in
amount of revenue received by the State in the
way of tolls from the above public works, and con-
sequenty an increase Of our State debt and taxes.
Are the Representatives of the people OF this State
prepared to incorporate company to construct a
road that will, without doubt, increase our present
enormous taxes, and the amount Of our present
State Debt!
Atthe same time, that the citizens Of this portion
of the State are opposed to the construction OF
road that will run parallel with three OF our public
impro, ements, and consequently decrease the
amount of tollson the same by giving, (for 1t Is IN
fact mere gift) the tolls to private company;
they believe that rail road crossing our public
works at right angles, through the interior of the
State, would increase instead of diminish the State
revenue from those works. ' 14'
That the wishes OF the people may be made
known to their Representatives, they are going
to send upto Columbus, Remonstrances, similar
to the following, signed by thousands: 'E,
eag ~ REMoNSTRANCE. I5Ht %.
To the Honorable the Members the General is
senlbly Of the State of Ohio. ggr.H's's
We the undersigned citizens of Monroe county,
Ohio, understanding that charter is about to be
asked from your Honorable body, for the right of
way for railroad from the Ohio river, opposite
Parkersburg, Va, to the city of Columbus, and
believing that such measure would very materi-
public works, ,humbly demonstrate against the grant
of any such charter. Should your Honorable body
charter company to construct rail road from
Parkersburg to Columbus, it would run almost
parallel with three of our present public works and
would, in fact, render those works comparatively
valueess, by decreasing the revenue atpresent de-
rived therefrom. The citizens of this section OF
the State have been, for years, paying heavy Ca
nal tax, in order to assist in the construction OF
public works in other parts Of the State, which
are to them, of little value This they have done,
heretofore, without murmuring. But when a
proposition is introduced for the consideration Of
your Honorable body, which, if granted, will rem
der the improvements already completed, worth
less, your petitioners hink their prayers should
be heard. And further, we would respectfully
represent, that by the construction of road which
would cross our public works at right angles, the
revenue derived from them would be increased jim
stead Of diminished. We, therefore, demonstrate
against the grant Of charter to any company to
construct road to connect with the Baltimore and
Ohio rail road below the mouth Of the Muskingum
river Wewould further ask, that your Honora-
bic body inquire into the expediency Of granting
the right Of way to company to construct arail-
road 70 intersect the Baltimore and Ohio rail road
al any point at which the same may strike the Ohio
river; provided the same be above the mouth Of the
Musklnpum. dgia1 sSfsHhilAIs AholsBa