Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-16

| To the Senior Editor Of fAs WAix.
sr-four reluctance TO discuss this time the "com.
paauvo advantages of rival modes Of propos-
ed Tor the great central line West Of Lynchburg accom-
panied by pledge Of your acquicseencc in the decision
the new President and Stockholders OF the James River
company on that mooed question, (Which both fair
WISE, incline also very strongly forego the promis-
ed renewal VI tho subject present. intended when
addressed to you the rst number Of the SERIES which
Peared IN the Wing Of the 30th May. In awaiting how
ever the future action Of tho competent authorities in the
promises aud conhdng do, with YOU in their nclna-
uon anu ABILITY TO do Justice to the great public interests
IN the selection OF the most efficient plan Of pushing on tho
great line Of communication with our Western waters, 1
must be permitted to file my dissent TO tho fusion
you shu urge, that RAILROAD, and not Canal in tho
most beneficial mode OF improvement beyond ynchburg
hold that nothing has been fully demonstrated by
he results o actual experiment than the decided superior
NY OF water over land carriage OF any description for the
ranpo tatoR Of heavy tonnage IL freely admitted in
deed that canals successfully compete with mil
roads Tor travels and the reason is obvious for celebrity Of
motion Is the great dcsdcramm with of those
who travel On the other hand the railroad champions
ought 10 have the candor admit that this
Is OF no moment Tor the transportation Of heavy tonnage
Ihsre certainty safety, and economy the only objects
OF Importance, and all these eecuay
on canal than they can be- under known Of cost
and economy in the Of railroads IL il NOT
because OF the weknown diversity OF design and accom-
modaon by these respective modes OF Improvement thai
IN England and Belgium and the State OF New York rail
roads and canals constructed side by side the ON, Ia,
passengers, the other for freight II railroads furnish s
peror facilities as you argue "even for heavy arcles
why do not these canals fall into dsuSei That not So
As TO any statistical comparison of COST producuyeness
Re-, OF these modes Of improvement in given State or
district, nothing is unsatisfactory and
because there are, invariably, in each case certain ec
ments OF difference which embraced in the con-
trust Some railroads becoming thorouR and en-
crossing an immense travel and do, on that account
afford to carry freight at lower than some canal
routes, which little travel is found TO augment
their revenue The assertion may be safely that
IN no single instance freight transported more cheap
y on railway than canal, between tho same or smi
lar points IN which the may be directly traced TO
causes which are peculiar and accidental aud which there
fore are unsafe for general results
The main object OF the improvement above Lynchburg
is well known, Is to accommodate the immense trade
which VIII seek, through that medium, market
The travel on this line is looked mere incident
Other and rival routes which already opening the way
Tor the most expeditions transportation Of passengers from
the South Weston States TO the Atlantic seaboad will
continue TO multiply attractions and facilities for this travel
which cannot now, this late day. be successfully sun
piled by the James River and Ranawha route Virginia
unfortunately has realized the fable terrapin and the
hare with greatly superior advantages she has
IN supineness and inacon whilst the slow steady pro-
gess OF less favored competitors is about bear them TO
the goal She Just beginning herself from the
stuPeiacuon which has long parayzed her energies If
Indeed she be yet fully awake and only hope by
the union and diligence of her sons share in the partial
fruits OF enterpZe the which, by ordinary
and timely exertion, she might have monopolized But /
iorbear 10 urge the theme at present.
AN EASTERN MAN