Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-09-29
o q r RAILROADI
The Question Settled,

:" Resolved, That the central Southern route. by
Rockfish Gap. be adopted, that being ascer,ained.
by careful survey, to be point of the Blue Ridge
suitable for accommodating the trade of the Valley
Of Virginia. having regard not only to the facility
and economy of approaching the mountain, but also
OF crossing it, and to its ultimate extension west
ward" or northward to the town OF Harrsonburg.."
The above resolution of the Louisa Railroad
Company, adopted on Saturday last by the decis
i've vote Of 1918 to AZ, jus,fes us in ASSURING OUR
readers that the question about which they have
been so much interested for several months past is
settled, and that the Railroad is ours.
This result, so important to the interests of our
County, has been obtained under circumstances
which render it peculiarly gratifying, From
Rockingham, and the other Counties ihtefested in
the rival route, we OF course expected opposition
and while in the good humor which attends sue
cess we feel amused at the variety and novelty of
the eXpedlents resorted to in order to excite the
people of Rockingham to action. we must acknow
ledge that when aroused they displayed an energy,
an industry and liberality worthy of the subject
and worthy of imitation by our own people. To
such adversaries we could wish success in be tier
cause.
There WERE however, other influences, metro
poIitan and official, against which we did not ex
Pect to be obliged to contend, and the defeat of
which, we must confess. adds a spice and flavor to
our victory. The people of Richmond, without
waiting to learn the result OF the survey which
had been made, went to work to forestal inquiry,
and II possible, to carry the question against us by
storm. Enchanted with the prospect of heading
OIL the trade of Baltimore, they seized their mans
and with rule and compass laid out al easy grades
a Railroad into the very heart of Rockingham. In
utter contempt of mountains which they never saw.
they punched holes in them as though they were
dealing with tide-water sand hills. They made
observations and surveys in their compiling houses
and estimates in their ledgers
We hoped that all this would be set right bv
the Report of the Engineer, but to our surprise
they only became more rabid. 1t was in vain that
MIR. kuper told of insurmountable precipices and
"hpehetrable rocks-their eyes were fixed upon the
beautiful valley of Linville's creek, and already
they toasted in imagination upon Mr. CHRrsMAN's
butter and cheese; and when, in sober earnest and
In plain English, the Engineer pronounced the
Northern route lmpacticable, they charitably gave
him his choice whether to be considered knave or
fool. Fortunately for us, however, Richmond had
not the decision of the question, and now that we
saws o'rften hor, Wo romombor her course i'm the
matter more in fun than anger
There is another part of the history of this oues-
'ioh winch deserves more serious notice not nm
because OF Its bearing upon this particular case
OUT because, If permitted to pass without lust
censure, il may furnish precedent dapoerous to
the interests OF every joint stock company in which
the State is interested
Inc Board of Public Works. composed of hioh
functonarles of Government residing at Richmond
nave claimed and attempted to exercise a control
over the State proxy, in the management OF the
Louisa Railroad, thereby arrooatino to tbemsevos
q ike authority In regard TO every similar company
IN the State Not content with this they have
caused their determination to be made known
through the public newspapers. thus bringing their
official position and influence to bear upon the
minds OF the public, and providing for a failure in
this attempt they have declared that they hold the
Keys OF the treasury, and will not open it except
Tor the plan of their choice
Inc questions presented by this action OF the
Board OF Public Works are too grave to be consid
cred at the close of this article they will most
probably become subjects for judicial exposition. and
we would merely ask for them the serious consider
alton OF the public, as questions, which, if not now
OF Importance to the whole State, bid fair to be-
come so at no distant day.
Of one thing, however, the Board of Public
Works may be assured, zoe ,cU hare the n.oney if
there IS q poocer IN the State greater than then.