Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-05-02

Thu objection2 In this connection we will state
that this is no new principle, but one which has
long been acted on and sanctioned by own as well
as other Legislatures. Wheeling has taken $780,
600 of stock in the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road
Company; Richmond 100000 in the Danville
railroad; Alexandria 100000 in the Gordonsville
and Alexandria railroad CINCINNATI ST. 900 900 and
St. Louis $500, 900 in the Great Western railroad
and IN all these cases mere majority votes Of the
people to be taxed carried the subscription.
Third-It is urged as an objection by few, we
trust very few, that the railroad should be stopped
at Waynesboro'; because if extended to Staunton,
1t will after while be extended farther West, till
1t reaches the Ohio River, and that then the flour,
corn, pork and other produce of the teeming West
will find an outlet to market, and thus the price Of
our staples will be reduced. Before noticing the
objection, we will say that the prospect unfoded
our minds by the mere statement of il, is a most
glorious one and with rapture would we hail the
day which should dawn on the union of the high
ways and inland seas Of the West with the seaboard
| Of tho East We say open wide the channels and
let the produce Of the West come through our Dor
ders and TO our cities. I, will build up those Cities
enlarge our commerce, bring capital into midst,
give activity to manufactures and increase our
population. These results follow elsewhe,e-they
would be the same in Virgins. But the objection
seems to pre-suppose that the flour and produce of
the West does not nO,o find market in the East.
This is not the case. The flour made in the Mills
|
to the same market with the flour made at the Mills
Of Smith, Cochran and Swoope, in Augusta. And
what is that market? 1t is the market Of the world
Where is the price of flour and produce fixed AT
Boston, New York; Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Richmond and it is fixed in those cities by the de-
mand of the world. The produce will and does
como in some way. The cheapening OF Transport
tation can have no effect OH the standard of price,
Let us illustrate cur idea The farmers Of Augusta
now pay say, ST. 25 per barrel to get their flour to
Richmond. Should the railroad be extended to
Staunton, the cost would be reduced to, say 60cts
barrel. Here the farmers would save 65 cents
| barrel on flour. But would that lessen the price in
Richmond and njure the farmer James River?
Surely not. The Encouragement in favor of cheap
transportation would lose its value, il, with the re-
duction OF charge on transportation, the final or mar
ket price of the product were in like proportion re-
duced. II is obvious that the chief effect of cheap
transportation is to benefit the producer by enabling
him to pocket more than he could otherwise of the
market price Of his produce. 1t is well known
fact that at New York. the greatest -four market in
the world, the average price Of flour ranges from Is
to 20 cts. barrel higher than at the other cities on
the Atlantic. This results from the fact that in that
city immense capital is centred. 1t is manifest that
witha large capital engaged in trade, merchant is
content with small rates Of profit, s. can afford when
he has competition, to pay higher prices than the
man with small means. So it is with cities. There
10 no surer law than that capital will meet trade at
that point where it passes from the hands of the do
| mestic 10 the foreign buyer. To open highway
OF trade then between Richmond or Norfolk and
Cincinnati, will only make Virginia city point
OF large trade, and consequently bring portion of
! the capital now employed elsewhere in the same
traffic to own State.
Fourth is objected that the railroad will be
injurious to the Millers of the County. This OBJ
lection IS based upon the idea that the road would
benefit the. farmers by enabling them to get their
| 'cheat to market on better terms than they could
send their flour. II is obvions that nothing but
quicker sales and higher prices would induce the
farmers to send to market wheat instead of -four
| We do not think, however, that generally much
wheat would be marketed. Our pursuits and wants
differ greatly from those of the people of Eastern
| Virginia, who send their wheat to the Richmond
City Mills We are not only an agricultural, but
a stock raising and stock fattening people. The
culture Of rye has almost ceased in our county oats
and the Off falls of wheat constitute large portion
OF the food for horses and stock. We must haze
the otFtaAS. What follows Why, that as a gen
| eral rule, the farmer will either have his wheat
ground as now at the mills will sell to the mil
leTs here and buy the pitfalls AT any rate, the
farmer, with the railroad running through the coun-
| ty, will have not only choice of markets, but
choice between different modes of sending his pro-
| duce to market.
Fifth.--The fifth and last objection we shall no
tice is that the tax will be burden. 1t is proposed
that the County shall subscribe for $40 600 of stock
to be paid in instalments of 81 900 year. The
present land tax OF tho County is in round num-
bers $4,000. The increase in the amount each
freeholder wouio have TO pay for the railroad
annually would then be only two thirds ofhis pres
enl land tax. The farmer whose land tax is So
would pay 81 for the railroad-if his land tax is
So, then 81 for the railroad and SO on. This pay
ment for the railroad will so soon as the sub
! scription is paid. No power continue it any
longer. What then will be the condition of the
farmer2 Why, jointly with the other freehoders
Of the County, he will be the owner of $50 900 of
stock in the Louisa Rail Road Company That
stock now yields nearly six per cent, when not
| barrel of Augusta flour is carried ON it. Open
way for it to the centre of this rich County and who
can doubt that it will be six per cent stock Six
per cent. on $4,000 is 81 200, which is one fifth
ofthe land tax. This ST. 200, according to the law
will be applied to the dinnuon of the land tax of
the county. This sum will annually be paid to the
Sheriff and that officer will be directed to collect
only four-ffths Of the assessed tax on the lands
So that Mr.. A., whose land tax is now S., would
then only pay 81 tax and Mr.. b., whose tax is now
S2O would pay SIC, and SO in other cases. In other
words the farmer will just be receiving six per cent
on his money advanced. This then is no tax, but
loan; and loan at the highest rate of interest,"
What then becomes Of the idea that the tax Gas it
is caled) will be burdensome? But is six per cent
on the advance, the only profit? Far from it.
And this brings 10 consider the arguments in ia
rr of the proposed subscription.
First, then, we urge as reason why the sub
scrptlon should be made that there is no other mode
| OF securing the extension and Of giving the whole
| County the advantages Of the road. Unless the
County will take $40, 900 ofhe stock, the subscrip-
ton will be too heavy for those who will have it 10
bear. Make the subscription and the residue OF the
stock tpiH be taken and the road be made.
| Second. Extend the railroad to Stauntonand good