Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-02-07
roR TIE SPECTATOR.
SOUTH WESTERN RAILROAD.


his proper that the several systems Of ln,erna!
Improvement before the public should DO thorough
" discussed in this way all will be sifled, the
less advantageous propositions no eliminated. and
finally that particular system discovered, which
will confer 1.-The greatest good the greatest mum
ber.n
In regard to rival routes proposed for alternate a
dopiion, this is peculiarly proper "A caim, consld-
crate, and liberal discussion between tho friends OF
zach. will best demonstrate which one, under all
the circumstances Is the better route; and then all
should be prepared to sacrifice individual prefer
ences-adopt this route, and with united energies
endeavor 10 promote the prosperity Of VIRGINIA.
Railroad through the State to meet the pro-
posed Tennessee Railroad extension, is now the
great obec. of Internal Improvement. 1t seems TO
he generally conceded that such a system. will he
useful aud profitable. But to accomplish it in the
hest manner two rival routes are 10 be considered,
and the more eligible one selected. The friends Of
either have been entertaining the public for some
time past with reasons in advocacy of their favore
respectively. The one is expressed by n bill before
The Legislature ior subscription by the State, on
tho three-iiths principle, to construct Railroad
from tho Tennessee line to Lynchburg The other
BY bill for the construction of Railroad from the
same poHt on tho Tennessee line to Buchanan
the Western terminus Of tho James River Canal.
The two routes will be Identical from Tennessee
to Salem, or Big Lick, in Roanoke County, where
burg or 10 Buchanan, is the material par; Of the
controversy
BY The aid of the ideas evolved in the discussion
60 far, we will now contrast the respective advan-
iogos to the public offered by these rival ernini to
holp us TO decide which one 10 adopt.
The main points ELECTED, are-on the one hand
in favor Of Lynchburg; because tho enterprise Of
her citizens, has been the means of having the sur
vey Of the route affected that they have subscribed
Literally to the work and that this terminus only
Will eiiectuay secure the benefits OF the improve
'nen TO Virginia, otherwise Baltimore would in
tercept them by railroad to Buchanan.
On the olhor hand. it is contended that il would
he bad policy for the State 10 run railway along
side portion of its canal aad thereby seriously i'm
pair the productvcncss the State OF its largest in
veslmcni that there is little validity in the objec-
ton that Baltimore will obtain the trade from Bucli-
auan direct.
With all Difference, we believe iha, candid con.
slderation OF these points rs developed in the dis
custom, will adduce the conclusion that the follow
ing positions demonstrablc
LIST. Regarding the effect on the Treasury of the
State, the buchanan terminus is the more desirable.
I'd. Regarding the present large investments of
the State, the Buchanan terminus is demanded.
3D. Regarding the greatest benef, TO the whole
State from this improvement, the Buchanan termi-
nus gives no apprehension, which tho Lynchburg
terminus would necessarily avoid, that this benefit
would enure directly to Baltimore that there is per-
haps less reason FOR such apprehension with Buch-
the terminus
Let Us first, shortly compare the relative cost of
mo respective routes To avoid being too tedious,
we will adopt the calculations and conclusions of "A
Vrgnian," in tho Richmond Times ofJanuary,
'ao-bocauso we believe the m sufficiently true for
general View, and moreover, as yet uncontradic-
ted. The surveys of Mr.. WIN. b. Thompson, un-
der direction Of MIR. C.. Crozet in 1887, (vid. 22
annual report of Board Of Public Works, PIP 1854 }
furnish the data
BY this estimate the cost Of Railroad from
LynchbuTg 20 Big Lick, "a miles, will be S ,092,-
~ while from Buchanan to Big Lick. % miles.
only 5000 ,3&6-;'iterence in favor of Buchanan of
S733, lOi! Again, three ,fjths (tho States share)
Of tho cost ofa Railroad from Lynchburg to Big
Lick, amounts TO sos, 455; Chs e~eoeds hc ,ricic
cost Ohio States share) of a'raiiroad from Buchanan
to Big Lick by the sum Of 1901 1921
The amount of the whole cost tho complete line
from Buchanan to Tennessee, will ONLY exceed
Ovid. a Frgnian the amount Of three fGhs orthe
entire line from LyGchburg 10 Iennessee-by
sn'n so relatively small, that the revenue arising
from the additional tonnage from the railroad on the
e:na from Buchanan 10 LynchbuIg. will alone
soon return tho difference to the Treasury. Bn,
since we see that Iynchburg's subscription--if as
much as 5000, OG-wili only be about the two ffihs
necessary 10 make tho railroad as far as Salem-
hence the two-n,hs necessary 10 make the remain
der of the route, must be raised along the line
Then il tins difference Of cost against Buchanan he
~ insupeTabie ibjecton, why might not the bill be
modified, and buchanan we'll as Lynchburp
claim and expect twofifths subscription along the
line from Salem TO Tennessee
The Buchanan terminus then must appear more
favorable towards the Treasury regards expendi
'ure, and also, shall see, receipts.
Before proceeding to tho second head I'VE would
observe that the argument appears to be answered
that Lynchburg capital is necessary to construct
4 x,l,l hot Iar
(3500,OO0) is not sufficient obvate the difference
In cost against the Iynchburg terminus The fell
low argument that Iynchburg enterprise should be
rewarded also fails besides. ii would be danger
Gus precedent to establish. Suppose. in the even.
Of The extension 10 Lynchburg 'in order TO reward
enterprise" that Richmond would then appreciate
The importance Of having a railroad down the to "
path Of the inefficient canal, lest railroad direct 10
Norfolk from Iynch5urg might carry of all the
trade. would not Richmond enterprise be at once
stimulated to subscribe more than 100000, and
make any quantity Of surveys? Then must the
State reward that enteFCiSe also, though at the pros
Pect Of her own bankruptcy.
Secondly, The interest Of the State demands us
10 consider another fact The public is dependent
on the revenues OF tho James River Canal for the
productiveaess OF capital by Investment in stock
sc, to the large amount Of Sc. 1905, Of which
the State proper IS concerned TO the extent Of Sc
I'D, $40. Now IL cannot be denied that railroad
from Big Lick, or Salem, 10 Lynchburg. would de-
piige tine canal from Buchanan 20 Lyochburg of
tonnage paying revenue varously estimated from
100000 10 100000 i. e. exactly in proportion
30 the tonnage which the railroad would supply.
wherever il terminated and in just such PROPORTION
would the revenue to tho State he Diminished
And larileT--the canal was only extended to
Buchanan on the faith Of a guaranty by individuals
INA, the heavy outlay for the extension would return
per cent to the State. But il the State itself ira
pairs this contract by constructing railway along
eide This varI Tension cnnlasgedlY havinm the cC