Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-02-05
From the Richmond Republican
TUNNELLfNG TEEE fsLUE RIDGE.
ROCKINGHAM.

We hope that the friends of internal improve
lnents will give favorable Consideration 10 THIS
measure. We propose 10 offer some considerations
in favor of it, and would hereby express our thanks
/ to II Ugh w. SHEFFEY, Esq who has represented
Augusta county, for some years, with great eff
cheney and credit for the important facts which a.
bundanty establish the advantages and value OF
this work,
In the first place, let lis look at the resources OF
the region which il is proposed to benefit by the
projected tunnel, and which is now entirely dest-
tute OF suitable avenue to market.
Aususte County by the census of 1910 had 9sl0
horses, q, 479 neat cattle, 1860 sheep, s2.445
hogs: il produced 1872 bushels Of wheat, 244,-
$50 bushels Of oats, 92,227 rye 1874 4o8 Of corn,
309t8 lbs. OF wool, 1857 bushels Of potatoes, Z,
e53 tens OF hay, sf4G,G 63 worth of butter, $4,000
gallons of Whlskey, $2S7, $50 capital employed IN
I merchandising and manufactures Of various sorts.
Rockingham had 1908 horses, 20, 1872 neat cattle,
1885 sheep, IS, 765 hogs; ii produced So 1917
47G,5St Of corn, 50, 2S5 lbs. Of wool, capital EN-
ployed in manufactures, &c, ss22J,O95.
Rockbrdge had 5,433 horses, l3,452 neat CATTLE
1881 sheep. 26,32l hogs; it produced 263, 1855
bushels Of wheat 249,8l3 Of oats, SO $50 of rye
504,6i6 OF corn, 81 ,305 lbs OF WOOL value of man
ulactured articles $l93,420.
These three counties then producedin the aggre-
gate SG32S5 bushels Of wheat. 1880 Of cats, L.
359, G38 OF corn and 252G79 OF rye-besides other
articles named above and others not specified
WOW lulfHeI through the Blue Ridge VIII give
vent to the whole produce Of Augusta to one third
OF that Of Rockingham and Rockbridge and to
large portion OF the produce Of Allegheny, Bath,
4, Pendleton, Highland, Poeahontas, Greenbrier and
Randolph counties. 1t is well known that the pro-
auctions Of the above named counties have increas-
ed at least ) to 20 per cent since 1919.
With such data is it unreasonable to suppose that
100000 barrels OF flour, that trade equivalent to
10000 tons 81 all other produce merchandise and
hive stock and lo,00o passengers would annually
be transported through the tunnel? 1t is proposed
by the bill for the tunneling Of the mountain, to
assess toll Of about 10 cents on each barrel OF
tour which will yield $4,000; abont IS cents
each ton OF produce and merchandise which will
yield So 500 and about so cents en- each passen-
gel, which will yield s. eco in all s24, 500. Now
these estimates have reference only to the present
productions OF the country to be affected. Con
stluct the tunnel and let the road be extended to
StauH'on. There it is met by the Stanton and
Pahersberg road extending into region which is
increasing rapidly in population, wealth and pro
dQctiens The rail road will extend It's stimulating
effects from 100 TO $50 miles along this road. The
Valley Turnpike, the Warm Springs Road, the
Free Road, the Lexington Road all terminate at
the same point. The great Northern Southern
Eastern and Western lines Of travel cross staun-
ton-a these avenues OF trade and travel viii feel
the e-gFng influence Of the railroad and will all
pour tributary streams OF trade and travel through
the tunnel
The cost Of the tunnel and mountain section is
estimated at about &ee00 eco The bill before the
Legislature proposes the expenditure OF not more
than Sl0a,0 00 year till tie work is complet ed-
Those who make the above estimate OF cost feel
justified in doing so, because q judicious and re-
sponsihe contractor has offered 10 undertake the
construction ofthe tunnel at $4,000 ers than the
estimate OF the Engineer. Let Virginia complete
this work, and she opens 10 the sea board the now
pent up trade Of one Of the richest valleys IN the
land--a valley capable OF doubling its population
and wealth in twenty Years, if outlet is Afforded
TO its productions. The people of the valley are
anxious for commercial intercourse with the East
Already has Augusta County subscribed $4,000
to bring tie Louisa Railroad 10 the Eastern Base
of the Blue Ridge This is powerful pledge of
her desire to trade with Eastern Virginia. We
learn from uhquestonabe authority that she stands
ready to subscribe double as much to extend the
road to Stanton and thereby bind herself by all the
ties OF lnterestto continue her Eastern connections.
Is not the trade thus offered to the East worth the
expenditure which is solicited
Again The construction Of this tunnel opens
the gate TO the Ohio RYer--to Cincinnati, the
Queen City Of the West
But We must defer further remarks to another
number.