Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-09-16
Editorial Corresponding Of the Times
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Sept. 18th. 1851

IOdu COukeSts TIC 4ueSllOIi Ill ISSUE IS tne pro-
posed county subscription of $4,000 to the stock
of the Richmond and Danve Railroad company,
whicn the advocates of the measure think will Sc
cure the completion of the road as far as the Staun-
ton river. The tax is opposed by considerable
party, with much warmth, and frequent public dis
cussons take place, with barbecues to refresh the
audiences. attended one of these gatherings on
Saturday last, at Wyesburg, in the slower end'
of the county, where the people are much divided
in sentiment. Some four hundred were coec-
ted. The speakers were Mr.. Thomas Cardwei
and Rev. Lewis Skidmore, against the tax, and
Messrs. VIM. H. Dennis, Wyatt Cardwell, John
Marshall and Isaac R. Watkins, in favor of it.
Although the weather was exceedingly unfavour-
able, the rain frequently driving most of the peo-
pie into the church, (the speakers being stationed
at the door, the debate was highly animated, and
at one time the excitement quite as high as that
we are accustomed TO witness in our most turbulent
city meetings. / am gratiied to state that the adj
vocates of the subscription have great confidence
of carrying it. A close scrutiny has been made
OF full poll of the voters BY gentlemen pecu-
lary we'll acquainted with their views, and it is
believed that a decided majority are now for the
tax, whilst the changes Of opinion are altogether
from the opposition. The vote will be taken on
the first Monday in October the county court day.
The result OF this decision possesses an interest
for the city of Richmond, which l apprehend its
men OF business have scarcely learned to appre-
ciate. This part of the State has hitherto been so
shut ont from market, in respect to all products
except tobacco, that its capacities almost un-
known. l hesitate not to express the belief that
the Danville Railroad will contribute more to in
crease the commerce of Richmond than any one
improvement now projected, except the compile
hon OF the canal to the Ohio. Its location deter
mines beyond question that it will be the main
thoroughtare of the great tobacco growing region
OF Virginia and North Carolina. Now Richmond
is, at present, the principal inspection point of
the two States, but the effect of this railroad must
De greatly to enlarge the quantity of tobacco in
spected there. The three counties of Charlotte,
Halifax and Pittsylvania, (Which would trade al
most exclusively through the railroad) produce
alone about $4,000 hogsheads, which, at 200 per
day, would occupy rs days in the transportation,
and, at an average freight of S. would yield the
company revenue of $4,000. But, besides
these counties, the road will draw tobacco from
Chesterfield, Powhatan Amelia, Nottoway Lu.
nenburg, Prince Edward, Campbell, Henry,
Fatrlck and four or five rich counties in North
Carolina Whilst the result, therefore, must be
to enhance immensely the advantages of Rich
mond as shipper and manufacturer Of tobacco,
the benefits of the railroad to this Roanoke country
are still greater. The $4,000 hogsheads of the
three counties above mentioned now pay from
Slo to $50 per hogshead for transportation, or
about $4,000 dollars, and on .abacco alone the
country will therefore save about 100000 But
tins saving of freight tobacco is moi hundredtb
part OF the gain. The exclusive cultivation of
TOBACCO has lamentably exhausted The lands. BY
preventing proper rotation of crops. The trans
Portatlon OF wheat from Charlotte county to Rich.
mond is now about forty cents per bushe, which
Is tanfamount to total prohibition Yet this
whole county is as capable Of producing wheat as
any part OF Virginia, except perhaps the red lands
OF A'oemare, and the sngularly fertile, but limit.
81, oasIn known as The "Green Springs" in Louisa
l hear of many farmers in Charlotte, who, in
consequence of the favourable year, have large
surplus OF fine wheat on their hands, Of which
they can make no better use than 10 feed it to
cattle.
he virtues OF that wonderful substance, Qua
no. are beginning to be appreciated in this quar-
ter, and when the railroad sha have enabled the
agrlcu urist to take full advantage Of them, thi,
valuable manure will be largely used Almost
every planter has already tested its properties
and ind the opinion is entertained by all that its
use with tobacco is even now unquestionaby
profitable. have myself seen lots with laro.
nounshing plants, which, before the application
OF guano, were so worn out as to be unfit for
guano at all. Intelligent men, hereabout, de-
clare the opinion that guano will more than
double the production of tobacco in all this re.
glon by at once restoring the productiveness of
exhausted highlands. AT the same time il will
greatly contribute to the benefits of that change
OF agriculture which the more general cultivation
of grain crop must induce
From themost authentic source am informed
that the present resources of the Richmond and
Danville Railroad Company exclusive entirely OF
Its new sock) will complete the grading of the
road to Keysviile, in this county, and the % miles
next to Danvilla, undertaken by Col. Townes
and will lay the superstructure TO the Junction.
% miles from Richmond. The $4,000 to be sub
scrioed by Charlotte, will make available $4,000
more the States corresponding quota, making
Sl2o.ooO' which will so nearly provide for as 10
make certain, the completion of the road to the
Staunton.
Halifax county is to vote upon her subscrip.
ton OF 100000 little before the Charlotte vote.
What the result will be | am unable to saw
though cannot suppose the people of Halifax
will long refuse to see their true interest. The
extension OF the railroad to the Stanton river
will throw upon Halifax d necessity which she
cannnt arn.d of Gni.hinnr thn rnnA ..:.l.