Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-03-26
Tor Iht EE9ulrdr.
Rail, ROAD 70 YORK RIVER

Rail. ROAD III 1Ohh hlFER
The construction of rail road point on York
river is engaging the attention Of the Legislature and beg
brief space in your valuable columns TO present the views
entertained this subject by TINS seetlon OF
Within the last few wears entire change has taken place
In our policy on internal improvements. We opposed
originally all internal improvements because OF the mar
row, sectional and contracted views IN winch they were
planned and because thought the resources Oh lie State
would be FILTERED away in local improvements unnecessary
and vaucess At period have the people OF Underwater
Virginia underra, the value or srunk from Inc payment
OF their quota build TWO or three great ho!oughiareS
through the States for the experience Of their sister States
and indeed all history teaches that the people the coast
where produce is transported, the people who pnc
pally benefited by trade Commercial mas spring into
istence-lhe surrounding country becomes vast market
garden and population hastens TO enrich it with labor and
capital But much money is annually expended in mere
local improvements and the enlarged State schemes have
always been intimately connected with them that the
delegates from Underwater have been forced into position OF
sulen opposition every work of internal improvement
The Constitution, however, by requiring the present
debt be paid within thtv-seven years and all future
debts to be qudaed within hry!wo years from the time
they contracted will compel lis to stop the system OF
mere local improvements. When the money expended on
these vaueess roads is be raised in few years direct
taxation the people, oil over The State feeling the burten
OF the tax will enquire strictly into the votes OF their
senatvcs and discard them from their service unless they
show very clearly the necessity Of the expenditure and
the proftableness Of the investment.
IL il obvious TINT the great lines of rail road already be-
gun must be completed The State must sink the amounts
expended them. They cannot be made profitable with
out completion and sooner than the Central the Ten.
and the DanvlG roads abandoned, would extend
them on State account. Their completion regard as
fixed fact The faith OF the State being pledged them,
the absolute necessity the ground OF interest settles be-
You'd dispute the question of extension.
Now let suppose these roads extended what must be
The of adel The Central road will bring down
Richmond only the produce and travel OF Central Vr
gina but also produce Of those States washed by The
upper Of the Ohio. The Tennessee road penetrating
the delta of the Mississippi will bring TO the point the
unparalleled the marvellous produce Of the largest and
wcahies valley the surface of tho globe. And the
DanvIe road will bring TO the point is produce and
travel Now how is this immense produce reach the
markets Of the wordl Is II possible transport It down
the James river without great loss Of tne and except at
great expense The James river above City Point, is
scrpentne stream, which be made permanently
navigabe to vessels OF large class and from City Point
ordinarily il takes ship longer TO reach the mouth Of the
river than 60 Baltimore from Newports News double
the distance. Apart from the fact of Tightening produce
down City Point and the great of reshpment TOO
much time would be consumed In using the James as the
great artery for this trade.
Now nature has furnished with just adapted
10 our purposes bold deep river which will float
venty- fonr throughout its whole length aud which
easily be in communication with great depo-Rch
nout Even il the of trade is now, by unwise eGs
aon forced out of its proper channel we are satisfied that
eventually the York river conduct 10 Tie
When railroads completed and produce is damned
I'D in Richmond It will force itself throug this river Like
water il will seek its level by the shortest route.
We satisfied that the Legislature will the necessity
Of connecting the terminus of these roads with York river
We only fear that the scheme will fail through the conflict
ing interests Of different localities the river. With due
Difference TO the opinions OF Others respectfully submit
That presents advantages ior the
than any other proposed locality It's distance in straight
line from Rchmond is about sixty miles The country the
road would Is almost perfectly level requiring
scarcely grading; and informed that when This
surveyed, fifteen the cost Of cot,
strucng the road estimated the low Of $4,000
per mile. Half million OF dollars would the ex
penses inquired in building the road and the fixtures The
State would eypend s300000 the other $500 900 could easily
be raised by private subscription. 1t would be the most
profitable railroad stock in our country.
From Yorktown the river is az straight arrow. II
runs due east and any breeze would take ship in five
hours outside the capes Of Virginia The distance from
Richmond the capes, via James river is nearly hun
dred miles by the York river proposed about one hun
dred and by this there will be no detention. Still
greater advantages would be derived in the travel North
Ii would bring Richmond and Baltimore in daily communl-
cation The distance would be about hundred and eighty
miles.
The grea! end have in view Is present such advan
ages by our roads induce the produce and travel OF
the Ohio and Mississippi our State. OF course we
also have view development Of the OF
State by Offering facilities the transportation of lis
ducts but this may we'll be termed subsidiary the other
Now by completing this end of the road PROPOSE by
extending It's terminus Yorktown, SHALL both the
score of economy in expenditure and in time give
our roads advantages the TWO competing routes
by New York and New Orleans The produce from these
valleys be the wave bound 10 the great mar
kes of the world less cost and in shorter time; and
redo is obedient this great law Of cheapness and
facility Of transportation tho material world is 10 the
phuoi, 1ou.Cu rhi JtN A Eft.