Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-02-11
~ I-I-1-lllFl1 49, y
FOR THE SPEC AToR.
RAILROAD UP THE VALLEY,

.Messrs Editors On the subject Of Internal
Improvement in Virginia, public sentiment seems
to be fast settling on the policy fspeedIly compile
ting some catholic system Of leading lines. A sys'
tenn which will! best develope The States immense
resources will soonest return the best profits on
her heavy investments; and, like that or New
York, may eventually redeem her whole public
debt, and provide the revenues OF government.
The present Legislature will, in all probability
adopt such policy will definitely determine up
on the leading lines, and make provision for their
early construction. First, perhaps, in importance,
should be the central line to The Ohio river but
second only to this, is another great line OF trade
and travel designed to stretch from The South
West to the North East, and which, as recon-
mended by the late New Orleans X. Il. Conven
lion, must finally become the great National thor
oughfare between the Southern Mississippi and the
Northern cities. But there is wanting in this line
vacant link which Virginia must supply. Ills
true continuous Railroad & steamboat connexon
with the Northern cities would exist ria Frede-
ricksburg and Acquia Creek, bu! by an increased
distance of70 miles over other proposed connect
ions, End liability 10 winter blCckades by ice;
which difficulties in the coming day Of competition
might prove fatal to the Virginia route.
It has been proposed, and urged too with COM
mendable zeal and perseverance, by its advocates,
to supply this vacant link by Railroad from
Lynchburg to harlotesville-cOnnectlng he va.
and Tenn Railroad with the Alexandra and No!-
,hern lines. But we think it demonstrate that
this connexion can be best effected by Railroad
leaving the Virginia and Tennessee Road near
Big Lick, 8, uniting with the Central near Staun-
ton. Either Of these links would be great gain
over any other, and must eventually, one or the
other be made, being with the Alexandra road, on
straight line, as near as may be, between Boston
and New Orleans.
In the decisan upon the location Of this connect
ing link, it will be seen, the region Of country IN
which your paper circulates, has deep interest
A brief and general comparison Of these alternative
schemes, will, we think, sufficiently indicate the
advantages TO the public, and the State Treasury,
Of this connection through The Valley over that
through the Piedmon, counties.
The entire distance from Big Lick, the probab bic
ppnt Of divergence Of these rival ronies, on the Va
and Tenn Rrilroad to Charlottesville, their point
Of junction on the Central Railroad, is perhaps
nearly The same being about l20 miles either way;
The length of road to be constructed may probably
be less on the Piedmont link, but comparison Of
the respective localities Of the two routes, will in
dictate far more than counterbalancing difference
in the cost of construction. The Piedmont line,
its whole length skirting along the base and over
the buttresses of the Blue Ridge mountain, and,
through country VIGOROUSLY billy and broken,
would doubtless find necessity for tunnelling run
ming, moreover, in direction perpendicular TO the
general course of the mountain streams OF that re-
gon, would also require much bridging and cuvert
work all bringing up the extra cost of this route
10 tall figure; and To meet this increased Gust, 1t
is supposable that there is little local capital need
ing such an improvement in that narrow strip OF
land lying between the mountain and James RIy-
er, and which.is already accommodated by the Jas
River and Kanawha Canal.
On The oiker hand, The rival route runs along the
great Valley of Virginia, parallel with its direct
ion;paralle with the ranges fhills and mountains;
and parallel with The general course Of the sreams
in short, what Engineers would call "natural'
route. Thus the Gust per mile must fall short OF
that on the Piedmont connection, while the local
capital desiring the improvement, would be con-
tfibuted by the wealthy counties Of Boetourt, Rock
bridge and Augusta, and thus ensure lis speedler
completion.
Blu, proper selection between these rival To-
cations is important 10 Virginia on yet other
grounds. Clearly-lhe Stale in developing "a
system" Of Improvements far her own advantage,
should take especial that each constituent part
should feed and nourish, rather than prey upon
iha, to which she had already given existence at
so great cost TO herself. Now the proposed route
through Piedmont would run as rival along the
North side of the James River and Kanawha Ca
nal. almost in hailing distance Of The South Sids
Rail road another rival on the Southern margin Of
the canal, leaving that already somewhat emaciat-
ed Improvement in still more forlorn condition.
MOI ca with tho valley yrnte. THE ran never
come into such thorough competition with the ca
nal lofty mountain range stands stern baEIler
-, L..uvun twU improvements. Inns
route iodeed might and doubtless would be used as
feeder to the canal by Transporting the heavy ton
mage destined for il, and Improbable to the V;rg.
and Tennesse Railroad, directly 10 Buchanan, and
there leave il to pay toll on The water line, 200
miles from its Eastern terminus and some gu miles
farther than carried by the Virginia and Tennes-
see Railroad to Lynchburg.
Again, the valley connection would send through
the Blue Ridge Tunnel the mighty tide of national
and local travel and u2ffc, which would traverse
this great highway and The SIs'es per cenlage on
which, to 30 paid by the central Railroad Compa-
ny under the terms of the act providing for me con-
siruction of The Tunnel, would soon reimburse !he
State Treasury for its heavy expenditure on tha
important work.
But the valley link would also be Of vast local
value. Its route was once the great thoroughfare
for South Western and Northern trade; themes
see wagons" were constantly passing and repass-
ing, laden with Northern merchandise or Southern
produce (; but now even Tennessee feathers" and
"dried peaches" have gone to find more favola.
Bile route to more friendly market. This I'm.
provement would restore our ancient traffic four
fold would accommodate an immense marginal
produce in the fertile Valley it traverses, and would
open our broad fields as new market 10 the gyp-
sum and salt of the South West.
But mure:-This great leading line, available at
all seasons of the year, would bring by our doors
throng of travel and traffic, which could not but
leave in our pockets many golden memento Of
its passing Considering The vast extent Of territory,
embracing almost the entire South Western States,
which would be tributary to this route, it would be
difficult to over estimate lis trade. II would be
constituent portion Of that line Of Railroad which
taps the Mississippi river at point where passes
annually S25, 000,0 600 Of wealth. II has been esti-
mated that not less than 100000 passengers will
yearly traverse this national line 80 soon as COM
pleted between the northern aud southern cities.
Suppose that each traveller stops but for single
meal while passing, il would leave $780, 600, an
annual tribute on our tables.
With such a brillian. prospect if they gain this
connection, and such an ifreparabe loss if they lose
it, surely it would seem needless TO say aught 10
urge our valley people to active effort to secure this
golden prize before it is wresed forever from their
reach. They should he encouraged to exertion,uo,
lulled into supinsness by he dvaniages they pos
sess h all perhaps save enterprise, their rivals
of Piedmont. Their Valley link is possibly shorter.
certainly far cheaper than the other 1T would fos
ter, not Illustrate the usefulness Of other State
works it would soonest be in successful operation;
and it would restore 10 its ancient natural channel
the commerce of oar Valley and give back to Lex
ington and Buchanon their birlrgh, of prosperity,
which they are bartering for mess of po!iage.-