Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-01-08
WINCHESTER AND POTOMAC Road.


I. There has been no mail from Washington
since SATURDAY., and the Baltimore dfsil of Tues.
d4y failed TO reach Harpers Ferry in time 4of oar
train Whether these failures have been caused
BY the snow-sloim we have not learned, but pre-.
sumo they were although our cars have not
been pIe9eutedby the same agency from making
their nana time.
In the regularity oftrips, as well as inthe en-
tire freedom irom serious accidents, we have had
occasion to,no;lce for lug time past that our
>Rsitoad stands pte-eminent. We cannot re-
member an accident Tor the present year, while
we can igstahre several upon nPighborinR
routes. Has this happened by chance or by
superior manag cement We attribute ii TO the
latter.
Take fer instance, the accident that occurred
last thanksgiving day on the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad The cars were running around the
short bends little distance above Ellcott's
Mills al Tie rale of thirty miles per hour, and, as
natural consequence, the tender was thrown
off the track the fret passenger car was precipfS
tated over paecipice, turned completely upside
down and tie bottom STAYED completely onl, and
the other cars sustained serious damage. Foftur
| Raiely, no one was killed. This accident wa6
entirely result OF the irregular speed run upon
that road. The distance from BantnOre to Har-
pers Ferry is about eighty three miles, and il s-
made in between four and five hours, or al an
average of eighteen miles per hour. The dis
lance from Hafpers Ferry 10 this place is thirty
two miles and II is passed over in less than Twp
hours, or at an average of about eighteen miles
per hour, including lie several sioppages made.
The secret OF safety on our road lies in the uni.
form rate Of speed, and as the whole distance Is
performed in the same time BY this mode, il is ins
fnileIy preferable When we add to this the
considerations ofcopstant vigilance and care, su.
perior cars, more comfortable arrangements for
ladies', and The, polite and prompt attention paid
10 passengers, the balance struck is largely III
: favor OF our road.
In ngland. where the roads are wider, tbs
cars Of heavier build, the fange-of the wheels
deeper, and where every preeaution is AIKEN to
pr vent hindefances or accidents4o OF any kind on
the road thirty and even forty miles per li0ur-are
cone defed average speed, but ii is unwise to
attempt this rate In this country, until we pay
the same al,ention 10 The construction of our
roads and cars We have excPlled the English
in steamers and sailing craft. and, the only reas
son Why we have not surpassed tbfm in raiI.I
Ways i thai we have not made special efioTttD
d. so as VT q I'll
BY an arrangement which our worthy and eff i
Client President, Mr.. Clarke, has made, -four will
ibe hefealter transported OVER This road for tbs
Baltimore market at a cost Of eighteen cents, in
elusive o. depot charges This will reduce the
Whole cost Of trauspor alton from This place 10 Bali
timore to ,hHty-eighi cents The old charge wss
ferry one cents Our merchants will be enabled,
Therefore TO PIT fhree cents more into the wallet
Of the farmer for every barrel Of -four be hAulss
ID town Winchester Republican,.