Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-10-15
The Union Line.

The Union Line.
Atlast, we learn, that the contract between
the Union Line of steamers and the Pittsburgh
boats has been concluded, and henceforth Vince
linz will be, as to the combination line, sort OF
turnout OF tOOOding place which these boats may
stop but cannot tauy long enough to take OF dis
charge freight. Acknowledging as we do the
right OF the owners Of this line TO dispose OF these
boats as they may deem proper, we shall not uou-
BILE our readers with an expression OF the teei-
ings produced upon US by this unwelcome news.
There has been no project connected with the
prosperity of our city which has more universally
met with favor at the hands of our citizens and
W INCH has as constantly and increasingly received
the aid and support CT the Wheeling press, and
for this line thus to be diverted from use and
interest and placed directly in the service of Pitts
burch is as notifying 10 pride as it Is desruc-
tive to our interests.
We have nolhng to say as to the actors inthis
Holy Alliance, and they doutless acted for their
own interest in the matter, and such they hada
right to do, but as citizen of Wheeling, and con-
Quoting press devoted TO her interests and proS-
perity, we should do injustice 10 our feelings as
citizen and prove derelict TO duty as an editor
did we not frankly point out to our readers what
We conceive TO be the necessary effects OF this az
rangement upon our trade, and the Improvements
connected with US. We have not been favored
with copy of the "mairimonial bonds and can
notspeak ez cqthedG as 10 the details of the union,
but in generalterms We learn that four boats OF
the Union Line and five of the Pittsburgh boats
will run from Pittsburgh TO Louisville, and that
three OF the Union Line and four OF the Pitts
burgh boats will run thence to st. Louis. There
Will thus be sixteen boats composing the entire
line 10 St. Lous from Pittsburgh. We understand
That discrimination of eighty cents will be made IN
favoro of passengers from Wheeling, and we pre-
sumo, though we have not heard, that similar
reduction pro rata will be made on freight and
shall consider the question and its bearings on
Wheeling with these points conceded, though We
arc of opinion that the so cents will prove more
Injurious 10 US than ifthere had been no diScrimi-
nation, as the boat influence would then have
been i'll our favor and the passengers would have
been invited TO leave speedily.
How then will this arrangement affect the inter-
ests of Wheeing7 1t is proper, before answering
this uestion, to state that have just been in
formed that the proprietors of the Union Line have
provided that the persons having charge of the
passengers and shippers 10 travel, and take their
freight through, instead of'stopping here. We
need hardly answer in detail the question propoun-
ded above, so obvious must it appear to every one
feeling interest in the prospertyo of our city
We are bound TO presume, and in so doing we do
no injustice to the Union Line, that their OtOn in
terest alone prompted them TO make this connec-
ton. If this be true, will not the interest of the
combined line still continue, despite Of contracts,
&C., to be the governing motive of their action,
and will not that regard to their own interest I'M
pei yes compel, those in charge of these boats to
use their utmost efforts to make passengers and
freight go through, and thus make profit to the
steamboats, of eighty cents on every through pas
senger, and pro rata profit on through freight TO
Pittsburgh Can any rational mind doubt this for
a moment, and is not the contrary action almost
morally impossibIel Suppose one of these boats
leaving Louisville with 200 through passengers
Is tin accordance with human nature TO suppose
that tie conductors of these boats will lose S160
willingly, when little exertion their cart will
take them on to Pittsburgh, and thus ensure $3.50
profit ON passengers alone? Will not the same re-
suit apply to the freight shipped from below, COM
ing East7 But another view. Can these boats
any, longer accommodate our freight trade. even
surprising the freight to be sent here and the boats
willing 10 take it3 How long does it take one of
these boats TO receive and discharge load of
freight, such as they brought here last spring.
Can they have the time to do it, and then make
theii proper connections at Pittsburg, Cincinnati
and Louisvillel Let some boatman, brewery mans
experience AM observation, answer so plain ques-
ton. We are bound 10 conclude that these boats
cannot, even if they would, be freight beats for
Wheeling, and we have shown that they tOillnOt be
passenger boats except for themselves and Pitts
6wgh.
What then is to be donel The answer is obyi-
Gus. Let new line be formed to run to Cincin-
natl or Louisville, which will bring passengers and
freight to Wkssing; and let the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad Company aid it, and make with it the
most liberal terms. We learn that good boats can
be had, anxious to enter the line, and such step
we deem most necessary to our city, and more
than vitality important to Baltimore. The Bali
more Directory have been too negligentint this mat
Ter. The Union Line would have Contracted with
them, but they delayed and were ready only when
too late. We hope that this board will one day
ipake up to the important fact that there are other
roads in the Union besides their own, and that TO
obtain freight and travel they will have to strugge
Ior it, and vigorously. Let them at once makethe
proper effort to regain their position, wen assured
that, however friendly the propietors of the Union
Line may be to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
Company and to Wheeling, yet that the same re-
gard for themselves which made them break with
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