The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-08-05

The meeting adjourned, sine die.
ELI V. CLEAVER, President.
E. BALES, Secretary.
THE WESTERN RAIL ROAD.
A synopsis of the remarks of Judge Cowen
at the Rail road meeting at Uniontown, on
the 3oth ult.
Judge Cowen being called upon to address
the meeting, said that his only object would
be to present, for the consideration of those
present, such matters as seemed to him i'm
portant in connection with the subject of the
meeting. At this time il required no effort
to satisfy land holders remote from our prin-
cipal markets, that Rail roads near to their
lands greatly enhanced both their market and
their intrinsic value. His object would be
| to put them in possession of his reasons for
believing that stock in the contemplated
road would be good stock. The owners of
lands along the route may take of the stock
and advance their interests, though no divi-
dends should be realized from it.. There are
some others besides the owners of lands along
the route, who would derive advantages from
the work, but we cannot expect from such all
the funds necessary to complete the road, g.
to insure success it is important to show
that the stock in the road will command rea-
sonable dividends. Will the stock be worth
its cost!
They all knew the character of the country
from Bridgeport to Coshocton, and some
thing of its exports and Imports. He under
stood the proposed route to commence at
Bridgeport, opposite Wheeling, the termin
Of the B. g. o. and the Hempfeld r. Roads,
and to ascend the valley of Wheeling creek,
passing near the town in which they were,
to the summit between the waters of Wheel
ing and Saltwater creeks to a point near
Flushing, thence near Freeport, thence to a
point near New Comerstown, in Tuscarawas
county, and thence to Coshocton, distance
of about 60 miles.
This route has been reconnoitred by men
of experience. and much of it has been sur
veyed and compared with other practicable
routes in this part of the State, its grades and
curvatures are favorable, and its cost, it is
confidently believed will not exceed $4,000
to the mile. He looked to this as the most
direct and advantageous route from the City
of Wheeling, the terminus of two important
Rail Roads from Eastern cities, to the great,
growing and fertile North West. Rail roads
constructed and constructing and authorized,
and likely to be made, will extend this route
to Mt. Vernon, Mt. Gilead, Marion, Lima,
Kenton g. Van Vert, to the State line west,
thence to Fort Wayne in Indiana and on the
Wabash Canal, thence to the great and rap
idly growing City of Chicago, and thence to
the Upper Mississippi.
by reference to maps it may be seen that
good road on this route, we'll conducted,
would be preferable to any and all rival
roads as line of connection between this
immense North west and the Atlantic Cities
Other important connections would be form
ed by means of Roads made, and to be made,
| connecting with this route. By its connec-
ton with the Steubenville g. Indiana Rail
Road, it will be favorable route from the
Ohio River to Columbus. A road will prob
ably be made from the Lake shore to New
Philadelphia and thence to Freeport, which
in that way would give TO us direct con-
nection with the Lake country. There is
now in operation road from Mt. Vernon to
Sandusky City; there connecting with the
Lake Shore road, the line of travel from New
York and Boston, and intermediate points,
and Chicago. Another road from Maysvile
Ky. to Pittsburg, will pass Freeport.
The through travel and freight to be Sc
cured to the proposed road by these connec-
tions, with the business from the fertile
country through which it will pass, when the
probable cost of the Road is considered, place
it beyond doubt that the stock in this road
will be worth more than its cost, when the
road is completed. Roads in the Eastern
States that have cost an average of $4,000
to the mile have divided about per cent
per annum, as an average. This road with
the average business of the New England
Roads, costing but $4,000 to the mile, void
divide IL per cent.
And now, said he, what have those on the
line from Brdg eport to Coshocton to do to
insure success! Sixty miles of the road,
costing $4,000 per mile, will cost $1,000
900. OF this sum let 100000 be raised a
long the route, and that promptly, without un.
necessary delay. This done, and it is conf
dently. believed that the remainder of the
stock, necessary for the completion Of the
work, can be obtained without serious diff.
Guilty.
He advised prompt, decisive action. In
his opinion this would insure success. The
amount proposed to be raised along the line
would not be oppressive on the citizens. Let
the effort be fairly and fully made, and if un-
successful, he would be satisfied to abandon
the enterprise, and let the business of the
country be done on other roads, very certain
to be made, on less favorable routes than this
If this is much longer delayed.
:. He spoke of other proposed roads, with Q
view to supplying this link in the line o.
travel from the North West to the Atlantic
cities, and in view Of these he deemed it i'm
portant, perhaps essential to success, tina
f there should be no further delay. Delay wal
certainly dangerous, perhaps would be fata
to the enterprise.
| For the Chronicle.
|