Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-07-11
Editorial correspondence.-No. 6.


the Virginia Central Railroad which crosses it
line nearly parallel with the Richmond, Fred
eIcksburg and Potomac Road. The Central or
Louisa Railroad ran for long time in connection
with the other road, the latter doing the trans
portaLion for the Central, until the difficulties
growing out of these relations rendered separa-
ton necessary, and the result was the constuc-
ton of the Central from the junction to Richmond.
The Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac railroad
alleged that the grant of this charter to the Cen
trail a violation of its vested charter rights
and filed their bill in The Circuit Court of Henri
TO nioin the construction of the Central, and
annui the charter authorizing the road from the
junction to Richmond. The Court dismissed the
bill, and the cause was taken to the Court of APP
peas, where the judgement below was affirmed.
The company then appealed to the Supreme
Court oGthe United States on the ground that the
charter was a violation of a previous contract
made and sanctioned by the Legislature in the act
incorporating their company. The Supreme Court
sustained the Virginia Courts, and dismissed the
bill finally. Since that period the prospects of
the Central have been frightening, and now the
road bids fair at no distant day, 10 extend its
western terminus 10 the Ohio. 1t must ever be a
oiregret 10 Vrginians to witness the laggart
steps with which this road has been vending its
way since 1886 10 the base of the Blue Ridge.
Virginia failed 10 see her true interests and the
result must be that when her road finds the Ohio,
it will find little else to reward the hopes of its
friends and projectors. The great thoroughfares
of the West which years ago would have bent
their steps certainly to the Western terminus Of
this road, have been obliged to turn aside and
make their connections with other roads, from
other States, which more fortunate than slow Viz
ginia, perceived their true policy and are now
rcaPing the golden harvests of their energy and
enterprise. Still the completion of this road to
the Ohio is necessary for the development of The
country through which it passes, and we hope that
more than the anticipated good results will &C
crue TO Virginia from the late completion even OF
this great work. The road is now under the
charge of Charles Ellet, jr., as Chief Engineer,
and his known energy and ability constitute a
sure guaranty that this road will be pressed for
ward TO completion with all the activity which
can possibly be impaired to it.
Tie traveller passing over the Central road is
struck by the infinite number of unnecessary
curves, all of which have direct tendency TO in
crease the distance andthe cost ofmaintaining and
working this road, besides making the time reQui-
led 10 run the road much longer than proper. We
were peculiarly struck with the short-sighted and
curYIlinear location of the Central road from the
junction to Richmond. Over region of country
almost level, the trunk of the great Central, that
portion of the road over which should pass all the
freight and travel fronthe West, meanders around
the edge of the lcwlands as a stream let loose 10
fern its own channel, or the torturous track of a
serpent dragging lazily along. The distance is
thus increased, time almost doubled, and if the
road, when completed, fulils the expectations OF
lis stockholders, nearly the whole of this part oil
road will have to be Relocated and adapted to the
spirit of the present age OF travel, rather than 10
the snail-pace notions of speed which existed if
teen years ago. The rail on the road is mostly flat
rail, though much of the line between the juno
ton and Gordonsville is beng relaid with the
heavy U Rail. There is wanting on the road how
ever that degree of speed, regularity and minute
exactness in time, which characterize the Northern
roads. The time table may be kept, and may not,
and when not kept you have nothing to assure
that it soon will be. The engine sometimes comes
10 a stop on the passenger train, when with print
tive simplicity the train is backed and new start
generally, though not always, overcomes the diff
Guilty. The persons who have had charge of this
road, have much to learn and practice ere they
can put their line on travelling equality with the
Northern lines, still we hope that they may prove
adequate to the task before them, and speedily
make this road what its name imports, the Central
road of Virginia.