Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-10-19
rho Central Railroad.

'ioH, VIII lHc request iOT Tic WdICutW ouu ""''
senger to copy. We cheeriully give place to i
as an act Of justice to Col FoNTAINE, as well as
to place its statements before the public:
RICHMOND, Oct 7, 1853.
Dear Sir:-Your letter of the Ord is received
in which you give me an account of feeling Of
dissatisfaction in your county as to the admins
tration of the affairs of our Railroad. man with
as much experience as have, would not expect
any public officers or set of agents to give unlyer
sl satisfaction, but the public seem to extend less
charity to us than usual and am sure in such a
community as yours, that would not be the case i
they were informed. H
You who are not disposed to do injustice, ac-
knowledge the force of certain facts reclied IN
former letter. aud think laid before the public
would re- train growing dissatisfaction; have
no doubt of it, because the complaints have no JUS
foundation, on which to rest and yet feel del
icacy which forbids my appearing in the newspa'
pers, as it might seem to plead my own cause
and if my friends cannot manage 10 let the truth
be known through the press, or some other way
50 far as it affects me, must suffer for the want
Of information, among people whose yerdc'
would be just one, ii they knew the facts Bu'
it is not alone that am to suffer, but cur great
enterprise is rot only destined 10 feel the Influence
of discord and d;ssenson in councils, but mis-
chief has already been done as the loss OF many
votes for The subscription is attributed to the I'M
just imputations on the management OF the work
One complaint is, the "tardiness with which
the work approaches the county" Ought we to
be blamed for not getting the road into operation
to Stanton, when the unfinished condition OF the
Blue Ridge Road arrested us II miles from
Waynesborough2 We reached Mediums River,
which was as far as we could get until that work
progressed, in November last. nearly IL months
400. Although unable to use the road from
Waynesborough to Staunton, we have not been
idle and inactive We have 80 miles West OF
Staunton nearly ready for the rails; all this has
been done, when our Treasury was almost with
out funds. and when not only the credit OF the
Company was strained to raise the deficiency. but
the private resources Of The members of the Board
were called into requisition. Any rejecting man
will know. even if there had been any motive to
put car, on the Waynesborough and Stanton sec
toin and an attempt had been made 10 push the
work, that when you have not the means to pay
contractors promptly, it is vain to attempt to force
them.
A considerable deficiency for that section had
to be raised after all the capital applicable to 1t
had been exhausted | think that deficiency will
be at least 10000.
II is true that the promise to reach there in July
has failed that promise was made, expecting the
Blue Ridge Road would have been finished to the
Little Tunnel at that time. The laying OF the
track was delayed by the failure OF contractors IN
the county to furnish ties but if it had been finish
ed, of what use would it have been, while we
were blocked up at Mediums River, and ,riH be
for some time 10 come, by reason OF unexpected
difficulties in completing that work.
We are censured for Hardness and ,cant Of en-
ergy by some, and by others for being too anxious
and impatient 10 reach Stanton. Seeing that we
could not hope for the completion of the Main
Tunnel for several years, the first plan was to
have portage over the mountain, as soon as the
Blue Ridge Road was 50 far finished as to leave
only few miles between the Railroad on the
East and West side. Our object was to get the
rails laid to Staunton by the time that state of
things occurred, and accordingly contracts were
made for hauling the iron, and also for laying
the track by LIST July. Subsequent to these
proceedings, viz: on the 9Th July, we ascertained
that temporary track could be lard over the top OF
the mountain, and now we are censured tor IN
curing the expense Of wagoning iron over the
mountain
tits forgotten that this was measure, when
determined on, that was indispensable for reaching
Stsunton at an early day. TO say nothing OF the
existing contract requiring US to continue wagon
ing the iron, suppose we had to begin hauling the
iron for the Waynesborough and Staunton section
after the temporary track is completed, would we
not be more justly liable tothe censnre OF judcious
men? That course would inevitably have post
s ,l oil 10 aurtnp mt
The Sprjno as the work Of collecting and disirlbu-
,inp ties and iron, and laying the track, would
have occupied the remainder OF the Winter. after
the temporary track is finished. Our plan now is
(the road being completed TO StauntUn) to endeay-
or during the Winter to lay the rails 10 Buffalo
Gap.
In reference to the complaints that the interests
of the COMPANY have suffered seriously from the
blunders OF incompetent Engineers nave
enouired of Mr.. Elicit. and more particularly a.
bout taking up the track. tie writes me IN an
syycr "a slirht error was it is true. committed IN
setting the pegs for the track layer ny very
worthy Young man; but it wa; an error which, IN
nv iudgment. would have been very natural and
n,rdonable in an older officer. This matter is
really too insignificant. to merit the time necessa
nv to eSplain it to YOU" and that no part OF the
new track has been taken up from that CT any
cause whatever.
Speaking of the alleged dissipation of the corps,
he says there is sufficient ground Tor the chaTg-
es-that they appear to him ito be very generally
both intelligent and industrious"
will thank you to shew this to our friends OF
tho Spectator, that they may be in possession OF
the facts of the case. prefer that my letter should
not be published as it would he regarded merely
as an appeal for sympathy at this crisis. ! DO not
mean to occupy such position before me puoiic'
My claims II support must oe very ieeole, ~. !. "
dicerning community cannot discover them with
out my aid.
have wished the facts to be known because the
reputation of worthy young men is implicated,
and | believe moreover that these dissenslons may
affect the enterprise for which we have labored
with a common zeal.
Very Respectfully yours, &C.;
r.. F0NTAINE.