Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-05-17
The METROPOLITAN Railroad.

waters Of the Potomac We think they
have cause for being thankful. No place
that we visit would be more improved by
a free use ofwater than the city of Wash
lngton. In windy weather its streets
are almost impossible for the clouds Of
dust that roll down its broad avenues.
We rejoice, therefore, with our District
friends IN the prospect of cooler and
purer atmosphere, when the contemplated
work shall have been accomplished. We
can't say however, that we entirely aD,
prove of this Metropolitan road as it has
been chartered. We don't exactly see
that we, as Marylandcrs, are called upon
TO rejoice over the proposed construction
OF work which must take money from
the Treasury of our State, and travel
from the road built by our means. While
the capitation tax remains upon the
" ashington branch OF the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, it seems to US of doubtful
policy at least, to construct another road
10 take the travel from our own. and to
make that road a free one. The Washing
ton Branch Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad pays into the Treasury Of the
Safe, some sixty thousand dollars annu-
ally, which is so much eff the taxes which
must otherwise be laid upon the people
Was it good policy then to authorize the
Of another road, without
this captation tax, and thus give it the
preference over the present road and
that at the expense Of the Safes interest?
1t would seem to us that simple justice
demands from the Legisla.u re, the repeal
Of the capitation tax upon the Washington
branch, it having been decided BY them
selves that this tax is onerOus and I'M lust
The law as it originally passed the House
the same tax upon the Metropol
AN road, and provided that when the
branch was relieved from
the burden, it should also cease upon the
other. There seemed to be eQalitv in
this, if not fairness, and we are at loss
to understand the reasons which induced
its repeal. But it is done, and we must
not refuse to be satisfied with what bene-
fits our neighbors, even though it should
iniure Observation-Disclosures Argus.
We copy the above with pleasure, al
though hereis avein Of disappointed feeling
running through it, which we are sorry
to note in the columns so amiable paper
as the Baltimore Argus.
Our neighbor is wrong in several of his
premises. His spirited remark respecting
the introduction of pure water to the me
lropolis we pass over with a smile. The
august is welcome to its spirit, so that
We have the pure wcter. Il Let him laugh
who WINS
1t is altogether a mistake to suppose
hat the taking Of Maryland money to aid
n building the Metropolitan railroad will
injure Baltimore. Bvnomeans.
Whatever helps Washington directly, in |
directly helps the Monumental city. Our
leighbors will see this more and more in |
1 few short years.
The Argus admits the unpopularity Of !
he railroad capitation tax. Exactly. 1t |
5 unpopular. 1t ought to be. If the !
road is to be free one, in |
his respect, then ought that to be free
between Washington and Baltimore. Does
not the Argus admit this premise? Then
must it not admit our conclusion
The adjacent parts Of the States of Ma
'yland and Virginia are interested in this
lew road, and will exert themselves to /
hasten its construction. It will enlarge
he area of their markets, increase a de- |
nand for their provisions, add to the val. |
lie Of their lands and other propertv-all |
# which must enure to certain extent, /
o the benefit of Baltimore.
Rub your spectacles again, neighbor
Argus, open all your hundred eyes at
,nce, and look again.
\. B.-We understand that the Com
named in the Maryland act have |
appointed meeting for to morrow even
NC, at the Union Hotel in Georgetown, |
or the execution of the duty committed !
o them.
Attend, one and all.