Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-02-20
Coving ton and Ohio Railroad.

act as agent for the Vindicator.
Covington and Ohio Railroad.
Early in the session (says the Enquirer)
we ventured TO indicate the policy which
we thought the Legislature should pursue
IN making appropriations to works of in
ternal improvement. With a view as
well to maintain the credit of the Common
wealth, as to develop its resources, we
suggested, that while no additional ex-
Penditure should be incurred on account of
original schemes, the available Energy
and capital of the State should be concen-
trated ON the great works now in progress.
we did not presume to specify the partic-
ula. works which we thought worthy of
public regard, because it was our wish to
avoid invIdious distinctions, and because
we did not mistrust the ability of the
Legislature to make the proper discrimi-
nation. There was one scheme especially
concerning which, in our judgment, there
could be no conflict Of opinion.
We thought that of all the schemes of
Improvement III progress in the State, the
Covington and Ohio Road was most de-
serving the confidence Of the pubic. We
did suppose that no man, be his range of
'oeas never so narrow, could fail to appre-
clate the Importance of this work and to
perceive the necessity Of pressing it for
ward to completion with all possible ener-
gy. Occurrences in the Legislature with
in few days past convince US that we
mlstook the temper and sagacity of that
body. There has been no difficulty IN
procuring appropriations to plank roads
and turnpikes, but when great work of
State concern applies for aid, the very
magnitude OF its necessities discredits its
claim, and tits left to live only in the con-
ceptlon Of its protector while multitude
of petty schemes feed to safety ON the
bounty of the treasury.
The personal influence of Senator
could procure an appropriation for plank
road from a saw mill to blacksmith S shop
in the county of Campbell, but no conside-
ration of public policy would induce
grant of the smallest pittance to complete
railway connection between the waters
OF the Ohio and Chesapeake bay. The
Coyington and Ohio railroad bill, through
no default Of its friends, has encountered
successive defeats in the Legislature. and
unless the proposition now pending for the
consideration of the subject prevail, we
must abandon all hope of its ultimate pas
sage.
The Coyiugton and Ohio road is the
key stone Of the arch-if that fails the
whole system Of public improvement IN
Virginia must tumble to the earth. The
James River and Kanawha Canal, the
south-Side Road, the Orange and Alexan-
dria road, the Central and the Blue Ridge
roads, all depend, in a greater OF less de.
gree. for any profitable return OIL their
capital OH the extension of railway COM
munication to the Ohio. A sum very lit
tie short of forty millions of dollars, has
been expended on these works, and, un-
less they have access to the exhauslless
wealth of the great west, this vast outlay
in their construction will be little better
than an idle waste. If we abandon the
Covington and Ohio road, we destroy the
system and conference OF our policy OF pub
lie impIovement-we leave the branches
without trunk to supply strength and
vitality.
Men object to the cost of the Covington
and Ohio Railroad, but we believe il is
susceptible of demonstration, that its con-
struction is necessary as an expedient of
economy. Not the amount, but the ma
ture of an appropriation determines its
character of economy or folly. An expen-
penditure of $4,000 on turnpike, may
be verse economy than an expenditure of
$50 .000, 600 on a railroad which should
repay the interest on its construction, and
awaken the dormant energies and resource
es Of the State.
We trust the Legislature will reconsider
its opinion and reverse its decision. One
member has made the unblushing confess
sion, that his conduct is determined by
bargain and intrigue we would fain be-
lieve, that higher considerations control
the action Of the Legislature. We hope
members will be above local prejudices and
petty combinations, and will strive to pro-
mote the interests Of the State without
reference TO schemes OF individual ambi-
ton and advancement.
The Engire Here
On last Wednesday many of our citizens
assembled to witness the Engine pass the