The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-17
THE PROPOSED SUBSCRIPTION TO
THE JENTRAI. RAIIRnAn

Before the recent session of the General
Assembly, It was very generally supposed
that among all the solicitors of aid from that
body, none would more certainly obtain ii
than the Central Railroad. 1t was one Of the
principal works in the State, and the tunnel
ling OF the Blue Ridge rs part Of the line
was undertaken by the State ITSELF so impor-
tant was the Improvement deemed, and so
much desired was its expeditions extension
westward Up to the very last week of the
session, in spite of the previous disappoint-
ments, it was believed that loan would be
made to the Company. And now although
we fully understand the circumstances which
led to the failure to grant any aid to it, we
cannot but wonder at the result.
But the Legislature did neglect this public
duty-it did adjourn and leave this great inn
provement to struggle on as it could; and the
Question now is. shall it pause? shall it stop
short, and shall the great advantages expected
to be secured by it be postponed Indefinitely?
These are questions of a very serious char
acter-questions very deeply involving the
interests of this city, and which therefore
deserve the deliberate consideration of our
citizens
The Central Railroad is importantto us,
and will exert a very great influence upon the
prosperity of Richmond. lis suspension would
be unfortunate for the Company and seriously
injurious to this city. We cannot therefore
believe that our citizens would acquesce IN
it, if any thing they can be reasonably ex-
pected to do will avoid it.
What can they do? They can aid by a
further subscription; and under existing laws
the Company can call upon the State for
three. ftths more than every t@o.ftths they
subscribe. In other words, for every taro
dollars they may advance, the Common
wealth will have to put down three. That
aid, so much more than she may subscribe
is to be secured by her subscription, increases
the inducement for an additional subscrip-
ton by the city. The Company will be so
materially assisted by aid in this way from
Richmond and other sources, that it is likely
it can go on with its work, if not to compile
ton, at least until the Legislature meets
again. The city ought not to allow it to
stop-she can prevent its suspension by a
subscription that will increase the city taxes
s7,000per annum-and by doing so, she will
be greatly promoting her interests, while she
will be mourning no risk, since the Central
Road viii be not OILY perfectly able to pay
all its liabilities, but will, when completed,
pay handsome profit to the stockholders.
1t is believed that the increased revenue
from the enhanced value of property in the
city, occasioned by the Central Railroad,
more than pays the interest on the debt in
Cured by the former subscription to that
road. The enhancement from that cause is
continually going on, and we have no doubt
| that the Central Road will, in that way, more
than reimburse the city, every year, for what
| it has to pay, or will have to pay, in interest
On subscriptions to its stock.
Of course every citizen must judge for
himself in this matter; but we hope, in form
| ing his judgment, that he will consider all the
arguments involved in it.