Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-08-17
RicnxoSp. August le. 1880.

Ohio Railroad Convention to DO held at tho White Sui
phur Springs, on the 2ith Of this month.
Having bestowed little attention the subject
matters for tho deliberations Of that important internal
Improvement meeting now proceed, promised you,
to give suceinet statement CT the results my
Investigations to be used may seem most proper uuder
the circumstances by you.
Aer repeated conversations on this subject need
dwell 'scts show the vital importance to the
State at large Of the resolutions and action Of the pro-
posed convention. The magnitude and increasing weight
OF the objects In view commensurate With the future
destnies Of our State, and in great measure must by
reflex Influence, control the future commercial and az
ricutural policy Of much Of the and west
crn Ststes Waving all preimnsries will at once enter
upon the practical subjects in view.
Amer somewhat careful aud lsboriou, of
the Legislative action Of Virginia this subject con-
neced with the concurrent and attending history OF al,
collateral subjects have adopted the following PROPOSE
tons being satisfactorily established. To them
CALL in the fret place, your attention:
let. Since the year 1870 up to the present time with
very few exceptions, each successive Legislature in
some form, has passed important with the view of
connecting the waters OF the James and Ohio rivers
I'd The public archives Of the State exhibit in regard
to this object evidences Of perseverng aud aSorous re-
search surpassed by those any State in the Uniop
Sd Tho act of March l6th. 1882, incorporating the
James River and kaaawha Company, (SS2 S3, 81 and
the action Of the first meeting OF the president and d.
rectors of this company Goth March, 1857 adopted the
railroad line between the western terminus Of the canal
and below the falls Of the Great Kanawha.
Ith Since the commencement of the Louisa railroad in
1886 with very few exceptions It has been tho uniform
policy OF its peculiar friends and the State 10 extend that
! road to some point OH the ohio river.
9th Recent legislation (the Blue Ridge railroad act
aud the Covngtou and Ohio railroad actl have uIe4,,i
the State to the successful prosecution and speedy com
| the Ohio rirer.
9Th The spirit and letter OF all these various Lccis-
ave acts since $50 to the present tmc have not ouy
committed tbs faith Of the State the successful prose
cuon OF this line Of improvement but the OF
private and corporation funds in this Improvement has
been on the virtual pledge of tho State thus creating
guarantees.
7th The successful prosecution OF the canal system,
or water connection, depends the speedy aud
iui completion OF the Coyington and Ohio railroad on its
adopted line, and as the forerunnsr Of The rdier line
Sth The failure of this enterprise, will seriously eop-
ard not utterly PROSTATE the political and commercial
influence of Virginia while its speedy completion will az
certainly resuscitae her weakened energies and crown
her efforts in this behalf with uumessured power aud n-
| huence
As to the ls ID Sd 18th and 5h proposition, as above
stated, am sure 1t is unnecessary for me- in this commu.
nicaton TO give, in Detail the different
or to refer particular the various concurrent and at
tending historical incidents This would occupy too much
space in Illustrating what matter of recorded his
tory and equally accessible curious TO nscer
tain the act 1t proper, however for say that
upon careful examination OF the the Leps
laure and some of the reports &C. of the
Board of Public Works, Surveyors Commissions, &c. &c
can say without the fear Of each and
all Of the above five propositions distinctly and posi-
lively established. II any is creduous his Judgment
may DO easily informed by inspection OF The records of
| TIE STATE.
1t being then a matter CT legislative history that il has
ever been the settled policy of the State TO complete this
line OF Improvement either by the Canal couuec
tion, or by the Canal and Railroad system need ony
remark before passing the consideration OF the 9th pro
position, that since 1899 it has been the uniform policy OF
the State, by the Dock Improvement Rchmond to
meet this water line with tide water.
Passing then the sixth proposition | may ron
hicntly urge that its truth is equally iuconcstble Bat
10 the proofs Under these various Legislative acts and
by virtue Of the uniform policy of the State sum Of
s5,OoOOUO has been actually expended the works Of
the James River and Kiuawha Company, of which the
Bank Of Virginia holds 100000. the corporation Of the
city of Richmond 576,sOo, the citizens OF Richmond
$4,000, the State 900 0OO and 567 700 by individual,
not residing in the city OF Richmond.
Redmond, through her corporation subs "trip. ion and
that of her citizens has already contributed TO this work
the enormous sun OF SpS3o0 nearly mn of tie
entire capital and including the very large compaativc
number of shares which her citizens hold in the stock Of
the Bank OF Virginia. she has actually paid toward this
| great work more than one :ffh ofMs entire stock.
But again. The city OF Richmond, in her corporate ca
paciy has su6scrbed TO the Louisa aud Central Railroad
1900 OO0 while her citizens have subscribed 10 the same
| improvement 3590OO-S659. 900.
The State OF Virginia subscribed the Blue Ridge
Railroad, continuation of this route 500 600 apna-
ally until the work should be completed has actually
paid 81 100000 end will have pay S2oOOOo more
! 10 complete it.
The State has subscribed to the Covinston and Ohio
Railroad 81 100000 and has actually expended S6el 9Oi
on it,
Now, ask these large sums paid BIZ the STATE TO
the Blue Ridge and Covngtoa Ro,d aud TO the Central
RAILROAD by Richmond aud her citizens with any other
understanding or on any other conditions than that these
roads were TO be extended to the Ohio and Thus COM
pete the long contemplated connection OF the Eastern AMI
Western waters! Is NOT FAITH or TnE STATE rLxpG
I'D AND uNYIEpISG PRosyCU1Io, op rms
WORK
One other fact on this point before dismiss it, Con-
siderng the water line and this railroad line as united in
destiny-ihe one depending the other Richmond In
her corporate capacity aud through the private
tons OF her citizens has actually paid TO it the
sum Of 81 592, 500. Has she claims OIL the friends of
the Covngon and Ohio Railroad aud the State to urge the
most speedy aud energetic prosecution of this work? Is
per voice TO be UNDECIDED drowned in the confusion of
local jealOusies and sectional fcuds.
May not, in view Of these facts undeniable and of
potent weight ir this mater ask trumphantlv IA moi tho
sixth proposition satisfactorily established?
Ii then, this proposition il established beyond cav
what argument can be adduced change this fixed po
oil the State, to repudiae her solemn engagements, TO
disinnul her compacts often re-amed and 10 diyes
or render nugiory the rights aud interests the private
and corporate sockhOdes 10 these lines Of
VIII be urged that her future Interests require change
Of her past policy aud demand deviation from this her
own selected and cherished line of improvement? This
OBJECTION 80 feeby urged under the guidance OF rival in
tec't! aud stimulated, is feared by sectional eaouscs
- easily met aud as easily overTuled.
This brings to the consideration Of the 7th and 9Th
propositions, TO which now address myself
That the successful prosecution OF the water line Of
Improvement depends tho completion Of the Coynpon
and Ohio Railroad must be obvious every unbiased mind
fairly informed tho subject Should both the Canal
aud this ROAD be Completed doubt the electric
elect their successful operation have on the f1ure
desnies at Virginia aud great part OF the Yves, and
| Southwest.
iiThe Ball Of Science is in rapid motion each evol,;o
sarlies The world with discovery or the great
Improvement oil some art OF mechanic operation Time
IS more than money. IL involves in this enterprise
glorious triumph or the most inglOrous defeat II the
delberatonsof the ensuing Convention are wisely repu-
lated leading TO prudent action and cautious energy
Virginia will yet equal in the future the high hope, and
proud anticipations Of her founders Should however
local anpahies and sectional feuds destroy the harmony
oil your deliberations and the consistency OF est.b
lished policy, all may be lost and may live TO ,i the
6ghting effects of divided councils in the yet further po
| litical and commercial vassalsge OF our State.
Should the Convention adjourn without auch action az
to secure the prompt and energetic prosecution Of this
work the rival routes the New River line the Baltimore
Philadelphia New York aud Boston lines OF Improvement
already penetrating far into the West will sap sources
OF our commercial greatness while the South Carolina
Alabama and New Orleans lines Of extended
lines.
The Covingon and Ohio Railroad defeated or oo long
mRNa