Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-01-30
Correspondence of the vinaicstor.

RICHMOND, Jan. 70, 1854.
The junior pitches into his Richmond
correspondent for emitting to write for the
Vindicator. | would beg leave to inform
that gentleman, that, if he were placed ihte
the legislative harness fora few weeks hi,
Uranium would be Sc full Of the business
responsibilities and duties of the station thai
he would almost forget there was such pa.
per as the "Vind;cator, notwithstanding
its popularity. If that gentleman does
not admit the correctness Of this statement
| hope he may soon be placed IN the posi-
ton that he may judge for himself. The
legislator who will do his duty to his con.
stituents and his county, as well as TO him.
sell, has anything else but an easy task te
perform.
Since | last wrote, the most important
subject that has been. before the house Of
delegates, is the Covlngton and Ohio bill
the object of which is 10 provide for thu
expenditures of that road during the mex
two years. 1t will be remembered that a,
the last session Of the Gen Assembly .aDap
nropriation of one million of dollars wa:
made ~. H." The purpose of connecting our Va
internal nrTofeh~.s wa ny iieH iaae
and travel of the upper Mississ.," nm and o.
hio vallies, and carrying It in:e our cit.
and to our seaboards. This great work was
commenced early last year BY the old Board
Of Public Works. Some forty odd miles
between Sandy and the Kanaw ha were let
to contractors in July last, to be completed
by September next The new Board since
their accession to office, have had other
portions Of the route surveyed, and they let
out OH the 18th of December last some SO
miles more of the eastern diyisiop-from
Coyington west The letting has been ca
most favorable terms, to experienced ard
responsible contractors, to be completed in
two years from the time of letting. The
eastern end is said TO be the heaviest Dor
ton oil the work. Il is expected to have
eighty or ninety miles of the Western d.
vision, up to the fails of the Kanawha. com
Pieted early next year, if the necessary CD.
preparation is made. The use Of the road
up to the Fails OF the kanawlla, will aid
very materially in the construction of the
New River division in the way of trans
porting the supplies of labor and provisions.
1t is demonstrated by gentleman who is
thoroughly acquainted with the resources of
the great kanawha valley, that in addition
TO furnishing aid in the construction of the
New River division, II will pay expenses
aud handsome dividend by transporting
the SAT-, Coal aaa etAer productions # TIM,
fertile valley to the 0hio.at Gayandot.e.-
| have not the .iae to give the data upoe
which he makes his calculation,
1t has been the settled policy Of The STAT.
for many years, to connect the waters Of
the seabaord With hat Of the Ohio. The
James River and Kanawha canal was the
medium by which that connection WAS
sought to be made, but il was found to be
TOO slow and expensive. The scheme OF
the Covington and Ohio railroad was a.
dopted, last session, for the purpose OF
making the connexion, Immediately. The
Importance OF connecting this great work
already commenced: is admitted by all
but unfortunately fer the interests Of the
State, the greatest Jealousy has sprung up
With the south west, because they could
not establish the gaage at five feet 10 cor
respond with the Va. and Tenaessee road,
Every obstacle that can be thrown in the
way and every move which can be made
to cnlharrass the action of the Legislature
In relation to this work has been Ies0rted
TO.
In about two years hence there will be
completed in this State about 1909 miles
OF railroad and canals, costing the State
and individuals abou; $50, 600, 00O, which
are more or less dependent upon this great
work for their foreign trade and travel =
he canal and the railroads on the north
side OF James River, 750 miles in exten.
are entirely dependent for thei. foreign
travel and freight upon the Covington and
Ohio road. On the south side of the
James, there are about $50 miles of road
toa great extent Deepen eat upon this
thoroushiare for their western connection.
1t is contendcd that when the great Gov
ihgton and Chic avenue is opened the
mighty current OF trade and travel which
now sweeps around the western borders of
our. State along the Ohio TO the Northern eli.
les, will pass through this great sluee ard
spread over all the various lines of Improve
men, west Of the mountains, making them
all pay. 1t is TO be hoped that this opin-
ion. long since entertained aud expressed
by the internal improvement men of the
State, may be realized. The State is now
so thoroughly committed to the Coyinston
and ONO connection, by the expenditure
OF money upon ii, and the cost uet OH of
oiiier important Improvements upon the
laitli OF It's completion, that it cannot now
be abandoned without great saciaiice. !
have So id more YDan fhis snb;aot ,L,,, III