Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-02-23

006 AAaA----0A1 = @N-f1l AOAos y a1AS
NASH returned from Richmond on Mon
day evening, where he has been spend
ing few weeks, and at our request has
furnished us with the present state Of
the question as to our railroad connex-
ion with Virginia. It viii be seen that
his opinion is decided as to the exten-
sion down the Kanawha; SO decided
that our own people will be justified in
acting upon it. We have no time, as
we are just going to press, to add any
thing:
GALLIPoI1s, Feb. s2, 1854.
Mr. HARPER: At your request, will
endeavor to state the present position of
the extension of the Virginia Central
Railroad down the Kanawha, as far as
/ was able to inform myself, while at
Richmond. 1t is question, in which
our citizens feel deep interest, and
must be anxious to learn what are the
prospects in the future.
1t must be promised that a road has
already been made. or nearly so. from
Richmond, by Gordonsville. Charlottes-
vile and Staunton to Covington, in Al
leghany county. This road is called
the Virginia Central Road, and is made
by a company, of which the State is
stockholder to the amount of three
fifths. Last winter, the Legislature au
thorized the construction of railroad
from Covington to the Ohio entirely on
State account. Under this law, the
Board of Public Works have surveyed
and located what is called the Coving-
ton and Ohio Railroad, starting at the
termination of the Central road at or
near Covington, and ending at or near
the mouth Of the Big Sandy river. This
road leaves the Big Kanawha at Scarry
creek, some thirty eight miles above its
mouth, and turns up that creek in its
passage over the divide between the
waters of the Kanawha and Guyandotte
rivers. 1t is now proposed to extend
on State account second branch of this
Covington and Ohio Railroad down the
Kanawha to connect with the Gallipolis,
Jackson and Chillicothe Railroad, thus
making a continuous line of Railroad
from Richmond, Va, to Chillicothe,
Cincinnati, Dayton and the entire
Northwest.
There are two bills now before the
Virginia Legislature connected with this
subject; one in the House of Represen-
tatives to appropriate 100000 for
the prosecution of the Covington and
Ohio Railroad; and a second in the
Senate 10 authorize the extension down
the Kanawha, and to appropriate $780,
600 for the surveys, location and gra-
ding thereof. Neither of these bills had
passed, when 1 left Richmond. There
is a conflict of interest between the
friends of the Covington and Ohio Road
which hitherto has prevented it from
obtaining a constitutional majority in
its favor. This dispute grows out Of a
difference in the gauge of the roads on
the south and north side Of James Riv.
er. The roads south have gauge oI
five feet; those north, including the
Central Road, have a gauge of foul
feet eight and half inches. The south
side interest insist that the gauge of the
Covington and Ohio Railroad shall bt
five feet; the north side interest insist
on the narrow gauge, because that is
the gauge of the Central Road and o
all the other roads connecting with it
This painful conflict has thus far OBJ
structed all progress in Legislation OF
this important work. 1t was the bette
opinion, that the bill to continue tn,
Covington and Ohio Railroad, woulC
pass in some form, as its failure woulC
inevitably lead to the defeat of every
other appropriation for railroads anc
turnpikes. This road must be made
and will be made. The people of Vir
ginia are looking up to its importance
to the future growth and welfare of thei
State. If defeated this winter, it mus
succeed another.
The second bill for the Kanawha ex
tension depends somewhat upon the first
for, if the State refuses to continue tn
main branch, it is useless to authoriz
the construction of branches to it. Th
first bill past, and l have no doubt tn
Kanawha extension will follow. TIL
construction is recommended in the an
nual report of the Virginia Board @
Public Works; as may be seen in th
extract therefrom, which will be foun
IN another column. 1t is now growin
impression among the business and in
telligent men of Virginia that thi
branch will bring more business to tn
main line, than the branch to Sandy
Such know is the opinion of one of tn
members of their Board of Publ
Works. l can, therefore, have n
hesitation in saying, that this Kanawh
extension will be made; its commence
ment is a mere question of time AnC
if the 100000 bill passes, 1 believ
this extension will now be authorized t
be made; its commencement to depen
on the action of the Board of Publ
. Works; that board being authorized
begin its construction, whenever in the
: opinion the interests of the State requil
! it. The opinion of this Board is sue
/ that the road will be begun at an earl
: day, if the legislature shall authorize i
/ construction.