Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1854-06-24

your rich hills would pour down such al
abundance Of their now hidden treasures
and Of their tepming products as would Of
itselfrequire second track to be added
The Doctor made few other remarks,
which were chiefly in regard 10 the vast
difference between the price Of property
in Fairmont now and the price it bore
when he was here some years ago, and
then resumed his seat. He was warmly
applauded.
Here arose some questions as to taking a
recess. After they had been disposed OF,
Mr.. KrycuELoE, of Harrison county
Va, took the stand and made short
speech, which no seemed to have COM
mi,tod to memory. We did not take
notes of it, and therefore can give our
readers no idea of its purpors.
Tho Convention then adjourned for
dinner. When it reassembled, there
were calls for A. T. Raymond, Esq, of
this county. He responded at some
length, but we can only give sketch OF
his remarks.
Mr.. HAYMoNp said that not only West.
ern Pennsylvania but Eastern Pennsyl-
vania had deep and abiding interest in
this road. He thought now, and he had
thought so last winter while he was bear
ing humble partin procuring from the
Legislature a, Richmond its charter,
that the Monongahela and Ravenswood
railroad would prove to be of more i'm.
portance to us and to Western Penn
sylvania than all other railroads put to.
gether. 1t was true we had a railroad
here, which dispensed to us privileges
Of which wehad hitherto been deprived.
1t extended from one end to the other
Of our richcounty, which had previously
been locked up by frowning mountains
We had been largely benefited by the
present road. Our lands had been en-
HANGED in value, and our business increa'
sed in extent. But, he asked, does the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad answer all
our purposesl He would answer, thai
it only created the greater necessity fo'
the Monongahela and Ravens@ood rail
road. Look at our coal fields. They
extend ten miles in width. And while
the Baltimore road had cut across these
fields, and in some instances made the
poor rich, yet persons owning coal lands
lying four, six, ten, or twenty miles
from the road have found that their lands
have not increased very much in value
| Why is this? The Baltimore and Ohio
road runs through this region "cross
acisc," opening the coal mines for com
para,ively but q few miles. But how
will it be with the Monongahela ant
Ravenswood roadl Look at the map
1t will run in Pennsylvania through one
of the most productive ofregions in ag
riculture, and one as richly endowed
with minerals as any in the world
How will it be in Virginia? The couu
try which will be penetrated is one o
vast importance-immense every way
Beds Of coal underle the surface nearl.
the whole distance; and the Mononga
hela and Ravenswood railroad willy pillow
these Leds from the point where it start
to the grand and magnificent Ohio. Thu
benefits of this road will be distributed
like the dews Of heaven. upon all-Mo
nongahela, Harrison, Marion, and al
the counties, will participate in the ricl
results.
But, he repeated, does the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad answer all our pur
poses? Look at the charges Of tina
company. Look at the discrimination
they make against way passengers ant
way freigh,s. We want 10 see opposi
ton to decomposition whit. We de
sire access to the three great cities o
Baltimore, Philadelphia aud New York
go that we may have q choice Of mar
ke,s. 1t may be said that we paid moth
ing towards the construction Of the Bal
timore and Ohio road. That is true
But we granted to ambitious Baltimore
the right to cross our territory and thu
draw to herself large portion Of thu
products of the Mississippi Valley
The charter of this company is not un
der the restrictions Of the general rail
road law of our State, and hence tn
company may Cypress US. What is tn
remedyl To build up competing i'm
provement. Now we can send corn AM
oats TO Baltimore because of the rise il
their prices; but for long time ate
!, tie road went into operation we coul'
y send nothing hut wheat, owing to tn
enormous freigh,s charged. Our agri
cultural productions were still withou
the means of reaching market. Yo'
r see this, gentlemen farmers, thatin pro
portion as freights are high the price
you get for your products are so mucl
. less. The Monongahela rond will ope'
! the markets north and east to us.
: will be a great artery of trade extend
ing from Boston to New Orleans. Ant
what will DO the eiiec,l Competition
} The eastern cities want our coal for gas
$ One company here is now sending Of
from six to eight thousand tons per day
;. Ill .. la, tho hast e.