Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-02-06
Tho Co,lnrion and ohlo Road.

The Coyington and Ohio Road.
The vote rejecting the bill making an appropriation
to this improvement, is ominous Of the tate that
awaits all other Apr Dprations. We are inclined to
think such result would be conducive to the best
interests OF the Commonwealth The credit of the
State is in great portland if il is seriously impaired
the consequences will be widely disastrous. To make
NIL the appropriations asked for at the present session
would nearly double the public debt and could not
fa to exert very depressing effect upon the State
stock That stock has already undergone a heavy
decline Wisdom and sound policy alike dictate such
course rs will arrest any fai thcr depreciation We
concedc, il would be desirable and even wise TO aid
some works; but If that be impossible cxccpt upon
the condition OF taking on indefinite millions for
others less important, it would be better to call
a halt Too much haste would not only iniurc
the public credit; but very large appropriations
would greatly enhance the cost of all the i'm
provemcnts in the State, by increasing the de-
inand for and the price of labor The whole
system--by the combined effects of increased cost
and depreciation Of State credt-might prove fall
IRE. All the true friends of improvements should be
on their guard against such result.
As to the particular billthlt approprating two adj
dtonal millions to the Covingon Road we think un
der the circumstances it waswsey rejected Tn. whole
project hurriedy and incons:,erately entered
upon. The last Legislature determined to unde, take
1t, upon the assurance that it would not cost more
than IRE millions. The very first step this session
was demand by the Board OF Public Works for Fre
millions, in addition to already granted-and with
the confession that both these sums would prove in
sufficient for the completion al the work. This OK.
traordinary demand was unaccompaned by anv re-
port After two months the Board make general
report-and Mr. Fisk the Engineer gives us an esti.
mate-by which the cost of single track is mt
down at upwards of ten millions. This estimate is
hazarded without having made survey of II miles
oil the road III fact, Mr.. Fsks report is rather de-
voted to comparison of the advantages of the Green
brer and Monroe routes than the cost of the whole
line In his estimate he does not take into conside-
ration the engineering, the motive power. the
oepots ana various other items OF equipment
rs essential to the working of the road as
the track ITSELF and which Mr.. Dcane demon
strated would cost at the lowest calculation
four millions five hundred thousand dollars
linus estimating the road at near .ttteen millions
Now we never heard of a road which did not cos, +,
third more than the eStimote even with ;u5c;o,,s
management.
But this road is to be under the uncontrolled ;nris
dction of the Board of Public Works We have No,
my. We fear they will have less regard for tto
public interests than for their own. We conrss TOO
to aust dread of endowing any three men-ecc,o5
Tor SIX years, and responsible TO nobodv-wi,b III.
vast power proposed by this BILL in addition TO oIItbc
other powers they claim, in virtue of their control
over all the improvements in the State. We fear
thcy may become masters With millions -,
their disposal and privileged to appoint as many sub
trembling to the future integrity and independence
of the Legislature. The Board have Inn, ono Suo.
intendent now, and he left his worl, l., como 70
Richmond and send in his messsge Wb.n uop...,
snail have some fire or ten thousand selected from,
among the sons and ncphews and kinsmc, or r,,,,
bers, with special view to their influence with Tho
Legislature-and when they all come dov,, .,I .o,
IN their messages-what then will be the result
Where will be the power Of resistance? What will
be the condition of the public treasury? E,nntv If
course What the condition of the public credit ,
Gone. What the state of public ,noraIss W..
The late of all the improvements in the Com,no,-
wealth.
Desirable as the completion of this great Central
work might be, it would cost too much at this price
But there still exists another and to ne inynror,
BILE objection that of making this road =, such,
cost to Virginia, merely as a feeder to Baltimore
thousand times better for this State that il sbopIJ
not be bullt-even If it cost Nottingham TO bc ,o
ready instrument for undoing. With n,rrou.
gauge, corresponding to that of the Baltimore ro,J
and northeastern oiishoos cmptying into that road
1T will drain fully half of Virginia for the
ment of n northern city
III this road is ever constructed on suite oc.o,,,,
by the contributions of all the people of tbe C,r-
monwealth, it must be so constructed nc 10 i,i,,,
none-bnt benefit ALL 1t should rest IN eucI .
footing as to enlist The sympathy and support Of
secton-it should Mentity the interests of rs larg,
portons OF the State as possible. This MIGHT hc on
s'Iy elected, by adopting gauge in harmony viii
tue oouth oihe roads, and inducing North Ve,Lsy,
onsnoo's so as to bring Wheeling and all the North
"est portion oil the State in direct contact with ,h
"en"e-and giving to the whole common interest,
ana common feelings. At present, there is mn diroc
communication between the centre and the North.
west All that great region is surrendered to BalG
A're-ahd IL VIII remain so forever with four f,o
e,gh' ana ha gauge on the Covington Road and witt
"O'" Easter" drains Let us spread out our arm.
IN all directions from the centrc-instca1 Of contract
ing them-and invite the trade and travel of ,vsr,
section Of our own territory instead of giving bonn
ties LOT 'hat trade to seek Northern market W.
might as well attempt to carry water in a seyc as f.
DrIhg trade and travel from the Ohio 10 Richnond .,
p Slt guagc with Baltimore tap at the noutI
'k-SArURDAT.-A communicate from the Uous
o Delegates was received stating that thew apreo a., ~,
amendment proposed by the Senate To the bill entitled
authorize the D'n7ilIe aud wythcvilIc Turnpik
COMPANY 70 consulate branch Of their road-h4, the,
BOo tine amendment Of tho Senate TO the resolution
Tor the election Of certain officer, Of Government nv III
General Assembly aud that they also agree To the
luton requesting return Of the resolution recurring III
BOARD o. Public Works to receive the subscriptions
Rockingham county to the capital stock of the M,nas,,
Gap Railroad Company.
Mr. Douglass moved that the vote DO recon,idered
which tho resolution relative the subscriptions Of Roc
insham county to the Manassas Gap Railroad was agree
TO- Alter some discussion the motion for reconsdcrauo
was rejected by vote Of ayes H. noes 81.
Resolutions we're offered a. follows;
BY Mr. Winston, That the Senate WILL on overy s,tur
day, during the remainder Of the session, procee
20 the consideration OF bills Of local character whio
do not require al IN aoritv IN n,a. ,he,