Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-05-08
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

whsther it is the purpose Of the majority il
Joint meeting of the Washington Councils
deprive their fellow citizens who do not agre
With them politically of representation andll
tho commissioners to be chosen to superinten,
the municipal election to take place in thi
city in Juns. In reply, we have to say tina
we take it for granted that they cannot posi-
big entertain any sush design; insomuch as il
would DO q gross violation of the principle O
equality ofpolitical rights, which, up to thi
time, has been conscitntiously respected by al
parties when in powor in Washington; 30 ia
grant as TO bear On its faoo the proclamation
OF the purpose Of doing acts to secure til
unph-peIpetrstins frauds on the integrity o.
the ballot-box-to conceal which, as far a. DOS
sioie, it is absolutely necessary to deny The
oher side their right to be represented in the
tribunals which are to determine Who NAV
and who may not legally exercise the elective
franchise at this coming election. Not having
tie least idea that we have any considerable
humber of men among US who would thus seek
to bring about the destruction of the elective
\
ty to assure the inquiIers that both sides will
be represented in the several boards of cleo.
| ton commissioners, which are to be chosen by
the Councils on Monday afternoon next.
Railroad Traveling.-In the appropriate
department of the Star may be found set
forth the new arrangements provided by the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company for
the accommodation Of travellers between tie
East and West. 1t may be observed that
great improvements have been effected by the
liberal AID enterprising managers of the road,
eLd that all tho nest desirable features of
modern locomotion are now combined in their
attractive route.
The only railroad leading from Washington
IL the "WeshiDg.on Branch" of the Baltimore
and Ohio line. 1t was completed in 1884,
t"eHty-one years ago. Ever since that time,
passengers fol the West have necessarily trav.
e!ed over This branch rad, in order 20 reach
the lines running between the Atlantic cities
sd tho s.eat West.
kor many years previous to 1851, the Stage
Coaches over the National road through Cum.
boIiand, UIioniewn, and Brownsville to
Wheeling and PitsbuTg-snd the continue
Ton OF the same limos, or the Chic river steam
ers, constituted the great central route be
tween the East and West for all .rayelers-to
ind from Washington and Baltimore especial.
IL. Tie popularity Of this route was only
partially iGterfered with By the completion
oil the PenEsylva-ia car-is, which safely and
surely carried great numbers Of admi1ing
travellers betToon Philadelphia and Pitts.
buTg-SOme $50 uilss-in The incredible space
of FIVE days.
Twenty five years ago it required the ,rav-
e.or from Washington Just FIVE days to rsaeh
tie Ohio .: Wheeling, BY the express lils CT
coaches untoT the then famous stockton and
STOKES" Nov, tito stages lave vanished, and
the TIP occupies bat t.o-thircs c. one day BY
tie baltimore and Ohio railroad-ssgenteen
a-4 a AGJ AoaIS being the full tins required
10. tie run between Washirga Ton and Wheeling
A5iae bUi!d Is of The railroad progressed, how.
ever, TIE tetium CT the coach was substituted
by the ease Of ihe car Frederick, Point Of
Rocks, HsrpeI's Ferry, Hancock, and Cum.
bcrlsnd, We're successfully reached By the loco
motive in 1881 .-'32 IA Al, and AZ. At
Cumberland a long pause ensued, arresting
the progress of the road fer nearly ten years
This delay arose from disputes about the
charter, right Of way, and the western termi-
Ius, and was prolonged By the irDpraclicable
spiiit OF some Of the parties disputant, partic-
uia-iy those representing the Wheeling inter
est, which finally controlled the Legislature
eff Virginia in the settlement Of the con;,o.
ye!sy.
While the progress OF the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad was thus 0pt;ely arrested, (by
the contention CT atstractioniSts and the 90 DO.
e4i!on Of selfish iIte.ests,) and while the stage
coaches weio still forming tho western divi-
s!ol OF its Line between Cumberland and
Wheeling, tho New York and Eric railroad
was flashed. We well remember how, in
lS5l, the tide OF travel was at once turned
from tho moro direct southern and central
routes TO tho newly opened railroad between
New York and Dulkirk. Tho anomaly was
tacn presented Of travellers from the middle of
Oaio, and from eastern Kentucky ard Tonnes
sec, going ntrshward to Lake Eric and cast
ward to New York city in order to reach
Washington by the most prompt and comfort
able conveyance, thou h jorrneying in many
cases double the more direc: distance By the
previously Travelled routes. The necessity for
thia oiscuitouE COURSE is now happily removed.
The Baltimore and Chic T. iIroad, thanks
to tie rare ability AID energy Of its late Prcsi.
dent, ThomaG Swann, was completed to Wheel
ing il 1858. Owing 20 the want of proper rail
lad connections, however, tho business
OF the road-in paSsengers-has 60 far been
comparatively snail Being the FRS. great
line net by the cs,s: ding steamers of the
Obs, and reaching nearer than any other to.
wREds the heart of the West, il has bsen made
a flyoriio carrier Ct is rich products to the
eastern markets. Its freighting business has
thus been enornous, ard the FIomrtness end
regularity which have attended its transport