Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
gotal ann ptrsonal.
The metropolitan Railroad.-Il appears by

The Metropolitan Railr0ad.--It appears by
the second annual report of this company that
since the date of the first one, in July, 1854, the
final location of the road has been made, upon
the route designated, between Georgetown and
Hagerstown, and The necessary maps, plans, and
estimates been prepared TOR the work, by VIM.
II. Grant, the acting chief engineer.
As regards The two divisions Of the road that
from Georgetown 10 the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road. distance Of litte-over iorly-one miles. is
estimated 10 cost 81 $50, 900, and from the Bai-
more and Ohio railroad 10 Hagerstown, nearly
thiry-fve miles, 81 ,S65,oOO; or 1915 miles, cost
ing S3,7l5ooO.
This estimate includes grading, masonry, and
bridging, superstruclure, right of way, station
buildings, and equipment, and general expenses.
Il provides for an equipment of ten locomotives.
and corresponding number of passenger and
freight cars. On the first division, from George
town 10 the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the
equipment would be- Sufficient for the through
passenger trips, and Que freight trip per day
In setting forth the prospective advantages of
the road, the engineer says any person who has
been attentive observer of the general progress
of railroads throughout the country must have
been struck ~ the singular fact that while nearly
every one OF the principal commercial and politi-
cal centres OF me country, elsewhere has been
made the magical focus OF numerous railroads,
our capital city has, yet but the imperfect ben
eft Of one Whatever may be said in extenua-
ton ofthe fact, il is strikingly obvious that in the
general march of Improvement, as regards rail-
roads, the facilities of railroad communication,
and all the benefits derived from their use, the
cities of Washington and Georgetown and the
District of Columbia are far, far behind the pro-
gress of the age.
While this is undenably and practically true,
there has been, nevertheless, growing up and
gradually developing, on all Sides from the work
ing of inevitable causes the elements Of com
prehensive system of Improvements, having for
their ultimate and tpriate centre the city of
Washington.
Mr. Grant shows what degree of importance al
taches TO the Metropolitan road in regard TO the
development and successful operation of prin.
cipal part of the system of Improvements which
he describes, embracing The several lines Of rail-
roads tending 10 the city Of Washington from the
east, north, northwest and west, and its influence
upon the cities of Georgetown aud Washington.
and, in view of the statement arrives at The fol-
lowing conclusions
l. The metropolitan railroad is an essenua
part OF the system of railroads cenierng at the
seat OF the General Government and the success
iul completion and operation of the system de-
ponds upon the construction of this road.
2. The full development of The advantages and
true policy Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad de-
mands its construction
3. The local interests of the cities of Groree-
town and Washington dependent on it,
4. When completed, il will exercise an infu-
ence upon these cities equal TO The most sanguine
expectations.
s. II will most assuredly be a remunerating
road; il can be completed without exceeding the
estimates, and, whatever may be present delays
and difficulties, the inducements for lis construc
tion are too great TO doubt that il will be built
Another Tax Expedient.-In former article
we showed that, before the municipal election. in
June last, the Know.nothing City Councilmen re-
duced, considerably, the rate of taxation on real
and personal estate, but that after the election
a majority of the so-caled American party hav.
ing been returned 10 both branches--they imme-
dately sought TO restore the tax TO lis previous
standard. A bill was passed in the lower board
with that view, but the Aldermen had the wit TO
reject il controlled, probably, by desire 10
silence the scandal" 10 which such Legislation
had given rise, and 10 hide the appearance OF
suspected political trick.
But the object of increased taxation has not
been abandoned--a bill has been introduced i'm.
posing a special tax for school purposes, in adj
dition 10 the poll-tax, the payment Of which j.
prerequisite TO the exercise Of the elective fran.
chise. The receipts from this last named source,
however. do not pay more than, il much as,
one -fourth of the expenses ofthe public schools
the bulk of the appropriation for that purpose
being made from the general fund
We regard the proposed special tax but
another means 10 restore the old rate of assess.
ment, under the guise Of supporting the public
sc hools
Bell Ringing.-On "Wednesday night, stout,
white loafer amused himself by ringing peoples
door-bels, TO the great annoyance OF housekeepers