Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-10-06

Mcssrs. Editors Tho " Ric lnpnd Enquirer"
says in the issue OF End Instant. that "A Stock
holder does not comprehend their position in
regard to the through ticket system Of the Nir
gina Tennessee Railroad Company. Possibly
do not and in order tina, | may not ngain bo
liable to censure for obtuscncss, would respect
fully suggest that the Enquirer hc m specific in
itS charges, as nothing ~ more difficult than TO
reply TO general charge of NAL administration in
the discharge of dates ~ complicated Us those to
be performed by the President and Directors of
Railway as extensive that OF the Virginia 4
Tennessee Road. how understand the "Enqul-
rcr' to take this position: that the successful APP
pcatlon Of low rates To through passenger tray
ell, would justify an equivalent reduction upon
freight, and that Of low through rates produce
good rcsuls--low rates upon way tonnage aud
travel would produce better
Without, mt this tmc, eutering into discussion
Of the different characteristics oil through and way
business Of either description. il is pertinent to
ask the Enquirer how far this princip pie of low
rates should be carried, and, particularly, to sprci
iy those rates upon the Virginia rcunes see
Railroad which obnoxious the charge Of
exorbitance.
Perhaps. also. the S,mth-Siic Democrat will in
dicate some one Of the rival roads whu.c policy it
desires the Virginia u Tennessee road to adopt
with reference t. transit charges. II these gem
tlcmen will have the kindness to adopt these eug
geSons think it will not be diff ,ult To delcud
against thor attacks.
One word to the "South-Side Dcmocrat:" we
beg to assure them that the writer is gratifed TO
hear of their intention Ia continue to keep n
sharp look ont upon all the Railroad Companies
OF the Commonwealth and, he trusts, that many
wholesome reforms will be the fruits of their la
bpurs.
But. while say this. would enter my protest
against the adoption of u policy that is limited at
in some quarters, and openly advocated in others,
that railway charges should be reduced to point
that will DO barely remunerative to those who
furnished the capital with which roads have
been built. In my humble judgement. good faith
to the Stockholders and to the taxpayers of the
State (all Of whom are in truth. Stockholders in
the principal railway corporations of the law
demand that the following rules should govern
every Board of Directors in the exercise of tho
taxing power conferred upon them by the Stock
holders when they are required to construct
| tariff OF tolls or transit duties:
First. That no articles whatsoever should be
carried on any railway that does not pay rate of
freight that will pay the actual cost Of transpora-
| tion and repairs due To the accommodation of the
commodity transported.
| Second. That the tariff on all railways should
be 80 adjusted a. Ia produce the greatest possible
! net revenue from the trade.
The observance of these rules does not by any
| means, preclude Railway Directors from making
judcious determinations in assessing their char
ges: nay, the rules themselves recognise the I'M
| p"rtance OF wise determinations at the same
time that they repuiiate the idea of such low
rates rs to hazard the interest of the Stockholders
and thereby put in jeopardy the whole railway
policy Of the State-both present and prospective
win not now offer arguments to sustain these
rules. but will reserve what have to say on these
points for a future occasion. Should one occur in
the discussion of this important and intricate
question of transit duties on railways. will con.
clude with these remarks. The public works
must either be made to sustain themselves or they
must be sustained by the treasury Of the COM
monwealth. This must be the result when you
render worthless, by inadequate transit charges,
all the individual and corporate capital now in
vested in your railways. If the roads are sus
tanned BY the treasury the tax to sustain them
VIII be levied on those who are not benefited by
THESE works and will enurc to the advantage Of
those who are directly benefit Oh, Whereas IL they
are sustained from these tariff. they will 10 sus.