Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-10-02
The Virginia and Kentucky Railroad

The Virginia and Kentucky Railroad.
We took occasion . few days since. 10 refer 10
tho controversy that has been pending for some
tine between the ~cit:zens Of Abingdon and Bris-
til, respecting the eastern terminus OF this road.
commonly called the Cumberland Gap Road.
From the fact that we had failed to identify our
selves with either party until the subject had been
thoroughly discussed, and one OF the parties had
signifed an intention to retire from the contest
trusting to the light that had been shed upon the
subject to guide the public to n correct decision
it could not reasonably be supposed that we are
influenced by undue Partially Tor either of the
points named. We therefore assure our friends of
the Abingdon yirginian. that w have not conferred
the lists in favor of Bristol and against Abing-
don" particularly, but have simply expressed an
opinion on a few prominent facts brought to our
notice.
Some of the positions which We predicated upon
the statements made in the discussion are "ontro-
v, rted by the yirginian, and it is therefore incum-
bent upon US to enleavor to establish them by
such evidence az we have at hand. First. then.
AS to the saving in cost. The Nirginian assumes
that not more than 100000. instead of 100000.
would be saved by taking the road to Bristol. To
this we have but one reply to make. and 1t IL con
elusive of the whole matter: 1t is that IA colnpa-
ny Of capitalists ut Bristol agree to build the rond
to that point for 800, 600 less than it will cost To
Abingdon. This settles the question. We have
been informed also. that if u bid were made Mt this
time the parties might he willing to go even 5,
perhaps $G00,0D
And now with respect TO the distance saved
The Virginian maintains that it would not exceed
five miles, but in no event, more than six and a
half miles. Let us see. We believe that by
common consent the point Of divergence is fixed
at Poor Valley, thence ON, either by Cove or Liv-
~inpston creeks. If the line should 60 by the
Livingston creek route, the distance from the
common point named. would be to Bristol l9milcs,
and to Abingdon 29A miles. But If. after leaving
Poor Valley tho route should be across the river
to the mouth of Cove creek (that. it is said, nE-
forling the best %graJes,) the distance to Bristol
would still be 10 miles, but to Abingdon 80 miles.
The route to Abingdon has been surveyed but no
report Of the engineer No fnr ~ we know, has yet
been made. In no event, we are eredibly in
formed, can the distance saved be less than ten
miles. whilst it is said, that the distance from
Moccasins Gap to Abingdon, via. Bristol does not
exceed by more than three or four miles, the short
est route that can be found.
This increase Of distance it is claimed. can DO
counterbalnnccd by the superior facilities which
the route affords over any other, in The fact that
the grades being 40 much easier, tonnage could be
transported ut IL diminished rate fully equal Ia
what would be saved by adopting the shorter but
more difficult route.
For the sake OF the argument, however, we
might admit that the route from Cumberland Gap
via. Bristol to Lynchhurg, is five miles greater
than via, Abingdon 1--WE nre pssured that it is not
morc) aud. taking the amount Of tonnage trans
ported over the Va. 4 Tenn. Railroad during the
year So Ms tho basis of calculation. viz 800
tons-we should find according to the Nlrgininn's
estimate that the freight on this extra five miles
would DO about Sl2,91S. Let US then estimate the
interest upon tho excess required to construct the
road to Abingdon ns compared with Bristol, put
ting it at S5OD.UM. and we shall have S3O.oho an
nunlly to pay the Sl2,91S which the Virginian
thinks would bc the extra tax upon tonnage.-
This may not be II fair computation however, for
W. Wv fpA W. 'hhe Nv nun wan w |" KY
increased, but even admit that it is double what it
was in the year just named. there will still be an
annual saving in favor of the Bristol route. We
with our cotcmp"rnry that railroads are
built for the benefit Of the country" in part-but
those who construct them should have the advan-
tage Of the most favorable circumstances for ma
king their expenditure remuncrative, and we can
perceive no %proprie'y or wisdom in making paral-
lei lines of Improvement where the prosperity Of
one must Of necessity be the destruction of the
other; or, both together %languish out n miserable
existence. We want to see this question settled
upon it's merits, and without regard to the local
interests Of Abingdon or Bristol.
The Oregon WAK-DEATn or LIEUT.. ALIEN
The following from the Oregon Times, of August
lblst uiyoe tho purtir,lora nf tho rnptnranF N lurya