The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-02-27
COMMUNICATIONS.

MEssss EDITORS:
Permit a citizen who has had some opportunities
for acquiring information respecting city rail roads
omake suggestion that will readily test the expe-
diency of resorting to them in Baltimore, where it
really does seem that they not either needed
or desired, and especially obnoxious to those
owning property on the streets have been designed
for the laying Of the tracks
There already two railway tracks-one ex-
tending from the eastern to the western limits and
the other from the southern almost to the northern
limits of the city These tracks are almost entirely
free from obstruction during the day-the freight
trains being passed over them in the right drawn
by locomotives. The Pratt street track is used by
the Baltimore and Ohio Rail Road Company for the
conveyance of passengers between the Camden and
President streets depots at certain hours during the
day. but seldom not to interfere at all with the
arrangement | am now about to propose.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company might
begin TO run passenger cars on the track as now
laid-a few at frst-as will soon be able to see
whether it is likely be profitable, or whether the
citizens will use it any extent. If desirable the
Company can add to the number of their cars and
gradually perfect their arrangements, SO as prof
liable, to derive all the possible from this
source. They can then extend their arrangements
limits, without inter fering with any material inter-
est, or exciting just opposition from those whose
property would be much deprecated by any new
track. Every advantage to the Company too, will
add to the prosperity of the city, and tend re-
lieve citizens from taxation to the extent that
the city stockholders, shall be benefited bv in
creased dividends. This proposition deserves, |
think additional consideration, from the fact thai
Pratt street East and West, is the ONLY avenue
through which railroad is at all feasible Fayette
street presents iasurmounaJle difficulties as must
be apparent to any sensible person. and think Lom
bard street is almost unavailable. To run rail
way through Baltimore street, is, | take it, as alb
surd as to give the use of sidewalks to the en-
CINE companies- it would be simply to surrender
every other interest to the convenience of suburban
residents and to sacrifice business interests of meal
culable value The editor of city paper in this
mornings issue, seems indeed to view the inaugu-
ration of railroad as an improvement, but take
it he has not given to the subject his usual
care and attention In New York, these city
roads regarded almost generally, a ne
cessary nuisance the limits of their corporation be-
ing extended, chat residents in the upper wards
find difficulty otherwise in reaching their homes
Every avenue through which they pass, is unver-
sally admitted to be injured thereby and rendered
undesirable for residences.
The business done along such highways is of the
meanest sort, and visitor to the Empire City can
fail to observe the great difference between the rail-
road avenues and the other streets.
Streets that were eagerly sought for residences
before the tracks were laid are so uncomforta-
BILE that residents gradually moving to more
quiet localities as the business that springs up is
more of that sort that could be much better dis
pensed with. 100 aJ
Sentiment is so universal on this subject in New
York, that am surprised that any one can assert
that property along railway avenue is improved