Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-30
For the Enquirer
LETTERS,
ON THE EIMPROYEMESTS RESOURCES AND COM
MERGE OF PIRGINIA.

AND INFLUENCE.
tits neither my office, nor intention at present, 10
pronounce psnegyric on railroads, philippe on
heir management since praise sr condemnation
would be equally inappropriate as general sppca.
.ion but We may be allowed to remark, that it is
equally as possible for State to have too many rail.
roads, AZ for railroads TO have too many friends to
be profitable a. investments. In either case the d.
yidends are proportiOnately small though the
ed value of county or State, is enhanced in cor
responding degree to the number and length of its
roads, Yet no one i5actually benefited by the extra
vagance of their administration.
The language, or meaning here, may be ambiguous,
but the point is plain. Rival roads like those of New
York-he New York and Erie and the New York
Ceniral-when running in opposition they do,
exert a baneful influence OH each others prosperity.
But the other hand, this competition ensures the
people against monopoly and developea resources
not otherwise attainable. The same may b. said Of
the parallel lines through Maryland and Northern Vr
gins. 1t seems however, matter of doubtful po-
cy, to pay and keep up two railroads where ane
might answer the same purpose by means OF feeder,
&C. Neither does it seem just that the business oi
lines established originally at an immense cost and
sacrifice, by the promptngs Of enterprising and pa
triotio spirits, should be drawn off by new compete
tors built under more auspicious circumstances, when
the people were thicker and stronger. But those are
evils which seem unavoidable in new and extensive
countries, where towns and cities spring up uneA'
pectedy and almost mysteriously, as if the potent
clamp of Aladdin" exerted its magical Influence
among our Western yses. We cannot. however
be denied railroad connections for railroads are the
life, the spirit Of this truly "iron age" and what one
loses another gains.
On the subject of railroad administration and man.
ayement results more conclusive if not satisfactory
might be arrived at; but advice or comment would
be alike unproflsbe since experience alone can re-
medy tho abuses of this wise and benehcen, though
mparatively new institution, and remove some OF
the evils which now burden the best OF enterprises.
The uses of railroads, is subject more congenial
to our feelings and relates closely to the argument at
true policy OF the State in regard to her in.
ternal improvements whether II be in building rail-
roads or canals, or opening rivers to navigation.
Perhaps comparison will be the beet argument We
can use in this relation. New York, Pennsylvania
and Ohio we're at one time as far behind Virginia, in
numbers, wealth and influence, as they now are in
advance of her and why ia this Not because they
have any natural advantages over this State on the
contrary, we have decidedly every advantage that
nature could give over them. II ia logical then TO
conclude that the energy and erertion OF the people
have created their present superiority and with such
q certainty before US, how plain seems the remedy.
New York, with 49, LOU square miles of territory
has population of 100000 and contains 3,6oO
miles Of railroads $l25 25,ODOUO, with over
GOU miles of canals costing S50OOO,0OO in addition
These great works have been accomplished by the
energy and labor Of her people, aud have not only
been the means of developing her innate wealth and
making almoAt every acre Of ber domain valuable,
but have aIso built up great emporium or centre OF
trade to which the merchants and money kings OF The
world flock receive the tribute Of the West and the
spoils of the South.
Pennsylvania with 46O0O square miles now con.
,sins 500 900 inhabitants. In 1920 the number
only l,O49 45S She has over 900 miles OF canals
aud one of her numerous lines of railroads, though
but a3 miles in length, cost over $4,000 600. But
that single road, with the help Of parallel line Of ca
nal carries to Philadelphia 30OOOOO tons OF coal
per aunum, besides vast amount of other freight
and travel and the influence exerted that city may
he deduced from the fact that before the opening of
these avenues the total number Of arrivals (shppng)
at the Port Of Philadelphia, was only l4s2 Now the
whole number OF arrivals exceed 3O,OJO!' And much
of this great increase is due TO the Reading Railroad
and the Schuylkill Canal. The ultimate capacity Of
those works Is estimated at 5OOOOOO tons per annum.
New York Central Railroad.-In 1853 the length Of
this road was $40 miles the cost $35 oOO the in
come from passengers s267' .3l6; the income from
freight 81 ES3 Si0 the total income $l,5l6l4o; the
receipts per mile 1856: the costper mile $6S6S6.
New York and Erie Railroad.-ln 1853 the length
Of this road was 46O miles; the cost s34,OOOOO the
income from passengers 81 372,277 the Income from
freight So 459 745 the total income $3s32Ol5; the
receipts per mile $s,3'O the cost per mile 7l7W.
Pennsylvania Central Railroad In 1853 the length
Of this road was $50 miles the coat sl7 ,OOO.OO0i
the income from passengers 81 ,0o97sD; the income
from freight 81 7 800 the total income - 576,26O
The receipts per mile 81 500; the Cos, per mile
s4s,2s9.
Philadelphia Reading and Potsville Railroad
In 1854 the length Of this road was IS miles, the cost
sls 900, 900; the income from passengers $526 s69
the income from freight S29ll 52s the total income
s. 966 262 the receipts per mile S422S" the cost
per mile sl93,3iS.
The above table will convey some idea of the uses
and ralue of railroads. and at the same time present
the magnitude of these great works which have been
completed and are now in operation in the neghbor
ing States.
In 1870, Ohio was a wilderness -whst Virgins
10
contained over ,OO00 QUO of inhabitants Now, on'o'
with 80 900 square miles Of territory, contains over
oOOOOOO of inhabitants, five great canals and rail
rosds too numerous to detail.
We might also compare Massachusetts, with her
limited extent and stubborn SOIL as overcoming every
disady sntags of Nature, and triumphing in her
strength and influence, but the foregoing should De
sufficient since it fairly proves that these three
States, which have, in few years, 80 completely
outsriped Virgna-once the Empire State-n num-
bers, wealth. and influence. have done 80 by enter
prise, energy, and exerion; bat they have to1ored
hard for the prize which they have won II proves
too, as far ss logic will co. that system OF rail roads
and canals are absolutely indispensable in the de-
veIopment of internal and external resources-these
great elements of wealth.
Virginia contains "a 900 squsre miles Of territory,
and over 100000 inhabitants and her dssessed
valuation in 1850 was only 1891 ,16, $50, while that
of New York, with 10000 square miles, was over
| ono millions of dollars. And Massachusetts, with
onIy 800 square miles 900 Of inhabitants, and
$50 miles Of rail road, was assessed at $59Oo3le esi
Can better argument be used in favor OF rail road'
and improvements generally; or what can demonstrate
more plainly their inAuencel
How can Virginia, with her extended territory
combine her powers, and bring her strength to TO
GUS without tbose great connecting links those
bond, of union, intercourse and development o
what value to her would be q 900 square rpile
of coal deposits. her mountains of iron and copper
and lead when these articles ooud be brought to he
capital from other States. over thousands OF miles o.
,ak az, rivers canals and rail roads, cheaper than We
could transport them fifty miles, without tns'e sfea'
avanpes of trsdel Produce would be ss Eaueiess 10