Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-01-30
Extract frcm tie Report Of Mr. Fisk,
On the Importa nee Of the CeFingfon
and Ohio Fail Road,

and Ohio Fail Road,
Having shown that the Virginia route
has, in respect Of distance, and the times OF.
transit by passenger trains over the different.
routes of connection between the. east and
west, mo superior for the travel between the
Ohio and Mississippi valleys, and the east
ern cities and that there is only one route
that may be considered as on an equality
with it, for a portion of that travel, an d
then only when continuous lines Of mitoad
are used in its movements eastward and
westward and further that it has great
advantages, both tn distance and IN time,
over most of those routes I will next con-
sider'Whether there are any other advanta-
ges that may be claimed for the Virginia
route.
The first to which | will call attention, is
the fact that the Virginia route passes d.
rectly by the White Sulphur Springs, and
within a few miles Of all the most celebrated
springs of Virginia.
The Importance to the Virginia route Of
it's thus passing by, and in, the nelghhor-
hood Of those places Of great resort by per-
sons from all parts Of the Union, and es-
pecially the southern and southwestern
sections Of the country,sI shall not attempt
to estimate. The number Of visitors hitler
to, Notwithstanding the great difficulty Of
access to the springs, over rough and noun
famous roads, has been great; how much
greater will it be when sle facilities Of rail
road transportation viii enable visitors FROM
Richmond, Washington and Baltimore, to
reach the White Sulphur Springs, and the
'neighborhood Of tie other springs, in frem
10 to 70 hours.
So also, in the opposite direction, sa4sen
the reads projected and constructing, lead
ing into the interior of kentucky and Ten
nessee, and connecting with the Govington
and Ohio railroad shall have been complet-
ed, the facilities of access to the springs
will be equally great. And here | would
call attention to the fact, that the period of
the year when the springs are resorted to,
lis that in which the navigation OF the Ohio
is almost entirely suspended. This Of it.
self will tend to give direction to the
south western travel at that season Of the
year, as an opportunity Of passing by the
springs, and stopping, il but for day,
would alone be sufficient 70 induce many 70
take the Virginia route.
The mildness Of the climate through
which the route passes its consequent free
dom from distractions in the winter; the
light and easy grades and eErsatare across
! the Allegheny, adding much to The safety
Of travel and the beauty, and along New
river thcawildness, Of the scenery, will each
contribute to render the route q fayorite
and popular enc
| There is another consideration THAT will
have weight in inducing q portion Of the
travel of the southern and south western
States to take the Virginia route. 1t is the
only enc of those conn Getting the Ohio river
with the eastern cities, that is wholly in
slave territory and that will consequently
be free frof, the annoyances to which south
ern travellers are sometimes subjected, in
passing over roads or the north side of the
Ohio.
| have made no mention, thus far, Of the
travel between the west and northwest on
! the one side of the Alleghany, and eastern
land seatfa eastern Virginia and tic eastern
portion Of North Carolina, On The other
This travel now passes around Virginia
oyer the Baltimore and Pennsylvania routes.
! No argument is needed to prove that the
Virginia route will be without competitor
for this travel.
recur now, for q moment, e Till 7ub~
ject Of tie carriage Of light and valuable
freight on railroads, for the purpose Of re-
marking. that SO far as the Virginia route
is shown to have the advantage St other
routes for the travel of certain sections of
the western county,, as aepondent On rcla-
tive distances, grades, curvature, and as
cent and descent, it has, looking to Rich
mond and other cities in eastern Virginia,
as its termini on tidewater, the safaa advan-
tage, and for the same reasons. over the
routes terminating elsewhere on tidcwater
| might say greater advantage, fer the effect
OF light grades and curvature it chcapening
! transportation, is felt more sensibly and
benehcially by the freighting, than the pas
senger business of railroads.
And would further remark, that HE
lessening of the cost Of transporting light
/ freight on roads, tends to enlarge the class
Of articles that can afford to pay the charge
for railroad transportation.
! It would appear from all that has been
said on the subject, that the Coyington and
/. Ohio railroad, as q part Of the Virginia
route, would be as valuable work for The
carriage o. passenge md NgAt and roZuoNe
freight as when acting as q railroad portage
for the transport Of heaay portage
Certain it is, that its ability to act cheap
.4ly and efficiently in both capacities must
add largely to its business in each, and,
consequently, to the value Of the improve
ment; fer the carriage of passengers and
tight freight on the one hand and of heary
tonnage on the other are both needed to an
swer fully the requirements Ct trade and at
the same time render the Improvement in
the highest degree productive.
/ Upon the1importanee and value to the
State, Of the Covington and Ohio Railroad,
/ the report adds 4:
[ shall make but few remarks as the. sub
Ijeet is enc well understood, it is believed
! by all interested in the welfare ofsthe>state
A brief statement Of the inconYeniences
at present existing, for want Ct ;hc,road, in
passing between eastern and western Nir-
ginia will give some1lit idess y f the great
value it will have as q connection between
those sections ef the State, and, consequent
( ly also, as q connection between eastern
Virginia and the western States.
The least time in which passengers .aad
letters can now pass through Virginia, be
tween Richmond and Guyandottc, is four
! !! LII i IL. e no1