Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-03-24
For the Spectator
Central Railroad Revised Rates.


For some time past the Board of Directors of
this Company have been made the object of Sc
we're animadversion through the Press on the
line of the Road in editorials as well as from a.
nOnymous correspondents, which were based on
the allegation that they had raised their rates to
q standard unsustained by justice, good judge
rnent or the opinions of other Railroad managers,
while in fact they not only were unchanged but
were lower than on some other Roads in this
State.
They have not been insensbe to these un.
Just attacks which being not only personally un-
kind to the Directors, but misleading the unin-
formed, have injured the innocent stockholder,
| by alternating the support and patronage OF the
Road, and indeed injuring the patrons of the
Road too, by inducing them to resort to other
more expensive modes of transportation. Tho
deeply regretting this mode of opposition, they
have gone on patiently and quietly in the dis
Charge of their difficult and responsible duty, re-
naming silent until this time not in spirit OF
dogged and disrespectful indifference to public
opinion, but because it was impracticable If not
nexpedient to answer all the newspaper publi-
cations they have seen and heard OF, and more
over, believing that in many cases these attacks
were not the offspring of unworthy motives.
Though engaged now in noticing the subject, it
would occupy too much time and too much space
in the public prints, to give their reasons for all
the changes which will soon be published in the
revised rates. they must content themselves
with the declaration, that the rates will not be
as high as has been stated, nor as high as on
some other Roads: that they have done what
was considered their duty in the unanimous
judgment of the Board, and rely on the sober
consideration of the public to sustain their ac-
ton.
The people as Commonwealth have invest
ed more than 81 500, ,0O0 and private citizens up
wards of 81 1000 in this Road-the whole
cost of the Road being about $5,0o0,0O0. The
Board of Directors have this property entrusted
to their management; the owners have right
10 expect and do expect to derive some pront
from it complaints are made in the Halls OF
legislation and BY private stockholders that this
investment is Improbable.
This property costing five millions OF dollars
in its original construction, and unaVoidaoly
very expensive in its operation, is open to geI-
erai use under provision of laws intended to pro-
rect the proprietors and the public, and II must
be acknowledged, confers great benefits, in the
comforts of trauel, whether for business or social
intercourse, in rspidity of communication, 10
he muing of time 10 the man OF business. winch
is saving OF money, and in giving increased rat
We to the productions of industry, by qulcken'og
and cheapeDing their transportation. The pub
lie lave no more right to appropriate advantages
from the use of this species OF property, than
from any other private property wlthout just
remuneration and the Board thinks It is q DUTY
they owe the private stockholder, to those from
whom they have borrowed money, and 10 tne
citizens of the Commonwealth generally, whose
taxes will have to pay the States lnVestmenl0
try to make it productive.
'On the 9th of December last in Convention
of all the principle Railroads of the State, the
following resolutions were adopted:
"ResoIced. That the result of existing expert
ence in the operations of our various lines OF
Railroad in Virginia, demonstrates conclusively
that the present rates of charge both upon pas.
sengers and Tonnage are inadequate in price, in
view of the immense facilities afforded by them
and the heavy cost incurred in their construc-
ton, equipment and current working expenses,
that the same ought to be increased in a sum
sufficient to pay the cost of transportation, 10
provide for annual depreciation OF equipment,
and repairs of road and to return to the stock
holders such profits upon their capital as are le-
ultimately derived from investments elsewhere,
the effect of which would operate to give addi-
tonal credit to their securities, enhance the val
ne of their stock and afford more stability to
our whole system of internal improvement.
'Resolred, That the privilege of passing over
the several Railroads of the State without
charge. ought TO be carefully limited, and not
allowed In any case without good and sufficient
reasons therefor, on the part OF those granting
the same" "acdg ~
The Board felt bound to respect the action Of
this Convention accordingly at q meeting on
the goth of January last, it was
"Ordered that the rate of passenger fare De
a. 1-2 cents per mile. varying at different points
to make even change.
"Rssolred, That the Superintendent make out
a new Tariff of freight charges, and whilst some
few articles require reduction, there is to be
IN increase on the greater number equal to d.
bout 10 per cent"
The revisal of Tariff is work of consider
able difficulty and labor in its proper adjustment
and preparation for use. 1t is now prepared IN
conformity with the resolutions of the 20th jan
uary. submitted as the result of the best Judg-
ment of the Board in the discharge OF their du-
ty. There is en- increase in the passenger fare,
TOO small to be felt by an individual, but winch
in the aggregate will be important to the Com.
oany. There are many changes in the toll
sheet the majority of which very slightly IN
crease the rates, but by altering the casslnca-
lion and otherwise many of the changes result
IN reduction, particularly on long distances,
and some of the rates remain unchanged; ou
behalf of the Board, +. Fun lAlNE
Office Va. @. r. R Co., President.
March 9Th, 1868.
N. B. The revised rates will 60 into opera
ton on the 1st of April. T. l.
A RAILWAY TRAIN STOPPED BY BRIeANDs.--
t.D