Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-03-13
Fer the Tsndicofor.
CepfrsI Ea;Iraa Yisfu Rates,


Press. on the line of the road, in editorials
as well as communications from anonymous
correspondents which were based on the al
legation that they had raised their rates toa
standard unsustaincd by justice, good Juds-
ment or the opinion of other railroad man
ayers. while, in fact, tn y we're not only
unchanged, but we're lower than on some
other roads in this State
They have not been inscnsiblctothese ull-
lust attacks, which, being not only personal
" unkind to the Directors, but misleading
the uninformed have injured the innocent
stockholders by alternating the support pat
ronage Of the road, and, indeed, injnring
the patrons of the road, too, by inducing
them to resort to other more expensive
modes of transportation. Though deeply
regretting this mode Of opposition. they
have gone on patiently and quietly in the
discharge of their difficult and responsible
duty, remaining silent until this time, not
in spirit of logged and daisrespectful in
difference to public opinion, but because it
was impracticable, if not inexpcIicnt to an
swer all the newspaper publications. they We
seen and heard of, and moreover, believing
that in many cases these attacks were not the
offspring Of unworthy motives; and now
though engaged in noticing thc subject, it
would occupy too much time, and too much
space in the public prints. to give their rea-
sons for all the changes, which will soon lie
published in the revised rat s: they mus
content themselves with the declaration,
that the rates viii not be so high as has
been stated! nor as high as ON some other
roads, that they have done what was con-
sidered their duty, in the unaninous judy
nsem Of the Board, and rely on the sober
consideration Of the public to SUSTAIN their
action.
The people as Commonwealth have in
vested more than ST. 800, 0os, AMI private
ctizens''upward Of 81 200, 900 in this no ad,
bond holders are interested nearly $4,000
900, the whole cost of the road being about
IS, GOO, 600. The Board of Directors have
this property entrusted to their manage
ment. the owners have right TO expect
and do expect to derive some proft from
it.; complaints are made in the Halls of
Lcgisla ton, and by the private Stockhold-
.ers that this investment is improbable.
This property costing five millions of dol
aars in its original construction, and una
voidably very expensive III its operation, is
open to general nsc, under provisiea Of
laws intended to protect the prsprietors an9
the public; and it must be acknowledged,
sconfers great benefits, in the comfor3s If
a,urci whether for business or social inter
course--in the rap'tlity Of ceDssauaication
in the sosiag ot time to the naE of bust
ness, which is saving Of money, and in
.ytising increased rnluc to the productions IF
sndaary, by quickening and cheapening
thcir transportation ghe public have no
amore right to appropriate advantages fi.a1n
1.-The use Of this species Of properly, than
from any other private property, wfthesst
Just remuneration, and the Board think it
is duty they owe to the private Stock
holders, to those from whom they have
borrowed money, and to the citizens of the
Commonwealth generally, whose taxes will
llavc to pay the States investment, to try
to make it productive.
On the Sth December Last, in p cenwcn-
+ion Of all HE principal RaA Roads Of the
State; the following resolutions were aeep~
ted, viz:
Resolved, that the result Of existing cx-
pcricncc in the operations .ad orr valiesss
dimes Of Rail road ia Virginia, demonstrates
sconclllsively that the present rates of char
yes both upon passengers and tonnage arc
anadcYuatc in price, in view of the immense
1acili,ics afforded by them, and the heavy
cost incurred in tAt.ir4 construction, equip
mont and current working expenses; that
LA, a. Is
sufficient to pay the eest of transported n,
to provide for aainsial depreciation of e1u;
ancnt and repairs Of road, and to return to
shc stockholders such profits upon their
capital as are 1esitisaate55 dsrised fruis, IN
ycstmcnts made elsewhere, the effect of
which, would operate to give additional
credit to their securities, eiasance the vaaec
of their stock and afford more stability to
our whole system of Entcrnal Improve
sncnts.
Resolved, that the privilege of passing
over the Rail Roads of the State, without
charge ought to be carefully limited, and
aot allowed in any case without good and
sufficient reasons therefor, GA the part os
al9se granting the same.
The Board felt tneand to respect the ac-
tion of the cnnve1ition, accordingly at a
meeting on the Goth of Jannaay last. it W s
Ordered, that the rate of passenger a Z
be cents per mile, varying at diffcre;
points few cents to make even change
Resolved, That the Superintendent
make out new tariff of freight charges,
and whilst s54it8 few articles require re-
1uction, there is to lie ar Increase en- the
greater number, equal to about 10 per cent.
The reviaal Of a tariff is work of con
siderable difficulty, and labor, III its proper
adjustment, ard preparation for use. 1t is
prepared on the principles Of the resolutions
of 10Th january. and is now submitted, rs
the result Of the best jtdg.nent of the
Board, in tie discharge OF their duty
There is an increase in She passenger Fare,
too small to he felt BY an individual, but
which in the aggregate, Will be important
to the CompanS. There are many changes
in the toll-shcct, tic ,nsjority of which,
very slightly increase the rates, but by al
tering the csa4ifcstions aud otherwise,
many of the charges result in q reduction,
particularly on long distances, and some Of
thc rates remain unchanged
On behalf Of the Eoard
f. FONTkINE, Prs.
Office Va. Central R. r. Co.