Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-13
The Virginia Central Railroad.


Much discomfort exists along the whole
line of this road, in consequence of the re-
cent action Of the Company and Board Of
Directors raising the charge on freight and
travel. 1t seems to as, tie movement is a
very unwiso one, and that the complaints Of
the people are altogether just The char
gcs on freight are in many instances enor-
nlous, in all, above the proper mark. The
apology for these high rates used to be, the
great cost of making and working the tenn
porary track. The people submitted in the
hope Of better days. What is their aston
ishment now to be told that, on the eve of
opening the Tunnel, another raise is to be
made If this design is to be pcrscvered
in indeed, if there is not material rcduc-
ton IL the freight and passenger fare, on
the opening Of the Tunnel, the company
must expect to hear very plain talk, and a
good deal of it, from their best friends. It
may be contendcd, that the proposed high
rates are necessary for a reasonable revenue.
We are satisfied that, on the contrary, the
revenue is diminished by such enormous
charges. The circle Of business is greatly
contracted energies Of the country
Frustrated, and many articles prohibited d
travel is diminished and will be driven off
finally, TO rival carriers But, if those who
favor these high rates would succeed in con-
yincing the country shat such rates are nee
essay to keep VI tie work, they would sue
eoed, al Tic same time. in proving that Rail
Roads arc a huns5ug and a curse to the
country. and ought 10 be abandoned When
road wagons toek -four to Winchester from
Staunton at fifty cents barrel, it is idle to
pretend that seventy five cents to Richmond,
over railroad, is a reasonable charge Yet
this is the charge for flour, and that is one
of the .5acose1 articles Of freight. While
-four is carried for IS cents hundred, all
articles of the first class, which are most
numerous, costs G5 per hundred between
Staunton and Richmond, chairs range
from Is TO SO cents piece, between the
same point. When the railroad rested at
Charlottesville, and Mcchum's River. pas
scngers went from Stanton to Richmond
for S. Now, the charge has gradually
crawlcd Up to s. IS, and is to be raised, af-
ter the Tunnel is opened, to over six. Where
viii it stop?
1t seems to US that the Directory of our
road have greatly misunderstood the sus-
gestions Of Mr. Ellct, in his admirable let
tct Of the 18th Of October last, on the sub
ject OF adjusting proper tariff Of charges.
lie says 1.-THE true char &c for each article
and each position, will be found somewhere
between the actual cost of transportation,
and the prolibitory charge In fact, it can
be demonstrated that, if we add together,
for each article and each position, the ac-
tual cost of transportation, and the prohibi-
tory charge, and take tho Arithmetical
mean, between the two, we shall have, in
most cases, very nearly that charge which
will yield the naGntnanna nett reuenue. p
Mr. E'llct, thcn wisely adds the following
emphatic caution. which the Central Rail
road Company seem entirely to have over
looked la addition, We may know-for
it can be demonstrated that the proper
md most judicious charge can never be
above, but must a7uags &c somemhat 5clop
5he Arithmitecal mean thus obtained Ar.
i1lict says this work should be performed BY
competent engineer, or other officer well
qualified, as the solution of a purely scien-
ific problem" Has the Central Railroad
company employed such competent person
o perform such q work It is most I'M
'ortant work, on which the welfare Of the
'ublc and the success Of the Road vitally
cpend. The proper performance of which
Tc are satisfied would result in reducing
I'D not IN raising the present rates Of
barge, and in most material increase Of
he revenues Of the Company.
We have always been the stoadfast and
Enthusiastic friends Of Internal Improve +
acnt in Virginia, and of this road in par
ocular. The above remarks are made in
% unkind spirit, but with the sole purpose
t drawing tie attention Of the able and ex-
crlonccd Directory Of the Company to this
Important subject, and Of arrcating what
We cannot but consider ruinous policy and
ne which, if pcrscyered iii, must give q
'roat back-set to tie public improvements
+ the State by exciting the just prcjudiccs
t the people against them.
The Central Railroad.
The Charlottesville Advocate makes suc-
.ostiOn To The Central rs;Iroad . croooe