Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-19
For Ne Enquirer
YORK RIVER RAIL ROAD.

Messrs Editors "A writer in the Enquirer" O
yesterday over the signature Of "Soah.West' il ar
suing against appropriations during the present ses
sion of the Legislature to works Of internal improve
nen uees tie following language in reference to the
Richmond and York river rail road
Next comes the York River rail road. We do mol
possess sufficient information about Il 10 speak al
visediy but a. il is work more 10 the benefit o.
Richmond than the State, all appropriation to it, aside
from one on its merits dement's, !. species o.
! .class legislation' thar should be avoided"
Tho fret aud moat obvious remark upon such
statement t. that the writer should have fret suppcc
himself with Sufficient Information" before he under
took 10 express opinion on the subject 81 all. Bu
as DO not desire 10 engage IN controversy with
"Sou;s West" shall content iHyaaf with the simple
remark that he 10 totally mistaken IN Bis views az
doubtless he himself will conclude after inspecting the
internal Improvement map OF the State, aud better n
forming himself in regard 10 the importance Of thai
work.
The York river rail road was never designed b;
liz projectors to be- and ia not regarded by its friends
IA 10 any sense, peculiarly Richmond scheme, uoI
80 regarded by the city, ia proved by the stcu
opposition TO Il. always displayed by portion OF thu
citizens of Richmond. and tho lukewarmness AID
Indifference st felt by thelu towards it. True, thai
in this particular the friends Of this work think the
city blind to its own interests. Its completion gives
to Richmond the commercial advantages which
harbor of boundiess capacity, great depth of water
and easy access both from lane aud necessarily
afford. On this head Lieutenant Naury esy.
'irum West Point 1.-THE Eastern terminus of the
road) there 10 water enough to pass right on
to SEA any merchant ship in the country. ex
, to the very terminus of the road "there ia water
enough" on the only bar that impedes approach
to II, (which is about two miles below to "give
| it for large clippers practical tug capacity o.
at least twenty one feet at low and twenty five fee
at high water" Such a h8rhor. in one hour and d
half of Richmond by rail road must: of course, be
great desderatum to that city, the largest CONNER
cia and manufacturing city AS it is, in the State Blu
/ = tho fact raA, 81
mere local, q mere Richmond schenei If SO, ther
the State at large has no nteres: ia the navigation
James River from Rockets IN Hampton Roads
it flows only for the benefit Of Richmond, aud its im
provement ought be discouraged; because. TO do
would be for the benefit OF Richmond and woulc
be spscies vt 'cass legislation" Your present
respondent. Messrs. Editors, takes widely different
! view
| The internal Improvement map shows that Rich
mopd Is connected with the entire system OF rail road
In the State, besides having the Canal stretching from
it's very doors 10 the great West. When this system
is completed, it Is Confidently predicted that Only he
!air share Of the immense trade OF the Ohio and Mis-
sis .ippi valleys and OF our Town interior, will
| Richmond mart whose commerce Will refuse longer
10 be limited to the ooasting trade, with now and the:
small bsrque or brig TO the West Indies and South
America She must have shorter and easier outlet t.
tho ocean and the markets OF the world than she now
Possesses Such an one Is afforded by the York River
ran road and just in proportion as il ministers to III,
growth and prosperity Of the city, will rebound
the dement, nt the State q. large. The York Rive
.s foaa 10, In TACT but an extension of the Canal,
the C@otral. aud Covins;ou aud Ohio, and the Dan
rie ran roads &c deep wat-r; it is an essential link il
tue he os communication between the waters of lhs
Chesapeake snG thoss OF the grea, western valley
ana. rs such, 10 entitled preerl,reu,ly to rand as
Stale work. IN contrsdsiincnon TO WORKS Of p m,r.
local cha'act ard importance.
In addition u what has been said above lbs work
on the road such as grading, masonry, &C. il ~ ,
forward state--!nore than four Gtths done tie "a
pspng work being iiSh, and cuch ID could speedii,