Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-02-27
The Virginia Central Railroad.

We arc gratifed to learn, from unqucs-
tionable authority, that the President and
Directorssf this Company have not yet de-
cidcd on a general increase Of the tariff of
tiirir road west of the mountain, ON tie
contrary, that there may be a reduction on
some things. This is as it should be. With
out intending to dictate, or indeed, to be
possessed of tie information which would
enable us to fix ajudicious tariff of charges,
VIC arc yet strongly Convinced that a wise
and enlightened action on this subject would
he materially to reduce tie charges on ,aaa5,
il. net Oh all. the articles carried.
We desire to be understood as not being
of those who would sacrifice the stockhol9-
crs for The good of the public; nor do we
believe that the public COED would be pro-
luoted by such sacrifice. It is perfectly
true, as Mr.. Ellet justly says, that IF d
company aims to obtain the greatest posst-
tic gross revenue, it must succeed by q great
sucrifcc Of dividends In fact the gross
receints Of o company may be enormous,
and yet insufficient to pay tie eapeasc Of
transportation" Whenever a company car
ries for less than cost, Except few articles
specially favoured, for wise reasons. ruin
must be the consequence, net Only to the
stockholders, but ultimately to the work it.
self. AS the friends of the country, and
the especial friends of this road, feeling a
lively interest in its success, we have no de-
sire for such result But, the same high
authority places the true interest of the
country and of the stockholders on the same
foundation, and it is d fortunate circtin-
stance for such companies, that they cannot
accomplish their own best interests without,
at the same time, promoting the interests of
the country through which they pass, while,
by carrying for less than cost, they would
injure tie country by running their work
from which the country derives such i,npor~
tant aid and facilities, Mr. Ellct shows t!iat
by the opposite course of cxtortion, they &C.
stroy themselves not less effectually. He says
tie true charge for each article and cach
position, wW he touna somcuhre betwec1s
the actual cost far transportation and The
pyohtJito,y charge, and it can be demon
strated that tie proper and sacst judicoy
charge can netc7 81 ,,.ose, 5nt'asust aluays
5e somewhat Jclosc tie artMmettra5 ptsu.,, .
between cost and prohibition
This is alive ask. They are words OF
wisdom, and should be written in letters Of
gold, in the NEST conspicuous part Of every
Internal Improvement Company's Office
Every Directory of company, whose tariff
Of charges has not been satisfactorily adjus-
ted, in accordance with that rule, should
feel bound, in duty to their stockholders,
forthwith to sake such steps as Mr.. Ellet
advises for the construction of a toll-sheet
On that wise basis, such tariff, he says,
will produce the greatest possible net rev
cnue" And whGc doabt it? Bv such
atariff the largest possible amount of bust
ness, which tie Improvement vas capable
Of transacting proftably, would '5s' brought
upon it. The greatest possible impulse
would be given to the production of til,
countryth widest possible area, Of terri;
sorry would be brought into commitment -
with the improvements, both for trade aud
travel.
This subject Of increasing the area. s,.t
stimulating the production of the countrY
cannot be too attentivcly considered nor to-
highly appreciated by the Virginia Gel III,
Railroad Company. EsuraJorty of them cal
lave formed but very imperfect conccp
ton Of the capacities of the country, int
the ncighborhood of Which this road ha
penetrated. The cpun,iesof Highland, Bath
Pocahontas Grecubricr, Monroe, now bro
1earer market, practically, than August