Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-16
VIRGINIA lMPROvEMENTS-CO
AND OHIO RAILROAD

WeendeaVored 10 SNOW IN our last that there lie moth
ing in the state OF the finances to forbid moderate sp
propratons at the present session. for the prosecu.
too OF our public works
SapposiBg our position in that regard to be correct
weproceed to urge some of the considerations that de-
mand immediate and favorable action at the hands
OF the Legislature.
We bold that every consideration of State interest
and of State pride imperousy requires that should
not delay for single day beyond unavoidable necess
ty the prosecution of the Covington and Ohio Rail
Road 1t ia now conceded that in conne1ion with the
Canal and the Central Rail Road, it presents the d.
rectest and shortest transit between the capes of Vr
gnis and the great West.
1t is also admitted that in every other respect it
claims Infinite superiority to every other line of Rail-
road connection between the Seaboard and the West
10 say nothing of the better climste-an advantage
by no means inconsiderable-it possesses another
the Gift of Gods benefcencs-w no amount Of
human effort or capital can offsst, and which rules
out of competition with it, both for travel and trade
every opposing thoroughfare between the East and
the West; and that advantage s-that has far east
er grades than any competing line whatsoever. Its
highest grades for the trade coming East to the com.
mencement OF tho witer.line at Covington, are 29l
feet, while those of is only formidable compettor
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad are ll6 feet 10 the
mile.
This advantage ingrades gives us, n contest for
the Western trade, conclusive and irresistible supe
rioryi Tor, oy both the scenoe and experience Of the
question, the same amount of motive power will
transport nearly four times Us much tonnage on the
low grades of the Covington and Ohio Railroad, as
twill on the high grades of the Baltimore and Ohio.
In point, then, both of capacity for transportation,
and of cheapness of misunderstanding latter ruling
consideration-the Covington and Ohio Railroad has
incomparaby the advantage over even its most dan.
gerous rivals.
Ii ever, therefore, we to regain for Virginia a
respectable commerce, and to end the worse than pro-
vincal dependence she s now under to the North we
must fn;'h the Covingon and Ohio Railroad. There
can II II, sesuscitaton of Virginia commerce with.
out It, With it, that resuscitation is absolutely sure,
It being law OF trade as well settled as any physical
law, that the shortest and cheapest line takes the
trade.
The indispensable necessity of this great thorough.
fare TO the trade of Virginia. may be illustrated by
the fact that tobacco raised in Putu.m and Kanswha
scending the Ksnawha river ascending the Ohio TO
Wheeling, crossing by the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road to Baltimore, and thence down the Bay and up
the James river, describing circuit of more than
| q thousand miles, when, with the Covirgton and
Ohio Railroad completed, it might have reached the
warehouses Of Richmond in almost straight line, in
less than half the distance in one fifth the time with
but single transhipment and at about one fourth the
cost!
This most striking illustration should Of itself,
wake up the Legislature to sense of the mighty i'm.
portance of this great improvement. The single fact
is worth whole volumes Of argument. 1t speaks,
indeed, an argument for the great work which the
logic of man can never refue. Let US make the ap-
plication. What drives Kanawha and Putnam TO-.
bacco to this crcuitous, tedious and cosy route to
market7 Nothing but absolute necessity. 1t must
either take the route before mentioned, or 20 down
the Ohio and Mississippi to the Gulf, and thence
round by sea to the Capes of Virginia, and thence
up tin .Ja..ss 81 pi-h.nnnh
But complete the Covington and Ohio Rail Roed
to conne1ion with the canal at Covington, and
what will be the RESULT line will be opened nearly
two.thirds shorter in distance than any other; thai.
will reduce threefourhs the COS. of transportation
and save many days and often weeks in the Time of
transit and the consequence will be-ss sure as any
human thing can be-that not only would the tobacco
OF Kanawha and Putnam, but most Of the tobacco
crop of Kentucky and Tennessee, amounting to some
30 or 10000 hogsheads, per annum, come through
our Central line to the markets Of Virginia. because
it would be shorter, cheaper and more expeditions
in word, would furnish a most material saving in
distance time and expense.
And so bacon and whskey are sent from Cincin-
natl to Richmond by the same circuitous route via
Wheeling, Baltimore, the Capes, and the James
River.
Making the application again, would barrel Of
whiskey or hogshead of bacon, seeking Virginia
any Eastern market, pass the Ohio terminus of the
Covington and Ohio Rail Road when it would find
at that point shorter and cheaper transit Eastward
Now, what is true Of the Kanawha and Putnam to.
bacco, and Cincinnati whiskey and bacon, will be true
of every article of Western export coming Eastward
up the Obo It will seek the Virginia, and the other
Eastern markets, by our line Of improvements, in
preference TO any other.
II we arc right in these views, our only sure hope
for the commercial regeneration Of Virginia, is in the
completion Of the Covipgton and Ohio Rail Road,
which alone can underbid the competing line, by
Offering to the Western trade speedier and cheaper
transit Eastward.
The commercial view Of the subject which we here
present. derives additional force from the fact that
the Hon. VIM. D. Preston hes recently returned from
his mission to Europe, with definite and tangible pro-
positions for the establishment Of line of steamers
between Europe and the waters of Virginia. Most pro.
badly, as the result of MIR. Prestons enlightened and
patriotic efforts, such line will be, at least commenc.
ed. Most devouty do We hope that it will be- We re.
joice at, and shall take every chance for any and
every effort for the commercial regeneration and in
dependence of Virginia.
And how shall we so certainly sustain the contem.
plated enterprise, a, by opening in the cheapest and
most expeditions mode the vast trade of the West to
the seaports of Virginia.
We may sustain such line from other SOURCES
But bring the valley of the Ohio in short and cheap
reach Of the deep waters Of the State and there will
be trade enough TO establish, once and forever regn
lar steam communication between our own State and
Europe. The great desderatum of direct CONNER.
DIAL communication with Europe, and of commercial
independence, will be then absolutely sure.
INTERESTING LETTER RESPECTING THE FEEL
ING ENTERTAINED IN NEW YORK TOWARDS
THE MOUNT VERNON PURCHASE.
The following extract ia from letter addressed to
the Secretary of the Mount Vernon Association, by
Mr.. S. B. Ruggles:
II am fully persuaded that you need but to remove
ali legal difficulties by obtaining the contract OF Mr..
Washington in irrevocable form. to make sure of
collecting the money needed. We have no portion of
our community at the North small enough 10 refuse 10
contribute to this sacred object. We need only to see
by proper laws that our contribution will be eec.
tual.
"Rejoicing in anticipation on the success of your
bill, flor will no. believe that the Ancient Dolin-
ion has lost its ancient renown,) I remain, yours,
faithfully, SAMUEL b. RUGGLES."
"To Mrs. 8. L. PELLET, Secretary of Noun. Yer.
non Association"
THE LECoMPToN COMMITTEE.
The following is stated to be the political complex.
ion ofths committee appointed, last week, by Speak.
10 ~.