Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-13
The Internal Improvement Cause.

The Internal Improvement Cause.
There will lac II" very great progress made
in Internal Improvements in this State for /;
year to come. The appropriation of SS'H,
900 to the Covington and and Ohio Railroad
will enable the conductors IF that work Il
make some progress and To keep the work
that has been done from dilapidation. But
that sum cannot, IN Il space Of two years. ac'
rompish anything worthy of 50 great al ell
tcrrrisc: IN enterprise which is to put Nir'
ginia in direct connection. by the most rapid
known mode of conveyance. with the great
Western States and their extensive and inf
nitcly disseminated system of Railroads. In
the condition of things, howeyer-thc two
Years recess of the Legislature, and the small
amount appropriated to this great measure
We NAV congratulate ourselves upon the
reflection that this amount conducts the work
further on towards completion, and while II
strengthens the reasons for its prosecution, II
dimnishrs the hopes and chances of Undue
Ing the State to abandon it; Il step which the
anti-intcrnal improvement party have from
beginning hoped to see it compelled to take.
The Orange and Alexandria Extension
will be prosecuted with energy, no doubt,
and will likely he completed before the meet
ing Of the next Legislature That road is
one. not 50 much for the aggrandizement and
wealth OF the State as it is for the convenience
of travel and the promotion Of the prosperity
of Railroad Companies. ~ The money will
no doubt be had, for this reason, Ia 90 ahead
with it. without the aid Of the State. The
Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire Rail
,nl Il In InS M no
prospect of Il stream Of through travel to
stimulate It's prosecution. but must depend on
the resources Of the country it trayerseS for
its support Its friends will endeavor to
make progress with it; but they cannot go very
fast or very far for these reasons. 1t must,
after all. rel y upon the State.
The Orange and Alexandria Railroad riW
be of great benefit to the State at large, AZ
well as 10 the Railroad Companies. The
writer, also, omits 10 speak of the Manassas
Cap Road, IA work of great interest to the
agriculturistS of the finest portion of the
State, and which is going on with its work.
The Virginia and kentucky Road is loca-
ted. and some work has been commenced on
the cmbanking aud cutting for the track
The work, however, has been suspended by
order of the Public Works, until the ques-
ton of the Eastern terminus shall be settled.
We imagine but little can be done with that
during the year, and that it and the Alexan-
dria Railroads will be applying with the
Coyington and Ohio next winter for assis-
lance from the Treasury.
The Richmond and York River Railroad
has some money i'll pocket and will 90 on to
lay its track. Before Autumn it will likely
be in operation to the Pamunkcy. This road
will be of greater benefit to this city than
some "four own citizens believe, and We shall
feel highly gratitied TO see it going on to an
early completion.
The extension of the Roanoke VALLEY Rail
road from Gainesville to Keysyille, We look
upon as fixed fact, and one of the railroad
schemes which is likely to be first completed.
1t will contribute largely to the trade of this
city, and very much enhance the prosperity
of the Danville Railroad
The James River and kanawha Canal,
which New York has regarded as the only
competitor with her water line for the trade
of the great Ohio Valley, we are sorry to say,
must stand perfectly still 1t must patiently
await that reaction which has certainly be-
gun in the public mind in it's behalf, but
which has gone on, We fear. too slOwl " TO
give it Just now the strength to secure the
proper measures for its prosecution.
We shall not therefore, have done great
deal between the last and the next session of
the Legislature when it meets The reason
is good. We have not had the money, and
railroads and canals cannot be built without
it. While going along SO much slower than
other States in these grand enterprises, it is
possible we may be somewhat rested and re-
cupcrated for Il more vigorous and hearty eff
fort next year. and we hope we shall be able
10 make it.-Rtch. Disp.