The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-16
Our richmond Correspondence.

Bet,ceen THO Great Lines of Transportation
The Bolts National Club at Washington
Where 1t eras Organized Letcher 10 be Encoun-
tered on The Stump-Parades Of Presidential
Aspirants- Robbery, dc.
By the completion of the Norfolk and Peters
burg Railroad new channel of trade is opened up
to New York, which is probably second in impor-
lance to none other outside of the Empire State
itself. This road forms the eastern end Of an I'M
broken railroad connection between Norfolk and
Memphis, by the Virginia and Tennessee and East
Tennessee and Virginia Railroads. Whatever idea
may be formed of the ultimate establishment of
steamship line between Norfolk and Europe, as
necessity of the vast increase in the commerce Of
this region which would result from the completion
of these great lines of railroad, there can be no
doubt of their being first projected with reference
to New York. This fact is fully established by the
rivalry which now exits for the New York trade
between the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad and
its southwestern and southern connections and the
Memphis, Savannah and Charleston linet. The
freight charges on the former have been recently
reduced to an equal standard with the latter, so
Norfolk by railroad, and thence by water to New
York, at the same rates charged from Mem
phis to New York via Savannah and
Charleston. BY the Norfolk route a great saving
greater safety of navigation between Norfolk and
New York over these other ports, while in point of
time an advantage of at least twelve or fourteen
hours will be gained. When the advantages of this
route are fully known, there can be no doubt of its
being made the principal medium for the transpor-
tation of merchandise from New York to the South
and Southwest. 1t combines every essential fea.
ture that render it overwhelmingly, cheap
ness, expedition and safety-and as a medium of
travel it cannot fail to be largely patronzed, since
by it saving of at least two days is effected be-
tween New York and New Orleans. Moreover, its
route lies in the most favored and healthy region
of the country, and in latitude free from the dis
advantages of either extreme Of temperature.
This is the new route which Is now contcnding
for monopoly of the trade between Memphis and
New York. You are not, however, to estimate its
advantages as great channel of trade merely
with reference to these points which form the basis
of its rivalry with the Memphis, Savannah and
Charleston lines. Its greatest advantage consists
in the fact that it traverses country richer in ag
ricutural and mineral productions than OF any SINH
lar extent, perhaps, on the face of the globe. or
all these it enjoys the full benefit in transitu, while
proportionate risks, insurance charges, &c.
have it upon the very best authority that al
most all the produce transported over this line and
its connections to Memphis are forwarded to New
York So general has boon tho manifestation in
the South and Southwest to make New York the
point of destination for goods forwarded over that
line, that it was found necessary to frame SEIZED
ue of charges with reference to that city from the
large accessions to the coastng trade between Nor
folk and New York which this great line has
brought, the steamship company now owning the
jamestown and Roanoke have deemed it necessa-
ry to order the construction of another vessel But
this addition will be entirely inadequate to the
qurements of this trade when those Developments
take place in the interior ofVrginia and Tennessee
to which the completion of these lines will be &C
cessory. According to the testimony of gentle
man who travelled through great portion of Eng
land and France, the Norfolk and Petersburg Rail
road compares favorably with any of the lines in
those countries 1t measures eighty miles, and cost
including cars, engines, &c. 81 100000. 1t was
commenced in 1854, with capital stock of $780,,
coo, all paid save 100000 State subscription, which
is secured and will be forthcoming in the
course. Of TT this month. Its whole funded
seven per cent bonds, of which the State
has bought 100000 and citizens of Norfolk
$ll4000. There $4,000 in the hands of others,
and sl66 900 unsold. The rail along the line is the
heaviest in the State--siXty-two pounds to the
yard-and the bridges are the most substantial
in America, being altogether Of iron and stone, and
so constructed as to avoid the evils of expansion
and contraction. One bridge is ego feet long, in
three spans of 200 feet, and draw of fortyve feet
in the clear. Another is 465 fetal constructed
on the Fink's patent principle. There are others
of smaller dimensions but constructed on the same
substantial principle: 1t is in fact, the model rail
road of the State As test of the stability of the
work upon one of the main bridges, which spans
the southern branch Of the Elizabeth river, loco.
motive weighing twentyfour tons was driven over
it at speed of forty miles an hour, without pro-
ducing any perceptible shake or jar. Such is the
character Of the last link in this great channel of
trade between Norfolk and Memphis. / refer to it
thus infinitely from its relations to the trade OF
New York, for over it will pass an amount Of trade
and travel in the future which will constitute it one
of the most important of the many tributaries which
now pour in their supplies to your great CONNER
cial metropolis. The success of this enterprise is
Hon Francis Mallory, Of Norfolk, who has acted as
President ofthe line since its origin He went into the
Legislature as delegate from Norfolk, with view
to raise the means necessary for It's complexion
and having done So he purposes now to resign,
leaving this last link in Virgna's greatest enter
prise a monument to his dsinterested zeal and
energy. This is the Mr.. Mallory who, you may re-
member, represented the Norfolk district in Con-
gress from 1887 to lS43, taking an active part in
the important measures which discussed during
that interval. Considering all the disadvantages
against which he had to contend, this work may be
regarded as no common triumph
The Central National Club, to present John
Minor Bolts as the opposition candidate for the
Presidency" of the organization of which at Wash
ington you were recently apprised by the reporter
of the Associated Press, was gotten up here, frame
work. shingles and all, and transferred with its few
inmates to the capital. expect, after while, to
be able to give you full details about the construc-
ton of this little ark with the name of the Noah,
and list of its other homogeneous inmates They
have set out with bright hopes, but the general
opinion here is that they will strike on some point
other than the White House. They would doubt
less be satisfied to land anywhere in the ncighbor
hood of the treasury, empty as it is said to be.
am informed that Letcher will be vigorously
pursued when he enters upon his canvassing tour
The wings think their best chance is to meet him
before the people, and expose his weak points
They aver that his continuance in Congress is a
mere subterfuge to avoid public discussion, and xii
off time which should be employed in pursuing the
campaign. II is certain that he will have the ablest
rival to contend against that the ranks OF the wings
can afford.
Among the most notable incidents in connection
with President making is the intense passion for
parade and speech making which has recently
seized the leading aspirants for the Presidency
Douglas, Crittendcn, Hammond and Davis have
each in turn paid their respects to the sovereigns
WISE TO his credit il may be said has modesily ab.
to the business of his Office and leave to the people
to appreciate as they may his claims to preference
He was not, however, as am fully informed, with
out strong inducements to enter the popular arena
v;ald IN ovationa in honor of him. but he