The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-04-06

There is lying on our table memorial from P.
G. VAN W1NKLE, President of the Northwestern
Virginia Railroad Company, to the City Council
of Baltimore. This is one of those prayers to
HERCULES, which our railroad experience leads US
to expect, and pretty generally compels us to
grant The Northwestern Railroad has not been
constructed without tunnels, nor have these tun-
nels been constructed without props. But these
props are of timber sustaining whole mountains
which are represented to be threatening-in conse-
quence of the natural decay of these temporary,
if not otherwise frail supports-to stop the
right Of way, through their bowels AS an
accident of this sort would necessarily put an end
to the use of the road, and to all revenue to be
hoped therefrom Mr.. VAN WNKLE very wisely
suggests that the peril indicated, is a matter in
which Baltimore, not only in her capacity of Com
mercial Emporium, deriving benefits from its trade
but also as being in her corporate essence, guar
rantor of certain Bonds to the said railway, has a
deep interest which should be looked after, before
it is too late He thinks that the arching of those
tunnels should be timely begun, and prosecuted
with such vigor, as may be requisite to avoid the
necessity of replacing wooden props in lieu of
those unfit for further service, which would in
volve great additional expense and inconvenience
in the long run. A comparatively moderate ex-
pendture annually applied the interest on which
may easily be met by the earnings of the road, is
supposed to be the most judcious policy. So far
this is question of engineering, Mr.. VAN WIN
KLE is doubtless right, and no other resource be-
ing apparent, he makes his application to City
Council and it is for our City Council to say
what shall be done for Mr.. V. w. and his road.
We do not propose to enter into the financial
question. Upon this point, especially, in connec-
ton with railroads, our municipal government
has shown degree of prudence and skill, which
would render any suggestion of ours something
like impertinence. We take it for granted, that,
some how the track will be kept open. We do
not suppose-however the advantages of the
Parkersburg connection, which cost so much to
effect may seem for time to be lost sight Of
that there is the least idea in this community of
foregoing them altogether. Just at this juncture,
when all negotiations with rival routes have
failed-wh hen conventions, deliberately concluded,
have been speedily violated, and the most solemn
pledge of faith has been but the prelude to vio-
lation Of all confdence-every communication
which shortens by one mile even, the way to the
centres of Western commerce, should be held with
grasp of iron Greater distance, in railroad
communication, is like carrying weight in race.
1t is sure to tell in the end. With our short route
to Parkersburg, our river communications, there
and thence, and the rail connections, which only
need slight encouragement to bind it almost by an
airline to Cincinnati-and with the cheap fuel
which distinguishes Ours from every other road,
no matter what its gradients or curves may be
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad would require
the most skilful management to prevent it from
setting all competition at defiance.
We regret the failure of the compromise among
the lines. AS a temporary measure-it never could
be hoped to be other-it was probably doing for
Baltimore, by consent, in some degree, what she
will be enabled to exact as a right, whenever she
shall have effected her necessary connections. We
infer the more readily that Baltimore has been
reaping this advantage, because the breach of the
engagement comes from that rival, which has the
longest route and the fact that an advantage of sew
eral dollars ton is made in our favor by the sche
dule is alleged as excuse for bad faith. But the
day for compromise and compact is manifestly at an
end. 1t is in vain to expect renewal of this
league, which was indeed mere rope of sand,
while it lasted. An open contest coming on
after every expedient to effect a compromise has
been exhausted, must be war to the knife, and
it behooves US to look well to our arms In this
struggle should seek such allies as nature herself
points out for support. Desirable as the trade
of Cincinnati may be to Baltimore, short and
cheap route from Cincinnati to the sea is point of
equal Importance to that city. Baltimore stands
nearest and therefore should be dearest in this re-
lation 1t is matter of interest with the West and
the Queen City of the West, to open and maintain
communication with Baltimore which it would be
fatal for them to overlook. The West has been in
the habit not only of having railroads built into
its very midst, by the contending cities of the
seaboard, but is accustomed then to be solicited for
the favor of her freighs. Yet, it must be manifest
that the short line is the cheap line in the end,
and if the transportation of the produce of the
West is to be done by Eastern cities without re-
gard to cost, as seems to be now threatened,
there is no way to keep contending rivals to
minimum rates so sure, as to establish line on
which the lowest schedule can be maintained with
out bankruptcy. This will prove, if need be, a
regulator for all competing lines-and, in the ma
ture OF things, is the only permanent guaranty of
low freights We say, therefore, that in this con-
test, although Cincinnati may toy with our rivals,
every consideration of sound policy points her to
firm alliance with Baltimore