The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-18


The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad NAV be claimed ne HE
mot advantageous aecting link Jettceen the ngr0ae
1caterS Gf the East and UeS In ESTIMATING ito nI,;1,at
power ana destiny however we must look beyond its
terminus in our city, and estimate the adyantagas
which are likely result through the ag ency Of its more
distant allies With Parkersbmg its Western terminus
TINS road oilers to Boston and New York the cheapest line
West in its combination with & ncsaei N centre of the
and the Ohio river the other But in her connections
by rail- Baltimore must show also notwithstanding the
derenee IN favor of our own market, that the distance
and Ohio Railroad and its extensions is Substantially no
greater than that of the Pennsylvania route through
Pttsburg or not so much greater the
superiority OF her own great line. How this be ac
complished?
Cincinnati to Phila via RenwOod and Bait 7$4
40. 10 Parkersburg do. .... .6>5
do. do. Pttsburg do ..:.6 500
The route from Cincinnati to PHILADELPHIA is via Co
lumbus, and to Pittsburg is by Columbus to Newark
thence to Steubenvile by the Steubenve and Indiana
Railroad thence Pttsburg by the road alon ba Obi
river, and thence to Philadelphia by the Pennsvlyana
Railroad 1t will be seen that the Parkersburg
not only forty nine miles shorter than Benwood route
(via Baltimore but is five miles shorter than Ptsburo
route while the Benwood and Baltimore route is forty
four miles longer than the last
The route to Philadelphia therefore via Benwood and
Baltimore could not compete with the route to phadel
phia via Pittsburg for the Philadelphia trade
But the route via Parkersburg may compete with the
route via Pittsburg certainly if the short road of nine
miles now contemplated from Scott's landing to opposite
farkersDurg were completed and the through arrange
ments between the Northwestern Virginia and Marietta
roads placed upon satisfactory footing
What mas Deen the result of our effort to meet this
petition?
The difference of time between Philadelphia and Cincin
natl 'oeoad under the late arrangement with the Nor
thern companies is hours, and eastward 5H to hours
against the Baltimore and Benwood Between New
York and Cincinnati the time lost the Baltimore route
is nearly 6hours compared with the Psburg route going
eastward, and hours westward
Ihe elect upon the through travel has been
The Pennsylvania Railroad carried during the year
ending December 81 1857 passengers through 9s 6l6
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, September 80 1857. 3s 236
Difference in favor oft the fornar ,,o
Those who have taken the pains examine into the
past operations of these roads will at glance how
useless 1t is to attempt to maintain successful compe
Ition WIN our man dependence upon the Northern
1t SEEM by the official reports that there no
increase of revenue the Main Stem of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad since 1854 In 1853 the tonnage ON
Wheeling, Benwood, and Moundsvile was less by nearly
5000 tons than the preceding year, and about much
less than average of the last four years and some 900
tons less than the average of the 1855 and 1856
Those who projected the Northwestern Virginia Rail
road foresaw the developments which have since
place and the importance being prepared them
by timely precaution at any reasonable cost. The ap
preparation of the trade of the Marietta line with its
merous tributaries must at distant day greatly aug
ment the tonnage of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The value of the connection by the proposed short line
from Scots landing to Parkersburg and the establish
ment of permanent system Of through transportation
giving credit for diminished distance between Cncn-
natl and Baltimore it would be difficult estimate in
the midst of rvalries going forward If
tended that in the present unfinished state of the Marietta
road our reliance must rest upon tonnage exclusively
may point to the fact that the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad heretofore derived lis revenue principally
from tonnage, and has depended in the main upon the
river for its supply. Our safety n commercial CITY,
consists in removing far practicable Northern
intuence-to establish combinations upon which can
rely and to intercept, before it becomes permanently
fixed, trade, which, although convenient to Balt
more than other market is fast seeking at
other points in the absence Of facilities to conduct our
own city The outlay required in completing the chasm
Of nine miles from Scotts landing Parkersburg is at
best trifng. Upon whatever interest may fall it is de
stned sooner or later to throw tonnage upon the Bat
more and ONO Railroad, which only be estimated by
glance at the statistics of Southern Ohio the great
So 18th and Southwest beyond it.
The Cincinnati and Marietta road has been since its
opening, struggling under heavy pecuniary embarrass
men but it is believed that decided step in that drec
ton, would induce liberal feeling on the part of the
bond holders connected with it, and tend some action
towards placing it in proper working order.
1t is no part of purpose to disparage the past or f
ture OF the Central Ohio Road-that rendered
valuable service to this city and will continue to do so
within the sphere of its attraction; but deem it duty
to submit for whateverit he worth, deliberate
caution against too much reliance upon the Northern
line and Its tributaries in the protection of the trade of
| our city.
The Pennsy vania Railroad Company will soon com
plete the Seubensvilc and Pittsburg connection This
will have the effect of cutting off 25 miles distance
making aggregate Of 665 miles between Cincinnati and
Philadephia-and GO miles shorter than the Baltimore
| and Benwood route. With these improved facilities
there will be successful competition but through
| Parkersburg.
1t may be satisfactory know, that hereafter should
the success of the roads already built and
ment of the country west of the Ohio river make il de-
sirable the Marietta route may be shortened some ter
miles, by the construction of the Hooking Valley Road
twenty nine miles between Parkersburg and point ST,
miles east OF Athens, at estimated of $500 900
avoiding the high grades and so much Objected
on that route may be also shortened five miles by al
independent line into Cincinnati
The only improvement between Benwond and Cincin
natl would be the Cincinnati Wilmington and Zanesvi
route, through Lancaster instead of the Central Obi
Road, through Columbus, thus saving twelve miles O
distance The Central Ohio and Little Miami would b.