The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-15
BALTIMORE.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY Is, 1859.

ANP~oe~uig PiosCuj w SAPViiCuSC,
that local Railways, when judiciousy and econom-
cally managed, rarely fail to pay good interest
upon the capital invested in their construction.
They not only give animation to the traffic already
existing in the region through which they run,
but they encourage the growth or manufacture of
many other articles of consumption, which can
only be made profitable by the certainty, regu-
larity, and expedition with which they can be
brought to the market where they are in demand.
They constitute, so to speak, the afluents to the
main stream OF travel and traffic that flows to-
wards particular terminus, and as every new
tributary drains different section of country and
tends to develop its latent resources whatever
assistance may be required to perfect its usefulness
should be cordially rendered by those to whom it
will be advantageous either directly or collaterally
To us, here in Baltimore, the completion of the
Western Maryland Railway, from the Relay station,
on the Northern Central Road, to Union Bridge,
Carroll county, is matter of more than ordi-
nary importance. This new Railway-now in
process of construction-not only brings us into
direct communication with one of the most pro.
ductive portions of the State but it opens ready
means of access to the mineral treasures with which
that section also abounds. That part of
the country which is traversed by the Wes-
tern Maryland Railway, is described by DR..
DuoATEL, our first State Geologist, as pre-
senting every evidence of being remarkably
rich in copper ore. Extensive beds of iron ore of
superior quality, have also long been known to exist
in the neghborhood of Westminster, while quarries
of limestone, and of various other kinds of stone
adapted to building purposes, are to be found at
n0ipfq a1onn fha linz of 70
then, we have all the elements that are requisite
to constitute, under proper management, success
full Railway fertile agricultural district, and
wide field of undeveloped mineral wealth. What
is now wanting to secure these material advan-
tages, is the trifling amount of addi-
tional aid which is necessary to secure
the early completion of the work that is
already so well advanced. The grading of the
road, for more than half of its distance, has been
completed. The iron for the entire route has been
bought and paid for; and all the necessary cross
ties are on hand in readiness for use. 1t is
moreover, stated, that the road will be placed in
thorough working order, as far as Resterstown,
by September next, and that the remainder of the
line will be finished and in operation during the
summer of the following year-or earlier, if the
bonds, which are now offered for sale in the mar
ket, are promptly taken. OF the value of those
bonds, it does not fall within our province to ex-
press an opinion; but it certainly appears to
us matter of some Importance, that so promis-
ing enterprise should not be suffered to langush
from want of berality on the part of our citizens
Thus far, nearly all the stock, which has been
taken in the road, has been subscribed by the
farmers of Carroll county-a class of men who
are not less distinguished for the prudence and
caution with which they embark in novel under
takings than for their general habits of thrift and
industry. The School Commissioners, of Carroll
county, have also invested ten thousand dollars of
the school fund, belonging to the county, in the
bonds of the Western Maryland Railway Com
pany, at eighty cents on the dollar We cite
these facts as an evidence of the local estimation
in which both kinds of securities are held and as
affording some data by which an opinion of their
value may be determined by others.
In connection with this bject of local railways,
it is worth noting how effectually the sue
cessful completion of one link of road encourages
the construction of other links either as a pro-
longation of the same line of railway, or as feed
ers to it. The branch road to Hanover was no
sooner completed and in operation, than the peo-
pie of Gettysburg felt the necessity of extending it
to that town. instead of transporting their produce
IN wagons, over fourteen miles of bad road to the
cars at Hanover. At the same time the inhabi-
tants of Little's Town pushed forward a lateral
road, some seven eight miles in length, to con-
meet that village with Hanover, and now, it is in
contemplation to continue the main branch from
Gettysburg to Chambersburg, whereby direct rail
~ .--.ian would be had with this city,
at saving of forty three miles in distance and of
at least twenty-five per cent. the present
charges for transporting freight the circutous
route which is now travelled. The link from
Gettysburg to Chambersburg, if it should ever be
completed, would secure to us the whole of the
trade and produce of the Great Cumberland VAL
ley. 1t is also well understood that the Western
Maryland Railway is not destined to find its in
land terminus at Union Bridge but will, in the
course of few years, be carried to Hagerstown.
But perhaps, the most striking illustration of the
extension of the chain of railway communication,
link by link between remote points, is presented
by the system which now connects us with the
Great Lakes and the States of the Northwest, and
OF which the Northern Central Railway forms the
Atlantic terminus. We have heretofore failed to
appreciate properly, the immense advantage which
the trade and commerce of our city must eventu-
ally derive from all these various tributaries and
have rather been disposed to under-rate their real
value, by reason of the comparatively small cost
to ourselves at which these great results have
been achieved. We shall learn better in time.