Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-06-15
For the Vindacato..
A Statement of Facts Relating to
the Detention of Passengers at
GOrdOnSVile.


A Statement of Facts Relating to
the Detention of Passengers at
GOrdOnsville.
All persons travelling on the Central road,
both east and west, have for several years
been subject to disagreeable detention at
Gordonsville, waiting for the Alexandria
train All complained of it as grievance
which they bore with but little patience. =
The officers of the Central Company have
tried to remedy it by urging the Alexan-
dria company to arrive earlier. But the
history Of the connection shows that they
made it later aud later every year, until re-
Gently the prolonged detention not only ad-
ded greatly to the discomfort of the regular
travel between the east and west, but was
likely to divide the Springs travel to other
lines.
The efforts of this company to palEate
the irksome detention at Gordonsville in
the hot sun of the summer, has been resis-
ted by the other company, and has caused
some persons returning to Stanton to be
left.
To be left midway on your journey home
wards is very well calculated TO exasperate
any one; but the question is, on whom
should the blame rest3 1t is true that it is
in the power Of either party to prevent it,
but that one should be censured who has
failed to do what might reasonably be ex-
expected, and which they have agreed to
do. It should not be expected that one
party should make all the concessions and
all the sacrifices; and the public ought to
be willing to submit to some temporary
Inconvenience rather than ccuntenance
course fagrautly improper.
What are the facts ?
When the Alexandria Road was first con-
structed to Gor3onsville to connect with
the Central Road which had been in opera
ton west of the Blue Ridge fer several
years, feeling that it was their duty to cor
form to state of things in existence before
their road was projected, their trains arr
rived at Gordonsviile at the same time with
that of the Central, viz: at 1915 A. NJ !,
and there was no detention to passengers
going either way
After some time they asked for an ex-
tension Of the hour Of arrival; in spirit Of
concession, it was made 1880, and this
continued to satisfy them FOR year. The
result Of this was, that all passengers were
kept waiting for their arrival. and those des-
tined to the Springs had to travel in stages
at night much later in consequence.
Again, in the Spring Of 1859 they de-
manded another extension Of time. The
subject was maturey discussed and exam
ined, and what was supposed to be fua
oompromise was agreed on, that they should
arrive punctually at 1915, this being an
other addition Of fifteen minutes Last
year they did. run by that schedule, and
frequently arrived as early as 1910, as the
record shows. The Baltimore train arrives
in Washington not later, perhaps Eve mi
nutes sooner, than formerly. Why can
they not reach Gordonsville this year at
1915, as they agreed to do last year, and
was done? 10-45 is all now required of
them, and required because it was solemnly
agreed to last year, and was supposed to be
final settlement Of the difficulty.
During the last winter, when their road
like all others. became rough, and when
the ice in the Potomac drove them to the
use Of the short railroad between Alexan-
dria and Washington, requiring several
transfers Of baggage, temporary farther
extension Of time was granted by the Su-
perintendent, without consulting the Board
After the reasons for this temporary ex-
tension ceased to exist. Che Board gave
them full notice that after the first OF une
they would be expected to resume the COM
promise schedule of last year.
If they refuse to resume that schedule, de-
liberately agreed to and acted on, and pas
sengers are left, who is to blame? They
cannot plead the heavy travel and their 5a e :
gage. The Sonth western, as well as the
Springs travel was then carried, and If re-
port is true, they are carrying less South
western travel now than when it passed by
Richmond Ifthey have embarrassed them
selves with carrying freight-~as they call
it, express matter-that should be no rea-
son for delaying mail and passengers.
As farther proof that it is not unrea-
sonable to ask them to arrive at Gordons-
vile at 10 IS, an examination Of the Post
master Generals schedule at Gordonsvile
shows that such is precisely the hour fixed
by him several months since for arriy;ng
there, viz: 1O-45, A. NJ, and but for the
forbearance and hberality Of the Central
Company, they would long since have in
CURED the complaints, if not the penalties
Of failing to make required mail connec.
tons.
Surely, no considerate friend Of the Cen
trail road, or any disinterested person, ought
to ask greater sacrifices than have been
made, yea, and are being made. They now
lose one hour in starting from Richmond
and hearty an hour at Gordonsville. all 70,
the sake Of harmony, but in vain. If these
two hours were applied to running on their
road, their passengers would be saved from
light travel, and their business would be
increased thereby
But the great necessity for returning tt
last Summers schedule existed in the fact
that without a change our Southern Spring
travel would have been driven on the Soutf
side in returning home, unless we coult
have gotten rid of days detention in Rich
mond. Prior to the 1st of June, only Il
minutes were allowed to transfer passenger
and baggage from the Central to the Pc
tersburg road. No one supposes that pas
sengers going South of Petersburg, or t(
Petersburg, would have come this way un
der those circumstances The arrival of til,
Central train in Richmond (and that at higl
lspeed) was 2-3S, too late for the transac