Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-03
Dr.. J. ". Wake, Sec'y.
1YoR THE wnIs.l
Az CENTRAL RAILROAD.

The Wing of the DIST contained, in a long commun
cation from the President Of the Central Railroad,
brief answer TO my article over the signature of "a
Farmer
When wrote the articles IN question was llboring
under the deluson that the annual report OF the Pres
dent and Directors OF railroads eg innate subjects
for examination aud comment
wasnotat that time that the railroad literature Of
Virginia had attained noble refined and elevated
character AS TO be held sacred from the prOane touch of
the critics PEN and was in bssfuignOrance that error
when elegantly embalmed in the ant-sepc prose OF rail
road Pres deu be- transmitted 10 poserity IN all
its original freshness unchtl nged and uucorrected
But having nov learned that the report and accom-
p,nyug documents are 10 b. named only TO be pras-
ed | with "batcd breath and whispering humbleness'
express my Ugh appreciation Of the propney OF the
naughty and supcrciOus with which the President
Informs the gentleman OF wealth and leisure residing in
the county OF Augusta that he had only been Showing
his ignorance in his comments upon The annual offer
ing laid before the stockholders of the Central road
Aud am likewise constrained - acknowledge the just
ness rs well the deicacy o! the rebuke administered
10 his presumption in the classical proverbs so apply
spokel o! me Su0r ultra creUidpa, which pro,erD,
when applied 20 thct shec class OF the community, the
farmers NAV be literally rendered thus Stick to your
plough handles We uulettered hnd; you travel far be-
yond your proper sphere when you undertake TO queS-
ton the more than papal inalNbIity OF report ema-
mating from the President and Directors OF railroad,
and comprehend one Of Its statements however plain
I
and darkened understandings
The President Of the Central Railroad to be
incapable OF discriminating between criticism upon the
principles and statements of report and an assault up
on the character OF the officers making it. as he is TO dis
crimnate between the ordinary current expense OF ope-
rating the road aud unusual and extraordinary exlen-
dtures Hence, Gud him, in replying TO my articles,
speaking Of my d" first charge and my second COM
plant" and my " third charge and declaring that
have impugned only the accuracy, but the integ
ry of the treasurer and been utterly regardless OF the
capacity and fidelity of two committees Of he Stock
holders when have neither assailed, nor intended 10
assai the integrity of any person connected with the
Central road in any capacity and for the truth OF this
appeal TO my articles. | have made no all1sion TO
either of those committees and my only reference to the
to quote item or two from his report,
aud that done upon the idea of its absolute correct
ness.
Who remember the large promises made few days
ago b, President TO point out my plumbers aud
consider his small performance In that line were
not the lmable man in the Commonwealth, would
assuredy quote upon him that celebrated proyerb about
the "mountan in labor; but my good nature orbida,
and forbear
have nothing to add to what have already said up
the subject OF the percentage charged by the State
for the use of the Blue Ridge road. remain OF the
opinion that ought be considered part of the ord
nary current expenses.
however hope it will not be deemed impertnent in
IAN outsider TO suggest to the President of the Central
the importance of keeping vgiIant eye upon the D
rectory of the Orange and Alexandra road lest they
should violate fundamental principle OF railroad ac-
counting by the nexcusable bunder Of charging to the
Expense of administration" the they will have 10
paw next year. for using the Central road between Cor
louisville and Charlottesville.
In regard to the second complaint" which betrays
such "a want of capacity for analysing railroad state
ment reply that when found the Board of Directors
undertaking to to the Stockholders the indebted
of every description u took it for granted they were
not only willing to do So but capable of doingit correct
". ANY ''bundern | have committed, therefore, upon
this subject has been in assuming without analysis thai
the President aud Directors had done what they profess
ed 80 do: correctly state the debts of the Company
Hence when found the debts Of every Class summed
up at 81, 644 6l9 80 with an ncaPscty for analysing
railroad statement" that trust may be excused in IA