Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-05-01
RICHMOND AND LYNCHBURG RAILROAD.

TX lLHMONU AMI LlNLhbl hu hAALIOABs
To the Editor Of The Wing:
was pleased in taking up the Wing this morning, Mr.
Editor 70 find that YOU alive to the Importance
Of the Richmond and Lynchburg Railroad and hope that
YOU NAV continue TO call the attention. through the COL
umus of your valuable paper Of the capitalists of Rich
mond 10 the deep interest which they have in this
stright shoot which alone prevent that vast tray
ell and larger portion of the lighter ireghts, from the
southwest from being diverted, az Lyuchburg to Alex
audra and Baltimore the North, and Petersburg and
Norfolk on the South
And not only is it OF vital Importance to Richmond but
20 the planters Of POwhatan, Cumberland and Buckng-
ham to whose section forming Of the finest planting
and farming regions it would furnish facilities which
would enable them TO grow Of their great staple
tobacco than any other equal area in the State.
have lately returned from the Circuit Court Of Pow
hstan where was happy find that the people there
were taking the iyelJst interest In scheme which will
contribute 30 much the development Of that fine coun-
IN aud they propose taking the initiative In this work by
holding public meeting the first Monday in May for
the purpose Of taking steps for organizing company
der the charter recently granted by the Legislature
was also happy TO learn from a Cumberland gentle
man chat this improvement was arousing no ordinary
interest among the planters Of that wealthy county and
that they proposed having meeting at their last coun
rs court but some OF the friends Of the road thought it
better 10 defer action then in order that they might
move iu concert with this city and other counties
There are some who say, Mr.. Editor that the straight
shoe. cannot be built because the charter does not fur
uisl State subscription II the capitalists OF Richmond
and the planters OF the above mentioned counties can
ONLY realize the deep stake which they have in this road
t will rot be long before they demonstrate TO that class
that private enterprise and capital quite equal to the
task.
some Of its opponents may ask why build this road
when We have already q connection with Lyuchburg -
TIE answer Is very easv that the stake which Richmond
has u that great line Of railroad reaching from the banks
of the Mississippi distance OF more than six hundred
miles 70 Lyuch5urg, is too great 10 be dependent upon
section o.a road whose every interest is identified with
"a rival city.
In point of distance the straight, shoot" has great ad-
vautaze- over any connection with Lyncbburg for
If Straight line De drawn from Lynchburg to Richmond
&. vii pass through small portion Of Amherst re-cross-
a the river some miles below Lyucbburg then through
ADpJms,tox, Buckingham, Cumberland Powhat1u and
Cats..lf thinking distance Of IS miles. II the de-
1It-ure from this line Will make distance Of miles
more, the practical line would then be 81 miles. Now,
compare this with the present connection of ~ miles
ana would have saving OF 2I+ miles in distance, an
advantage alone sufficient to justify It's construction.
T. 0m the knowledge OF the country through which il
would pass have doubt but that grade nigh; be
obtained superior 20 ElOse on the Richmond and Dauyie
and Central roads
The charter gives the Company the right to start this
road a, some convenient point on the Richmond and
Diuylie Railroad, and / doubt not that good policy
would dictate that this provision should be accepted and
tle road should comm no some point IN the county
OF P0vhatau, rather than commence 40 Richmond An
expenditure OF six seven hundred thousand dollars
might thus be slyei by getting rid Of the expense of
Deyo, at Richmond the bridging OF James River, and
I5 or u miles OF costly road.
have now, Mr.. Editor thrown out these suggestions
as 90 some Few OF the advantages which the straight shoot
possesses but my chief o. ect request YOU to
publish the enclosed copy OF the Charter that the
friends Of tie straight shoot In thee ouUtry and city,
might see s provisions aud that the gentlemen therein
named may Immediately open the books in this city and
the respective countless obtain subscriptions aud or
gauize company for the construction Of this important
Improvement Az ORIGINAL FRIEND OF THE
STRAIGHT SHOOTn