The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-17

With the fresh start that has been lately given
to the trade of Baltimore, by the prospect of a
speedy restoration of peace and order in a commu-
nifty, which has for four years been a stranger to
both, and by the renewed sense of personal secu-
rlty, which men already feel in anticipation of
the fact, additional interest is beginning to be felt
in the condition of the various lines of internal
improvement-the great avenues of trade and
travel-which lead into the city Among these the
BALTIMORE and ONO Railroad has naturally re-
celved the larger share of attention. and the ques-
ton as to how that work may be best managed is
now as it has been at all times a subject of
controversy. The different interests which
particular individuals have in the stock of the
Company and which particular branches of trade
have in its tariff of freights, or as it is customary
to term it, the policy of the road, have interfered
greatly with anything like fair discussion, or a
satisfactory solution of this question. At the same
time, it is easy to perceive that the general sen-
ment Of the mercantile community is in opposition
to the views Of the present administration of the
road. Nor is that opposition silent or passive
one. AT the late session of the Legislature it was
powerful enough to secure the defeat of the Bill
stock holder representation in the Board of Direc-
tors OF the Company. The reasons which arrayed
nearly the whole body of merchants and business
men IN this city in opposition to that measure, are
destined, in the future to re ceive vet further elu-
cidation and find even more vigorous expression
1t is but fair to the present Directors of the road
10 add that those reasons apply rather TO the pol
ICY of the Company, than TO the manner in which
the road itself is worked and kept up. In this re-
spect, believe no fault is found with its present
administration. It's finances are prudently and
economically managed-and the road is in excel
lent travelling order-none better. The trains
run with even regularity-and when the euor-
nous amount of business and travel which daily
passes over it is taken into view it must be con-
ceded that the number of accidents happening
upon the line, though greater, perhaps, than the
general public is aware of, is even less than the
usual proportion upon roads of smaller extent
We wish that as much could be said with refer
ence to the other great line of railroad communi-
cation leading to the city. As we have manifest
ed no hostility to the BALTIMORE and Ono Rail-
road-it would be strange, indeed, if we felt anv
but simply to the policy which would divert it
from the purposes of its construction, and from
the interests it was intended to foster and promote.
so we have no unfriendly feeling towards the
NORTHERN CENTRAL Company or the gentlemen
who have the present management of its affairs.
We consider that road to be one of great impor-
lance to the interests of Baltimore. 1t constitutes.
with its connections, direct line to the Lakes-a
convenient highway over which a large portion
of the trade of the Canadas and the North-We
might and ought to be brought to this city. By
it, Baltimore is nearer, at this day to Chicago and
the Northwest, by more than one hundred miles.
than is the city of New York. by the nearest avail
ableroute. When the extent and character of conn
try to which it opens an avenue of commupica-
ton are considered, the importance of the North
ERN CENTRAL Railway to the trade and interests OF
Baltimore seems scarcely inferior to that of the
BALTIMORE and OHIO road. When the disparity
in the cost of the two works is brought into COM
putation, the difference in their relative vaIue
seems TO be even less. That the condition of
the road should be such, therefore, as to REQUIRE
exposure and condemnation, is a matter of
sincere regret. Yet such is Enthusiastically and
undeniably the fact. The lower portion
of the road is wretchedly out of repair
It's, in fact, completely worn out and gone to
pieces, and needs TO be rebuilt. Until that is
done the road is not safe and is indctable bv the
Grand Jury. Accidents causing the detention of
trains, and involving injury to the pronerv of tbo
Company, and to the persons of its servants and
passengers travelling in its cars are of Constant
occurrence,-more frequent perhaps, than upon
any other road in the country. The cause is
almost invariably, the defective condition of the
bed of the road. That these accidents have
not resulted in greater loss of life is won-
derful. 1t was not unnatural, therefore. that
when the news reached the city, two DAYS ago
that passenger train had been thrown off the
track, few miles from town, and that cavera1
persons were hurt-rumor should have macn;6ad
the number of the injured, until it became eysooe.
rated into frghtful catastrophe. Had fftv nor
sons been killed, as was at first reported the onIv
surprise occasioned would have been bv the fac,
that fifty persons should be found trusting their
necks on the road at one and the same time.
We do not propose to discuss the oues-
ton as to whose fault it is that the road
has gone thus utterly to wreck. Such a cond-
ton of dilapidation could not have been reach
ed in a da or in year. 1t would not be fair,
therefore, to hold the-pre.ent President and Di-
rectors exclusively responsible for it They
found the road in its actual condition wLen
they took charge of it one year ago, and that
it has not improved more RAPIDLY un-
der their management may be the result of crcum.