The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-10-17
81 Reported from the Baltimore SUM-
Important Meeting Of the Bal
tfmOre and Ohio Railroad
Direction.

tfmOre and Ohio Railroad
Direction.
Contract for q Through Line 70 Chicass
| lThe Ohio River TO be Bridgsd-Decia
ration Of q Dividend Of Six Fer Cent. on
the Capital Stock.
A regular monthly meeting of the Boarc
of Directors of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company was held at the office, a
Camden station yesterday, j. w. Garrett
ESQ.,. president, in the chair. The atten'
dance was unusually full, nearly all the
members on the part of the State and the
private stockholders having been present
No quorum having met for the three prece-
ding months, large amount OF business
had accumulated, which, during session
of three hours. was transacted with great
unanimity.
The reports from the different depart
ments exhibited full maintenance OF the
condition of the road, machinery and or
ganizatlon of the company for continued
large business
An important contract was submlttedo oy
the committee on transportation, between
the companies forming the route from Chi
cago to Bellaire, via Monroeville and New
ark, by which the Newark, Sankusky and
Mansfield railroad agrees to alter its gauge
between Newark "a point on the line OF the
Central Ohio road and Sandusky, from the
present width of feet inches to 4 feet
"a inches, so that ears can be loaded IN
Chicago and run through without change
to Belaire, opposite the terminus OF the
Baltimore and Ohio road on the Ohio river.
This route will be sixty-six miles less in
distance than the line used at present via
Toledo, and will present to the commercial
interests of Baltimore direct connection
with Sandusky, which possesses one of the
finest harbors upon Lake Erie, and will
furnish to the Baltimore and Ohio line a
most desirable and vastly improved com
munication with Chicago and the North
west.
The agreement met with the decided ap-
proval of the Board, and in this connection
it was stated that the guage is now being
changed, and it is expected that this valua-
bic avenue will be opened for the commerce
of Baltimore and Washington, and the busl-
ness of the government, during the present
winter.
The nomination of James l.. Randolp lph,
Esq, formerly All esteemed officer in the
service of the company, was unanimously
confirmed as engineer, to take charge OF the
of the bridges over the Ohio
river. between the Main Stem of the road
At Ben wood and the terminus of the Cen
raj Ohio at Bellaire, and bridge to con-
Nortbwaofarp Uirnipia and Mari
,tta and Cincinnati Railroads, as soon as
can be effected for the imam
,ial reorganization Of the former company
The nomination by the President OF Mr..
J. j. G. Riley as Superintendent of the
tele graph lines Of the company was also
confirmed. Mr.. C.. Westbrook,
heretofore in charge of these lines, will act
hereafter as an officer Of the American Tele-
graph Company.
The committe of finance submitted to
he following resolutions, accompanied by
statements regarding the earninings and
expenses of the Company for the semi -annu-
II periods terminating March 5lst ana oo'f
ultimo:
Resolcsd, That a dividend of six per
,ent. be declared on the stock Of the main
stem of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
1ayable on the 26th OF October instant, at
the Merchants bank Of Baltimore, and that
he transfer books be closed out the 10Th
Instant, and remain closed until the l7th OF
November proximo, the day after the annu-
II meeting.
Resolred, That the United States tax be
paid by the company.
Resolred, That dividend oftive per cent.
be declared on the stock of the Washing
ton Branch Railroad fer the half year end
ing Both September ultimo, payable on and
after the 10th October, at the Merchants
Bank of Baltimore.
Resolred, Tkat the United States tax be
paid by the company.
After remarks by members OF the FL
nance Committee and others, the President
made the following general statement oil
the policy and condition of the Company:
in connection with this subject:
He stated that the Board would recol-
Eect that during the present administration
Of the road, (Which had commenced IN
I 958.) regular semi-annual dividends OF )
ner cent. upon the main stem had been
paid. except in the fall of 1861. Although
Of the commencement Of the war the Com.
pauy was in most prosperous condition
the surplus cash assets amounting to S934,
l54-yet it was deemed prudent and judi
cious to retain its means in view OF the
threatened dangers to its line, 80 that it
might meet the various difficulties which 1t
miSbt be expected to encounter in the pro-
cress Of events. The wisdom Of this course
was proved in the ability of the Company
during a period when the depression Of
business was so great that mechanics and
laborers generally could not obtain employ
ment. to retain all its employees, and tc
continue vigorously the construction o
machinery, SO as to maintain its capacity to
meet the large subsequent requirements o
the transportation which pressed upon il
in the service Of the government, aud to-
commercial purposes. 1t thus prote cte'
its large force of employees during pro
t1acted period of difficulty to mechanic
and laborers generally, and anticipated tn