Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-07-07
For the Civilian and Telegraph
The New Railroad Route.


Mr. EpIron In your last issue you
refer to the movement in progress to ex-
tend the Western Maryland Railroad from
Baltimore to Hagcrstown. and perhaps
thence to this point, Cumberland, i. e.,
to our coal region. Please to allow me a
few remarks in this connection.
1t is the way of the world to find fault,
and sometimes we find fault with our best
friends and with things that cannot be
amended. But "a bird in the hand is
worth two in bush,'. and "a living dog is
better than a dead lion On these hints
l speak.
1t is quite possible that new road
hence eastward might advantage individ-
ual interest here, but it is proposed to take
a broader and more comprehensive view
Of the subject. Suppose it to be the de-
termincd fact that New York capitalists
with other aid. resolve to have another
road, would it not be possible for the Bal.
timore and Ohio Railr 'ad Immediately tc
complete double track, and thus accom-
modate all the traffic that the CoDncllsville
road Gf built) and the west, and the coal
region could throw upon it, and at more
reasonable rates than at present? Ant
would not such move on the part Of the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad effectually
check-mate the other? New York City
is the emporium of trade. wealth and
sharpness, and some of her people have
been lattcrly making great ado about
another road between Washington City
and New York; but they have found
themselves foiled in that design, the ex-
listing roads being now engaged in laying
another track. Thus it may result in this
case. Ag1in, while the Cornellsville
road, if completed to this point as feed
er to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
would undoubtedly benefit both our pres
ent road and the city Of Baltimore. it is
not at all so sore, that an Independent
road hence to Haserstown, so as to open
more direct connections with Philadelphia
and New York. would benefit either
Hence the wonder is that Baltimore
should favor such a scheme. A road
from Hagerstown alone to Baltimore,
would advantage that city without inju-
ring the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
but one from Cumberland to lIagerstoun,
either with or without the Connellsville
road, would certainly damage Baltimore.
Philadelphia and New York would be
gamers, not Baltimore. Itappcars there
fore. to be manifest wisdom rather to
"bear the Ills We have than Hy to others. :"
which might more injuriOuIy effect our
State interest, than ever the present So
charged monopoly Of the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad can possibly do. AS cit
liens Of the State we have in some meas
ure all one common interest, and there
fore the right. without presumption. to
urge upon the Baltimore authorities to
look before they leap" Baltimore city
now owns stock in the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad. and if this suggested road is
built, all hope Of gain from that invest
ment mus. vanish and Unreasonable loss
must result from tie diversion Of trade
and tracel; but complete the Connellsvillc
road to Cumberland alone according to
the original intention. and all will be we'll.
Let New York and Philadelphia capital
lists and the interest of the Pennsylvania
roads. which arc. and always have been
hostile to Maryland interests. build an
independent outlet to market if they
choose. 1t may possibly benefit them
and certain individuals here. But it will
certainly not benefit Baltimore or the
State at large. Better aid and encourage
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and 9TH
ers interested to finish tie Connellsviue
road to Cumberland. and then wo will
SEQ double traeR to Baltimore and if
necessary. a branch road from the Point
of Rocks to Washington. thus forming
almost an air line from the capital to Chi
cago and the great Northwest.
To argue tho necessity Of new road
on the ground of the prevailing border
trsnbios. would be to concede the nations
inshiiity to put down tho rebellion. and
.hcr,fure that view Of TIE case Is lto-