Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-06-30
The Western Maryland Rail-
road.

We learn that Mayor Chapman, Of
Baltimore, starts out this week, attended
by competent railroad engineers, for the
purpose of making reconnaissance Of
the line Of the proposed Western Mary
| land Railroad from Hagerstown to Cum
berland. It will be remembered that the
Legislature last winter granted permits
sion TO this company TO extend its road
to the Pennsylvania line in Washington
or Allcgany counties, and to connect with
any railroad which has been or may be
chartered by that State, having particular
reference, we suppose, to the Pittsburg
and Connellsville railroad, corporation
which, having fallen into the power OF
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, has
been suffered for several years to remain
unfinished. Our citizens need no re-
minder of the vast benefits which this
community confidently expected to re-
suit to us from the completion Of this
road from Pittsburg to Cumberland; but
many of them may be unaware that May
or Chapman's plan, upon the prosecution
of which he has now entered with char
acteristic perseverance and industry, con-
templates nothing less than the establish
ment of an entirely new railroad route
to Baltimore via Hagerstown, to be COM
menced and pushed forward to compile
ton at very early day. This route is
said to possess advantages over the Bal
timore and Ohio Road in distance, curra-
ture, and gradients; and it Will also fur
nish communication with Philadelphia
and New York via Chambersbhrg AID
Harrisburg both cheaper and nearer than
any of those we now possess. Without
endorsing the charges of grinding OPP
preston so freely brought against the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad by so many
in all classes of business among us, we
may say that there can nothing but good
to Cumberland and hllegany county grow
out of the proposed road. If it be true,
as stated to US, and as We fully believe,
that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company is not now, and never has been,
prepared to meet anything like the full
demand made upon it for the transporta-
ton of coal, there can be no reason why
the people of this county should not look
with favor upon any measure which prom
ises fuller and more favorable develop
ment of our matchless mineral resources
Such measure we believe will be found
in the Western Maryland Railroad; and
we sincerely hope and trust that the pres
ent reconnaissance, and the instrumental
surveys, which we understand are imme-
diately tc follow, will justify the high ex.
pectations of favorable line so conf
IDENTIFY entertained by Mayor Chapman
and many others interested. Within the
past few months great changes have
taken place in the ownership of the Ale
gany coal field. nearly all of which have
been in the direction of concentration
and consolidation. A vast amount of
capital has been invested already to Sc.
cure more perfect development of the
trade, and we do not doubt that any fur
Their amount can be obtained to provide
additional outlets for our coal, since those
we have are shown to be inadequate.
We understand that Mr., Chapman may
be expected here about this time, and we
commend him and his plans for the West
crn Maryland Railroad to the thoughtful
consideration of our citizens.