Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-09-25
COMMUNICATED.

f@ COMMUNICATED.
THE MANASSAS GAP RAmRoAD.-The
nrssent condition of business in the South
ern States of this Union is an anomaly
Of its exact prototype no historical mention
IS made From the general wreck of fortunes
that has occurred throughout the entire South,
the active and intelligent are securing trag--
ments upon which to build vessels that shall
safely land them in the port OF wealth and
nrosperitv. and they will succeed, provided
thew act wisely, with decision and energy. At
this time, especially, does it .behove every one
to be continually on the alert, and untlrlng IN
his efforts to court Dame Fortunes golden
smile.' lest his neighbor, by greater exertlon,
should succeed In culling from the short crops
Of treasure bearing shrubs, the choicest How
ers AS with individuals, q ,fortao17, so with
CORPORATIONS. Why then is the Manassas
Gap Railroad ip it's present condition? Why
do it's officers itsstockhoders its bondholders,
why does Alexandria, allow it to remain as 1t
is?
That a majority of it's stockholders, from
comparative af1uence, have suddenly been re-
duced to approximate poverty; that the
country through which 1t passes has been raw
aged by the ruthless hand of war; that the
fostering hand of the Virginia treasury, which
helped to support it, has been palsled; are not
sufficient reasons for It's utter abandonment.
It's individual stockholders are for the most
part Virginians, whose peeunlary condition
will be RAPIDLY improved by their industry and
thrift The Valley of Virginia, whose pro-
dnce and trade it did and will bring to our
city. is the most productive country 10 the
South, and will speedily regain it's former
wealth. And the State, by liberal and lenlent
legislation, may yet be enabled to render it
efficient service The Baltimore & Ohio Rail
road-always awake to the interests OF its
seaboard terminus, and ever seeking to extend
its trade-has pushed the Northwestern Rail
road to within few miles of Winchester
the northern end of the Valley, has commenced,
snd will soon have finished, the Metropolitan
R. R., which is intended to receive the produce
Of Loudoun and the adjacent counties; and con.
templates making the Strasburg connection,
which will secure the trace of the entire Pied
mont section of the State. With the designs
Of Baltimore upon the business and trade that
legiimatey belong to Alexandria thus made
patent, we again ask, why is not some effort
made to repair the Manassas Gap Road ?
Let meeting of the Stockholders be convened
IN this city during the coming month, to de
wise some plan for the repair OF this vitality
1upUltduG artery Va OuI COm iAAS'
1t said the President of the road two or three
months ago recovered possession OF one nun
dred and eighty tons of railroad iron. Eight
hundred tons more are at Fortress Monroe
and large amount is at Harper's Ferry, which
the Government will turn over to the officers
OF the road upon proper representations
Three hundred thousand dollars will put the
road in good condition. Let the money be
raised by new issue Of bonds, or by further
mortgages on the road Let the company re-
sort to any means by which the road can be
put in running order to Harrisonburg, or,
failing In every measure, let them rellnqulsh
ITO he bondholders, who, We are informed,
Tlll immediately commence operations, ana
nave it completed as rapidly as human hands
can accomplish work. The major portion OF
tne bonds of the company are held by Alex
andrlans-large property holders IN this city
ana s!1o adjoining country-and consequently hear
a5y interested in the city welfare. They 90
40 not wish to come in conflict with the Com
pIaay; they do not want to render their action
cle subject of harsh remarks they want the
company ~ to retain the road, and will furnish
al! al the aid in their power to aid them IN re-
pailrlng 1t; they do not want to foreclose and
.s AXE possession of the road, but, finding that
sae Company apparently will do nothing. to-,
nsa, "slos commencing the work of reparatlon, q,
s.la st that the Baltimore and Ohio road is
tSl.eauly approaching the spring from which
~ ie Manassas Gap Road receives its sustenance,
aa sasey are seriously contemplating the policy OF
aOlng SO. They will obtain the road at a low
92Ilce:: but will it be their fault? They say we
~ ~ not want it at all, we decidedly prefer that