The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-12-15

>AOAZAAAA1AZ4O AOs AOOOs
INTERVENING TO RICHMOND NER-
CHANTS TO BUILD A RAIL
ROAD THROUGHOUT VIRGINIA.
At the annual meeting Of the stockholders Of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company,
held in Baltimore last Wednesday, the start
ling proposition was made to build a railroad
from Harper's Ferry to connect with the vir-
ginia2 and Tennessee railroad In the Upper
Valley. President Garrett, in his report,
says:
I'm the new era that has opened, another
subject of the greatest importance to the coun-
try, and especially to the people Of Virginia
and Maryland, has been presented. Many
of the most diBtingnishe citizens OF Virginia
have expressed their anxiety for the early
construction of line Of railway leading from
Harper's Ferry, through Winchester and
Strasburg, to connect with the great Virginia
and Tennessee road, in the southwestern part
Of the State, and thus open a direct and effec-
tive line Of communication from Baltimore
to New Orleans, presenting to the States OF
Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana an admirable, econOmi-
cal and direct line to the national capital
and the great seat of commerce at the head of
The Chesapeake. The Valley of Virginia
fertile, rich in mineral resources, with fine
water power, with most beautiful climate
possesses a region of wonderful attractiveness
and characteristics for great populations and
extensive development. The entire region
ting States presents the geatest advantages
for emigration, and these advantages are sure
TO give absolute assurance OF prosperity and
wealth.
"During the existence of slayeryfn Virginia,
a jealousy existed of any line leading to the
free States, by which slave property became
less safe. That obstacle having been removed,
all jealotisies appear also to have ceased, and
how 1oo,, l1ol tx,r <1f met
eminent and sagacious citizens Of that great
State, who urge that the attention of the peo.
pie of Baltimore and the managers of the
baltimore and Ohio road should be directed
to this subject. Their region has been desOla-
ted, their capital has been almost destroyed,
and now they are most anxious that the enter
prise and capital of this community shall be
thrown to theft aid In accomplishing objects
which, whilst vastly ting them, will also
yield rich fruitiOn in increasing fraternity and
commercial prosperity. Such link will ac-
cOmplish much in the restoration Of kindly
feeling, and assure mutual interests and the
best and greatest commercial advantages, and
will aid in binding in iron bands those great
commonwealths to the union of our fathers.
"a natural route, full Of local and general
advantages, is thus presented. 1t is true, that
whilst a portion Of traffic which now comes
up the Ohio river, and is received by Western
railways from the SOuthwest-thus passing
over the whole three hundred and seventy nine
miles Of the Baltimore and Ohio road, would,
through valley line, pass over but eighty
miles Of the main stem yet, in view of the
great objects to be achieved for those interests
and in securing a direct communication to
Washington, and adding vastly to the COM
mercial strength and importance of Baltimore,
l do not hesitate to commend to the most
earnest and favorable consideration OF this
subject
.The Baltimore and Ohio road has built mp
the region Of Virginia through Which 1t passes.
It has aided largely in the construction Of the
D0 knr hu which has than
seven millions OF dollars and whilst it has
enormously increased business and prosperity
upon that line and made milliOnaires of the
owners of oil lands, of coal lands, and largely
advanced the values of all properties in that
region, that read has thus far failed directly
in paying any interest upon the investment;
yet in the future it is believed that remuneIa-
ton can be secured, whilst the general COM
merce of Baltimore has been benefited. and
that region specially improved. Like diff
cnlties may emharrass the enterprise proposed.
but its results i'll the future Will justify every
effort I'm its behalf"
Mr.. Garrett quotes long extract from Co
vernon Peirpoint's message in this connection.
Governor Peirpoint was for a long time the
counsel Of the Company; at Fairmont, and
his aid is no doubt counted upon by the Com
pany. We need not say that a railroad which
thus promises to place the whole Valley of
Virginia land through it the entire SOuthwest
in close and constant communication with Bal
timore and the North, will'receive the support
of the people of the region through which it is
proposed to construct it, nor that it's effect
would be to divert from Richmond much of
the trade and traffic which our people have
for years been led to expect from Southwest
Virginia and the Valley. 1t presents IN in
terestins topic Of consideration to our legisla-
tors. OF the ability of the Company to con-
struct the road, our readers. who, we fear,
have never paid much attention to this nam.
moth corporation, will be able to judge from
the following statistics. President Garrett
says:
1.-THE Baltimore and Ohio Company has in.
creased its equipment to about three hundred
locomotives and four thousand cars. Its capa-
city for business is now far beyond the ability
Of lines working in connection with it to dis
pose of the vast quantities Of freight it brings
to our city. At this time more than seventy
five trains daily of passengers and freight pass
over the main stem Of the Baltimore and Ohio
road upon the Baltimore division. The power
of the Company, by its large additions of dou-
BILE track, and increase of facilities and equip
ment, with its additional branches, will be
constantly enlarged. The direct outlets for
this vast accumulation of ftraffic must follow" J"
Think Of that, reader. Three hundred loco
motives, four thousand cars, seventy.fl
daily trains And all this, besides the busi-
which extends from Washington to Balti-
more.
But the scheme above alluded to is only
one Of many which this Company has on hand
an in contemplation. They are building a
railroad directly from the Point of Rocks to
Washington city, forty-five miles in length
extending their branches everywhere that q
lateral connection promises to prove proflta-
BILE; providing for the transportation o,Ddy
from Baltimore Of the immense quantities OF
freight which they carry to that city, and
adopting any and every measure that they
deem probably conducive to the welfare of the
Company and Of Baltimore.
Mr.. Garrett was reelected President.
Election Of Railroad Officers.
ALBANY, December 13.-At a meeting OF thl
Central Railroad Directors, this afternoon
Dean Richmond was reelected president, ono
H. III. Blatchford vice president.
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