Evening star., 1866-06-14
BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD.
Inferexfinc PracerdinEa


loent ana directors of the Baltimore and ONO
IA hA noaa company IN Baltimore yesterday,
me fLesiaent. J. W. Garrett presiding Prom
tbe iuli reports OF the meeting in the Baltimore
papers TINS morning we extract the following:
| The PRESIDENT called the attention Of the
Board 10 tne frequent attacks that had recent
ly been made by certain newspapers in WASH
| ington city and other parties. who were appa :
rently in the interest OF the so-styled air lines
and other projects, which Were claiming the
legislation of Con gress and its authoritv for
building railroads through the territory Of the
State of Maryland. The allegation had been
| repeatedly made by these parties that the
| Baltimore and Ohio Company did not de-
sign to act in good faith IN the construction of
| the railroad from the Point OF Rocks TO Wash
| ington. The President desired TO review the
/ action Of the Board. and TO develop IN the most
| authoritative form the present Determination
| Of the company upon this SUBJECT During the
war especially, much anxiety had been eH-
pressed by leading members of Congress aud
many OF our most distinguished military off,
GERS, for direct interior line 20 the West-a
line which. IN the case of foreign war, would
be removed from the dangers OF attacks from
the coast, and which world econonize the cost
and time Tor transportation, both for freight
and passengers, from large portion OF the
West and Northwest. The company was ad-
ylsed by many eminent and patriotic members
OF the Government and Of Congress, that NJ n
woul, obtain legislation from the State of
Ma yland to build direct line from The Point
of hooks TO the city of Washington, all the
reasonable requirements of all parts of the
country would be gTatitied, and there would
be no danger Of any attacks upon the policy
and interests Of the state OF MARYLAND in con-
nection with her system OF internal improve
ments
With great unanimity the Legislature OF
Maryland granted a charter for the Metropoli-
tan Branch, free from capitation or other tax
and the company proceeded at once to survey
and locate the line. The distance from Point
OF Rocks by the Relay House to Washington IS
ninety lone miles. The line selected by the
engineers for the Metropolitan Branch is but
forty-two miles, showing a saving of distance
A. r. val and k.UngF
West 10 Washington OF fOrJy-nInp miles
The company has already effected contracts
amounting 10 SJ6,O60. upon which the work is
rapidly progressing upCn the heaviest portion
or tie line, at PARIS Ridge, and as the PTesi-
dent understands the determination of the
company, its design is fixed 10 progress rapidly
with the work upon the route as soon as tha
requisite Legislation is obtained from Congress
for :he portion of the line in the District OF
Columbia and when il is ascertainad that the
reasons upon which the action Of the coupany
Is based are correct, viz: that no unnecessary
ana competing lines viii be authCr rized by
Congress, which would serve tc damage
largely or destroy the investment which would
be thus made.
As these reckless charges have been RECENTLY
repeatedly made. undoG b'edlY for the purnoSe
OF unlustly influencing Congress in Its action
upon antaConistic bills now before II. a further
expression OF the judgment Of the Board was
now desired that the President might continue
to speak authorItatiyely upon the subject.
II might not be improper to state that an
absurd ana pntTuthful statement had been
made that the Quartermaster General had
recommended the Department 10 build a road
from Washington 10 Point Of Rocks during the
war, and that the influence OF this company
was used TO prevent the construction Of such
lire for the Government. This charge, like
those being made generally against the com
pany. is without the slightest foundation The
officers OF this company certainly never heard
OF such n design, and the President Judged
that the q Quarermaster General would be As
much surprised as himself by having attrib-
uted 10 him a design 10 build such a road for
the Government during the war.
Col. Nicholas offered the following resolu-
uon. which, after receiving the earnest en-
dorsement and approval OF the members who
addressed the Board upon the subject was
adopted by unanimous Ote.
Rss0lred, That the Pres dent be authorized
u state that the policy O.. the Baltimore aud
Ohio Railroad Company. as heretofore de-
clared, is to build the Metropolitan Branch
Road from Point of Rocks 70 Washington, and
that the work thereon shall be vigorously
prosecuted. provided that the construction of
no additional or parallel line or lines be au-
thorlzed by the Congress Of the United States
In the course OF the debate attention was
called 10 the fact that tie company now nos
Sesses first-class double-track road from the
Point OF Rocks 10 the Relay House, and from
the Relay House 10 Washington. aud that the
present capacity OF the road is far more than
quadruple any probable business for Wash
ingtOn. but that the direct branch road yVould
be bulk, although upon a most costly route
irrespective Of remunerative results in order
To gratliY and promote the various and large
iANeAeSNs mat NOulu Oe Denentte0 by ItS con-
strUction.
"A comm unication from ". Z. Smith. Master
OF transportation OF the Company, was sub-
mit'ed- rendering bis resignation, TO take effect
On the 3Uth instant. In connection with whi,h
The President offered the following resolutions
which were unanimo ousIy adopted:
ReSotred. That in accepting the RESIGNATION
OF w llIlam Prescott Smith as Master OF Trans
portaton OF this Company. this Board takes
pleasure in acknowledging It's sense 81 =,
ablllty, hdelIty and integrity with whi-h
eurlng many years, and in trying periods Ia
uniformly discharged the duties of his office
heSGtred, That the Board hereby tender To
him its most cordial wishes for his future suc
cess and prosperity.
Ihe President then nominated John l. VIII
son (ihe present Master of Roads) as the suc
ton.
In making this nomination, the President
stated that Mr.. Wilson entered the service of
the Company in ls4S. that he was Amounted
ASSISTANT Master Of Road in 1854, and Master
OF Road in 1e5s; that during the eighteen wears
OF service in the Company, Mr.. Wilson has
pefh distinguished by uniform devotion 70 fts
interests by the exhibition of marked fore
slght, energy, courage, indomitable perseyer.
ance, ana by the most careful ana iudicious
selection OF the officers and men in his denart-
ment. ~
Whilst to some members OF the Roard ha
might not be personally known. as his modes
" was only exceeded by his merit, has general
reputation for integrity, and as an earnest ard
by all
After the remarks of the Preside mt the nom-
NATION OF Mr.. Wilson as Master OF Transpor
ia'lon was confirmed and approved by an
unanimous vote.
Srra