The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-06

Steger eommissloner,J Will soH to.oay, on tns
premises, a O'Clock !. H., eight building
lots in Adams's Valley near the workshops Of
the yirginis Central railroad.
NJ : :. : : :. - - nu.uu-- t' sH~3 a
LOCAL MATTERS.
Airline Rood 70 Lynehburg.
The committee appointed to consider
this subject met yesterday afternoon.
Mr.. Burr, from the eoin1httee to which
had been referred certain inquiries rela-
tive to legislation upon the road, its length,
probable cost, &C., made the following re-
port. which was read and adopted:
s..... REPORT. II
The subcommittee appointed yesterday
to report as to the survey, length, probable
cost, &C., &C., of the Richmond and Lynch
burg Airline railroad, have necessarily, in
SO short an interval, only . partial report
to make, and, of course, In their esti-
mates can only approximate.
So far as legislation is concerned, the
work can proceed at once. An act passed
in 1860 authorizes certain commissioners
named therein, or any three of them, ITO
open books at such times and places as
they think proper, and receive subscrlp-
tions to the amount OF 81 ,0OO, 900, in shares
of Sl00 each, to constitate capital stock,
to construct railroad from the CITY OF
Richmond, or some convenient point on the
Richmond and Danville railroad, to Lynch
burg and when 1000 shares OF said capt.
tai stock shall have been subscribed for,
the subscribers shall be incorporated un-
der the name and style Of the Richmond
and Lynchburg Railroad Company" &c.
This act has no limitation; and the neces-
sary number of commissioners are ready
to proceed whenever requested to do so.
Another subcommittee has charge OF. the
question as to q suitable time and the pro-
per mode of opening these books of sub
scriptiOn.
1t will appear by this act that 81 900, 600
was considered an adequate capital for the
prosecution of this work in 1860. The
times have changed, and the currency has
changed with them. On the basis OF estl-
mate which prevailed then, it would only
be safe to estimate in gold now. If that
estimate was reliable then, at present pro-
portion between gold and currency, 81 $780,
600 in currency would be the minimum
amount which the capital should reach
now. After conference with experienced
engineers, it is believed that this amount
the sum which should be
fixed for the capital. The price of labor,
iron, and all materials required in making
and equiping railroad depends now upon
the course which gold may take. If, in the
course of the next few months, there shall
be a large decrease in the premium on
gold, then this estimate would be most ma
terially varied and it should be para
mount object, so far as consistent with rea-
sonable speed, to avail of any such proba-
bic reduction.
So far as your committee have been able
to learn, there have been rcconnoissances
on this route, but no thorough survey; and
it would be unwisc to express an opinion
as to the route itself or the points where
the road should terminate in Richmond or
Lynchburg. The facts, SO far as developed,
as to the general features of the country,
the few rivers to be crossed, and the pro-
bable grades, are all favorable to direct
road, at mcr'erate cost.
In the absence of complete survey, OF
course the actual length of the airline
route must also be somewhat uncertain.
Gas the crow flies," it appears that the dis
tance is not orer ninety miles, and not
under eighty-fve; and how near this
straight line may be approximated will
depend upon circumstances which survey
only can determine.
The position of the city of Richmond,
and the condition Of things around her at
this moment, make it imperative upon her
people, if they would preserve what pro-
pcrty and trade they have, and enlarge
both as nature has given them opportu-
nifty, to have q railroad connecting them
directly, and by the shortest possible
route, with the interior and borders OF the
State and the rich country beyond, now
seeking the quickest and cheapest outlet
to tide-water. Notwithstanding their in
vestment of more than S2,000,000 in the
internal improvements of Virginia, they
have no such road, and have bad no fair
chance to improve the advantages which
nature has bestowed upon them. Their
ability to avail of this auspicious time, and
make this connection, depends upon their
,oiU. The real and personal property Of
the city is worth in currency over S37 ,OOO,-
900. An investment Of two and half per
cent. of this in securing the proposed
connection would have the probable
result, in time, Of making return which
can scarcely be calculated.
Your committee believe from the mani
festations that our citizens are wide awake
on this subject. 1t has been q source OF
surprise to them that so many are ready to
cooperate in working for and subscribing to
the road. They hope to find the same
feeling in Lynchburg and in the counties
on the route.
This report, embodying the information
obtained in the twenty -four hours which
have elapsed since the appointment OF the
committee, is necessarily imperfect. There
are sources of aid to this road besides the
cities and citizens of Richmond and Lynch
burg and the counties on the line, which
have not been approached for want Of time,
but which can be counted on to help 1t
along as it progresses. The prospect Of OBJ
tanning the required capital Is far better
than that which led to the completion OF
many roads now in successful operation.
Z Your committee recommend that be-
ginning be made at once by taking the pre-
liminary steps of subscription and survey.
DAVID j. BURR,
y Chairman; Committee.
JOHN D. HARVEY, : -
J. A. COwARDN,
On motion, 1t was determined TO enlarge
the committee from twelve to thirty, and
the following gentlemen were appointed tc