The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-03
The Great Enterprises Of the Day.

The Great Enterprises Of the Day
r,o James River and Kanawha canal ana
,,o Corington and Ohio railroad are tue
enterprises now commanding the deepest
sn,,c;tnds of our people. The first-namea Il
a.. ,,ost ,nportan, that ever has been pro-
;oc,os IN this State, and rs already stated mas
49,, romi,,ed TO the French Company Tor
a, comrletion that Company 10 take con
-, ,he work upon the performance OF
-, conditions precedent. TNe second III
nort,nce is the Covington and Ohio rail.
road. This work Is engaging the at'eh'ioh
of The present Legislature, and has com
mended itself TO men of enterprise Hnd capitai
from distant cities We have already noticed
the two bills for the construction OF tins ROAD
One pending in the Senate and the other In
the House of Delegates one faVoring the pro-
posal Of the company known as THoNP-"N y
CO. and the other that styled REzS"E 20
We described the differences between the TWO
plans the chief of which is, that lhoAf ''
Co propose TO build Il road from hicHiil'o""
10 Newport News, and n branch ro'o ei'n''
from Coyington (the eastern terminus u '''
Coyincton and Ohio railroadl to Lyhchoul I
or from some point on the CoNihgloh ana 'hio
railroad 10 the Virginia anu tennessee i'ii
road, TO and from such points, ana proceeding
along such route as the company may oeehi
most eXpedient.
The leading persons in the concern OF 1 h"NP-
son 4 Co. are applicants for other charters,
,rh;ch have some connection with the railroad
johannes above alluded TO. One Of them Is the
charter of the Atlantic Coast Steamer Noiu-
many. 10 run a line lines OF large, swilt
NJ. n
steamers between New York and ports south
Of Philadelphia Another is the incorporation
of a company with powers enabling them 10
establish warehouse, and carry on an express
and transportation business, 10 receive pro-
Marty on s.orage make advances upon II, issue
policies of insurance, &c. The OBJECT Is, IL Is
stated, 10 aid the farming and manufacturing
community by loans, the company taking pro-
perry as security, and transporting and sell
ing it,
The same company is in possession OF the
charter for the steam line from Norfolk 10 ST.
Nazaire. If we imagine the company Withlt>
railroad lines complete, these other schemes
will be evidently important anxiliaries 10
them. Freishts and passengers, including
emigrants, would, 10 Il considerable extent DE
under their control.
This is certainly combination Of very great
magnitude, and many millions would be requi-
site TO consummate its many schemes. Unjust
be remembered, however, that though the
leading men in the principal proposition are
connected with them all, yet the names
except theirs, are different in each.
Knowing nothing in the world Of the pecu-
mary ability of the applicants Tor the priNl-
leges and properties of our railroad and other
hos ami n n in
as an evidence of the appreciation of the natu-
raj resources Of Virginia and her future pros
poets, by intelligent and enterprisnS citizens
OF other communities. They are not mistaken
In their impressions. This State is unsur-
passed for her fertile soil, her vast mineral
riches, and her water-power. These lntelll'
gent gentlemen see what may be done with
them. In their minds eye they see the State
peopled with dense populations, her mines
Welding the finest results, her water-poweT
everywhere busily employed, and they know
that the highways for the trade and travel OF
such State and such people must enrich the
pockets of all interested i'll them. We need
not, therefore, be surprised al the eagerness 10
yet possession of those highways nor at the
number of new schemes gotten up In TINS
State so Immediately after the termination Of
the war.
So regarding these indications, we should con-
slider il one OF the most short sighted and suici'
dal of things for the General Assembly 10
repress, by any kind ofdiscouragement, the spi'
rit now so general. The expenditure OF capital
from abroad in public works will have the hap
piest effect upon the condition of our hard
pressed community. The disposition 10 make
investments in this way should receiv" the
most liberal encouragement.
Nevertheless, the General Assembly would
be derelict 10 its own duty did it not examine
fully into the intentions and sufticiency of the
corporators. II would be unwise 10 put i'm.
portant franchises into improper hands, from
which il might be difficult 10 withdraw them
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