The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-27

the line, so that the entire work can be
vigorously prosecuted.
In an address upon similar occa-
sion Il year since i had the honor to pre-
sent to this Board views in reference to
the Importance of a line of railway
from Harper's Ferry, through the VAL
ley OF Virginia, to connect with the
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, and
thence by the connections of that road
through the intermediate States to New
Orleans. 1t was understood that those
views received the sanction OF this
Board and of the community. The
large populations in the great and fer
tile regions which would be so filvOra-
bly, affected by this improvement fail
ed to secure such legislation at the last
session of the Legislature OF Virginia
as would induce the necessary invest
ment of capital in this enterprise. The
anxiety OF the entire population of the
Valley and the regions that would be
so vnstly benefited by work of this
magnitude and Importance are in
tensely anxious for n successful result.
In intercourse with the leading citizens
OF that great State, who desired to con-
fer on this subject, your Executive has
informed them that, as the Baltimore
and Ohio Company has before it enter
prises which are absorbing, and will
more than absorb all the means
It can command, yet, if the
IoLdle vi NTBlnlu S0OOlu desire
the aid of its capital, and of capi-
talists who might be influenced in their
Investments by this Company, it will
be gratitied to cooperate in promoting
the restoration of the prosperity of the
State, by developing, as undoubtedly
would be the case, the manufacturing,
the mining and the agricultural inter-
estS OF the extensive regions which
would be affected by the prosecution
OF this work. 1t is understood to be
the sentiment of many of the most
sHgacious statesmen OF that Common
wealth, that no means should be omit
ted to attract capital from other States
for investment in internal improve
ments within her borders. The practi-
cal fact is before the people of that
state, that the Baltimore and Ohio
Road-differing in this respect from
the roads in Virginia which have re-
ceived contributions from the State.
and from the nOn-productiveness OF
which the taxpayers have suffered
most severely, has furnished to the
people of West Virginia a superior
road for travel and transportation,
without having obtained dollar of aid
from the State, and ut the same time
supplied them with transportation, un-
der tariff rates which are one-third less
than those charged in the State of Vir-
ginia by the works constructed under
the direct auspices of that State. With
the prospect of such advantages to their
agricultural, manufacturing and other
interests, where the farmer and the
manufacturer would be thus enabled
to add direct y to their wealth. not only
by the facilities of the works designed.
but by the difference of charges under
the system of the Baltimore and Ohio
Road, of one-third the cost compared
with tho ordinary charges tor similar
transportation in Virginia, it is be-
lleved that the Legislature will not
long fail to respond by such wise action
as will serve such vast and important
interests.
The Central Ohio Railroad Company
recently presented to this Company the
subject of lensing that road, so that the
line might be under the same govern
ment from Baltimore to Columbus. BY
the action, with singular unanimity, Of
that Company and this Board, an agree
ment for the lease of that important
work has been recently concluded,
which went into operation on the first
of the present month. It is the design
of this Company at once to so
strengthen and improve the road, and
add to its equipment and facilities aswill
enable it to transact, promptly and sue
cessfully, Il largely increased business.
II Is believed that great advantages will
result to the city of Baltimore, and to
the Baltimore and Ohio and Central
Ohio Roads, from this unity of fmanace-
ment and perfect co-operation. The
officers of the Baltimore and Ohio Com
pany are making special arrangements
to promote the local interests upon that
road, as to the system upon its own
line, and to furnish every practicable
facility for the increase of its traffic and
the development of its advantages,
Opportunities are thus afforded by
which increased facilities can be given
to the business of the city of Wheeling
with the West, and the careful efforts
of this Company will, in this connec-
ton, be given to advancing the interest
of that important and improving citv.
More intimate relations will be secured
and maintained with the great lines of
railway centering at Columbus, and it
IS designed to secure increased advan-
tageS for prompt transportation of
freight, and in improved connections
for passengers. The lines running in
connection with the Central Ohio Road
desired the arrangement which has
been made, and this Company is as
sured OF their cordial and effective CO.
operation in increasing and improving
the business and facilities of the route.
The equipmentof of the Baltimore and
Ohio Company has been continuously
increased, and now, in locomotive
power, has swoolen to such proper
tlonS as not only TO enable it to trnns-
act promptly all the business offered.
but to furnish additional capacity for n
largely increased business. With the
important and valuable additions TO
second track, the Company determined
to furnish additional facilities for the
transportation OF such articles as re-
quired rapid movement. Some months
since, for the special benefit of the
largo oyster business of Baltimore. and
for the promotion Of the interests of inn
porters, dealers in dry goods, foreign
fruits, etc., as well as to forward rapid |
ly from the West costly or perishable
articles, it determined to establish n
express line, which should
remove such freights West and East at |
passenger speed over the entire road. |
This organization has proven to be n |
marked success, and is most useful in
the special interests to which
reference has been made.
The arrangements of this line extend |
from Baltimore ViG PnrkersburG. and
the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad
to Cincinnati and tho Southwest, and |
UiG Bellair and the Central Ohio Road |
to Columbus, and all points in the
West and Northwest.
The rapid improvements effected bv |
heavy expenditures upon the Parkers-
burg Branch, and the approaching COM |
pletion of the arching of its tunnels. |
combined with the improvements effect
ed upon the line of the Marietta and |
Cincinnati Road, especially in connec-
ton with the use of the direct line into |
the western part ofthe city of Cincinnati |
will enable the Company. with these
during the next season, to |
furnish the best and shortest possible |
line for passengers and freight between
Cincinnati aud Baltimore, and Cincin. |
natl and Washington.
During the war the Company has pre-
pared very large quantities of stone for !
the great bridges to be erected over the |