Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-12-21
President Garrett upon the Valley Rail
road Bill.

In his address the other day to the stock
holders Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
Mr.. Garrett mentions many evidences Of the
immense influence, remarkable enterprise,
and unlimited capital Of that company We
give what he says about the Valley railroad !:
In an address upon similar occasion a
year since, had the honor to present to this
board views in reference to the Importance of
line of railway from Harper Ferry through
the Valley 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. It was
understood that these views received the sane
ton Of this board and this community The
large population in the great and fertile re-
gions which would be 50 favorably affected
by this improvement failed to secure such leg
islation at the last session Of the Legislature
Of Virginia as would induce the necessary in
vestment Of capital in this enterprise. The
entire population of the Valley, and the re-
gions that would be so vastly benefited by a
work of this magnitude and importance, are
intensely anxious for successful result.
In intercourse with the leading citizens of
that great State who desired to confer on this
subject, your Executive has Informed them
that as the Baltimore and Ohio company has
before it enterprises which are absorbing,
and will more than absorb, all the means it
can command, yet if the State Of Virginia
should desire the aid Of its capital, and of
capitalists who might be influenced in their
investments by this company, it will be graf
fled to cooperate in promoting the restora-
ton of the prosperity Of that State, by devel-
oping, as undoubtedly would be the case, the
manufacturing, the mining, and the agricul-
tural interests Of the extensive regions which
would be affected by the prosecution Of this
work. It is understood to be the sentiment
Of many Of the most sagacious statesmen Of
of that commonwealth that no means should
| be omitted to attract capital from other States
for investment in internal improvements with
in her borders. The practical 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 received
| large contributions from the State, and from
the non productiveness Of which the tax-pay-
ers have suffered most severely, has furnished
to the people Of West Virginia superior
road for travel and transportation, without
having obtained dollar Of aid from the State
and at the same time supplies them with
transportation under tariff rates which are
one-third less those charged in the State Of
Virginia by the works constructed under the
direct auspices Of that State. With the pros
pect of such advantage to their agricultural
manufacturing, and other interests, where
the farmer and manufacturer would be thus
enabled to add directly to their wealth, no
only by the facilities Of the work designed
but by the difference Of charges under thu
system Of the Baltimore and Ohio road o
one third the cost compared with the ordina
~ charges for similar transportation in Vir
ginia it is believed that the Legislature vii
not long fail to respond by such wise actor
as will serve such vast and important inter
ests.