The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-09-11
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vrnSEspAY... SEPTEMBER IL. 1867
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

(,hoEaI)elhc SLli>1 VIM 4N1AAA SsS>As
We publish with pleasure the following
brief and explicit letter from Major MY
Frs, whose accomplishments and expe-
ricncc as on engineer cntitle his opinions
to grca, weight. He held most important
position upon the great work for supplying
Washington city with water, and gained
much distinction by the ability with which
he acquitted himself. He was also chief
engineer Of the Danvile and Greensboro
railroad. His position as assistant wi:n
Mr.. FISK gave him the best opportunity
for becoming familiar with what was the
Covington and Ohio line but is now the
unfinished part of the Chesapeake ana
Ohio railroad. We put perfect reliance IN
his opinions, and so should the people OF
Richmond, amongst whom he was born ana
raised, ard who know him so well.
When we consider the small sum that
is needed to put the important road 10
operation we cannot but feel impatlence
to sec it going ahead, 50 near do we seem
10 the grand achievement which has been
the subject of debate and Of hope for near
century.
From every sign we now behold We
should gather confidence and encourage
mcnt in the prosec ution Of this enterprise.
The new policy proposed with reference
to the Federal bonds must induce capt.
talsts to seek new investments and more
satisfactory security. Is there offered such
security as that proposed for loans TO the
Cbesapeake and Ohio railroad 1toenty
millions TO secure sir millions! Can't the
money under the present circumstances
be readily borrowed? We believe it
can and that if we choose, the work can
be finished in t,oo gears. If finished ID
that time, Richmond will only have to pay
interest for two years on her subscription,
as it may be called for. After that shc
becomes tho receiver Of the guaranteed
dividend of eight per cent. per annum
upon her subscription to the preferred
stock Of the company. The following is
Major MYERs's letter:
"RICIIM0SD, September 10, 1867.
"To tie Editors Of the Richmond Dispatch:
"The absorbing interest with which the
writer regards the question OF the prose-
cu,ion of the public work which will place
this community in direct communication
with the Mississippi Valley must be his
apology for this intrusion. He will occupy
bnt little space, for he only wishes to add
whatever weight his testimony may pos
scss to the statements already given TO the
public. He was for some time engaged
upon the Coyington and Ohio railroad, and
well acquainted with the lamented Charles
b. Fisk. He is, therefore, somewhat
familiar with the line and the region ira
verscd by it. He has, moreover, in COM
pany with Mr.. Whitcomb, Mr.. Kuper, and
others, examined the work done between
Covington and the White Sulphur Springs.
He believes it to be the most thoroughly
constructed, as well as the boldcst piece
of railroad in America; and this is no
hastily formed opinion.
"Thc United States Government, with
its lavish expenditure and monumental
system Of building, can show nothing bet
ter of the kind, and yet this imperial
Work lies lQle, uSclcSS, anu ailuoo1 ioi :
gotten in the mountains-much Of it, too,
nearly ready to receive the rails.
sit may be worth while to say to the
business men of this city, to most of whom
he is well known. that the writer fully en-
dorscs the estimates Of Mr.. Whitcomb and
Mr.. Kuper as given in Colonel Fontaine's
letter, and that he firmly believes that the
expenditure of the sums therein stated
will bring to this city u commercial pros
perity which will satisfy the most ardent
expectations of our muchtried but bravely
struggling community.
every respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,
"EpMoND Il. D. MYERS"