Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-10-24


could be readily ent by ran, consigned TO a
1'etor, saving ,be tedious and uuprofita table
process by Uagoning them to market. In the
end ne main sem wonld derive advantage
Tom hr constrnc,iou of these branches. Some
year, ago project fer the construction OF a
branch to George own had fallen through in
consequence OF The point Of connection pro-
posed upCn being rco near Alexandria 10 suit
George etown. There were two or three condi.
uons needed preliminary 10 entering upon this
x ork. lst. That there shall be no discrimi-
ration in favor OF Alexandria. ID. That the
connection stall be at such points that George
town shall have equal advantages with Alex
andria; and finally that the branches should
not he mixed up with any complications upon
we are willing 70 make the utmoet exertioIs 10
build the road. EApplause.l He read q letter
from the Merchaa;s Exchange, which is as
ROOM MERCHANTS EXCHANGE, GRoRGE-
TOWN, Oct. Is, 1867 Dear Sir Your commu-
Hicaiion Of this morning is before me- In
reply to the questions therein propounded.
think can safely say that railroad connec-
tion from this place with the Alexandra,
Loudon and Hampshire road is manifestly OF
so much importance, and must be attended
with SO many advantages, that the bHsiness
men and property holders are anxious to have
the connection made, and will use every exer-
ton to have 1t completed. l will also say that
the extension Of this road to Aldie or beyond
IT, being OF equal importance to the best in
terests OF our town. is equally desired by our
business community, and they will take the
the latter rs in the former case to ensure It's
accomplishment.
Yours truly, EVAN LYONS,
President Merchants Excnange
Mr.. X. T Merrick. IN behalf Of Washington,
then addressed the meeting The people OF
Washington, he said, fully appreciated the
Importance OF the en- ierprise, and were willing.
upon certain condi,ions, stated by Mr.. Cox,
TO cooperate In raising the money. They de-
sire that trade shall be fostered. 1t was true
az measure OF political economy that there
should be the most perfect free trade between
all comm unities. More faciie communica alton
was needed between the District and the sur
rounding country, anc he had no doubt lash.
fall extent OF her ability. There were, how
ever, one or two material questions connected
with the subject. Before the citizens OF tha
District could enter upon this work they m ust
be assured that they will have some Control
over one of these lateral branches; tn 1t lie Id
ing to the District This could be arranged by
contract, or by the Loudon road yielding
part OF her franchise for the constr uction OF
this branch 1t was necessary for the District
TO have control over this branch to ensure
against determinations; and possibly COM
would cover the side tracks. They also would
need guarantee of an equal chance with
Aiexandria. 1t had been suggested in the
resolutions to tap the road at a point eq dis
tant between the cities of Washington and
Alexandria. This would carry the connecting
point below Washington. The best route
would be to carry it across the Potomac
above Georgetown. and develop the water
power at the Great Falls. The IIoudon road
had now direct communication with Wash.
lpgton by switch running on to the Wash.
lngton and Alexandria road, but he did not
know what connection was afforded by thar
route That connection was, however too
near Alexandra to make 1t profl'a for pro-
dnce reaching It to turn back 10 Washington.
There was no question about the eXpediency
OF the enterprise. It was 8 fact known to ali
railroad men that the more branches you make
the more business you make for the main stem
he spoke OF the great advantages to an agri.
cultural country OF having railroad facilities
Even in as rich county as Loudon the popu-
laflon Will be sparse and the products com
pararively small without navigable waters or
railroads. In the great West railroad facilities
were used On larger scale to this end The
Juvenile city OF Chicago, for instance, had
twenty. seven railroad lines entering her limits,
plause.l t-~F
Aldermen Richards suggested that they
NonIo De glad 10 hear from the railroad com.
Mr.. Lewis Mckenzie, President o, the road
sald tnat this scheme for connection with the
Dis'rict had been before the company ever
since its organi iZaron. They were anxious to
erect 1t, not combining themselves TO the inter.
ests OF Alexandra, but taking into considera.
non lne WIDER interests OF Georgetown and the
metropolis OF the nation. This road ia no sham
ahalr 1t was projected to go to the coal fields
1t ts bound there, and will 20 there! The
original project for this connection fell through
GEORGETOWN. The Corporation of GEORGETOWN
wished 1t to be made so far up river that it
was not deemed advisable. At that time
S300.0O0 could have been got from Virginia, in
addition to the S2OO, GOO from Georeetown' to
make these connections. The State Of Virginia
was not now in condition to contribute this
sum.
Mr.. Mckenzie proceeded to sneak in warm
terms OF the country above Leesburg; the
richest country in Virginia He believed that
he amount gained to the District by having
n ia Yfnh
there would more than pay the interest on the
sum necessary to build the road. Some in Al.
exandria were opposed TO its construction but
the company, looking to the general interests
con cerned, were disposed to make a fair ar
rangement. The people of Loudon naturally
wished TO get the best market for the produce
their wheat more in the District cities than in
Alexandria they wanted to avail themselves
OF the chance. In Washington the City Ooun.
cils mad heretofore not had enterprise enough
under the influence of the Baltimore and Ohio
ralIroad to subscribe for the construction of
this branch. He spoke frankly for he mad felt
sorsa bout this matter. The road, he might say,
was in sound condition. A bout SI.9OO 600
had been spent in its constructon;
it had NO mortgages or liens what.
ever except q mortgage Of 100000 to
CLARKE county, which mortgage would be as.
reached that county. The road would sell at
auction for S5tD,0O0. A negotiation had been
effected by which the Company got the states
- AASA0 sonS. AAc OoIy QIdWOdcK
the road had was In the way ofready msrey to
60 on with extending its operations. Thev
would not sacrifice their bonds, and it was dim.
cult 10 effect a fair sale for them while Govern
ment bonds were in the market in Competition
with them. Here waB q road that had cost
S2GC0,Oc0. II the District wanted a partner.
ship in the road she could have it. II not she
need not take 1t. There ia no desire TO discrim.
inete In tolls-and there will be none, We
want your aid, and If you will give 1t to MS
we will promise to build the branch road, and
fho~
try OF which mention has been made [Ap.
plause
Mr. VIM. IT. Tenney, OF GEORGETOWN. said
his friend, Mr. Mckenzie. seemed to think tha
people OF the District stood In their own lirht.
The fact wae, the connection originally pro-
posed didn't suit; 1t was too near Alexandra.
w hen he was boy he was willing for the fun
OF sliding down hill to walk back, but he had
got over that now. Georgetown was ready to
do her part in the way Of subscription. In
Georgetown they were not Obliged to 70 to the
people for auth ortty TO subscribe money to in
crease the indebtedness. It was different in
Washington. The Metropolitan Railroad fell
through because GEORGETOWN was not sun.
ported. This road would work beneflcially fe
all the points concerned, and especially when
1t rea ched the coal fields Gsoreeto Wn wonld
get the wheat, washington the fiour, and All.
exandria the coal. (Applauss.)
Mr.. Robert Ball, of WASHINGTON offered an
amendment TO the sixth resolution, as follown:
Resolred, That the citizens OF Loudon conn.
~, the Nero hant's Exchange Of Washington.
the Corporation OF Georgetown, the Board OF
Washington. and the Oorp rporation of Wasbins.
ton be requested 70 appoint committees to con.
fer. &c.
Judge !. O. Underwood noved n .,o.ra