The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-11-29
Railroads -Virginia Interests

We do not know whether anything la!
been or will be done by the fall meeting
OF the railroads for the interests Of Tho
State, which have been so seriously preju
diced in the past by the regulations which
have heretofore prevailed with more or les!
severity with these corporations. AS the
changes which are necessary would posi-
bly, for time diminish their revenues, tht
larger stockholders arc much opposed t.
them, and the much-needed reform for ths
public welfare viii be difficult to accom-
plish.
Nevertheless, let US nope that such
changes may be made, or may have been
made, in their directories that we may yet
see them pursuing the only policy which
can ultimately make them greatly prosper
ous-a system of freiShts which will not
subordinate our own interests to those OF
strangers, and dwarf our own commerce
by driving the trade away from our own
cities. When VIC say that within seventy
miles southwest of this city freight from
New York is delivered for the same price
per hundred weight that i is from this
CITY, we state fact which is only an Illus
tration of the general disadvantage to
which Virginia cities are placed By rail
road transportation in their competition
with the grea: commercial communities OF
the North. II is monstrous that this policy
should be pursued by any corporation
in Virginia. 1t is not only rccreant to
those public interests ali Virginia corpo-
rations should feel bound to favor or pro-
tect, but directly against their own inter-
eSts.
Virginia railroads can ucvcr hS very
prosperous until they are sustained by
thrifty and largely producing .communl-
ties of dense populations. The railroads,
by low reights and liberal accommoda-
1ions, can do more than any other agency
to bring about such industrial prosperity
and increased populations. Let them en-
courage their own cities by lowering their
frcightS, and aliording at least as liberal
accommodations as they give to other
cilieS-ict them determine that nothing
that can be converted into money by being
transported to market shall rot and perish
because their freights arc SO high that 1t
cannot bear transportation. They should
see that everything in the regions they ira
verse should be made available, as far as
transportation can make it. so, in order
that industry, and Improvement, and pro-
duction, and populations, may all be en-
couraged and made tributary to their OWL
prosperity by increasing their business.
Railroads have the plaincst duty before
them. 1t is one Of patriotism and policy
alike. If they cut open the goose that
lays the golden eggs they will destroy the
true source of their prosperity. The mar
row policy which looks only to immediate
dividends must doom them to traverse
lands of poverty, old fields, and broom
straw. II they discard that poor system
and adopt that which encourages industry
induces greater variety ofcrops, improve.
the country, and increases its population
they will, like the wise and energetic
farmer, behold the bright and beautiful
scene of prosperous tillage which theil
wisdom and liberality have produced, ant
which is pouring daily its rich reward:
into their Golfers.
Town and country--trade and industry
all demand this of the railroad corpora
tions; and in complying with this demand
they pursue the only course which Cal
make them in the greatest degree uSetn
to society, and themselves prosperous.