Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-09-12

\
The Chesapeake and Ohio Rail
road-Ths Subscriptions of ths
Western Virginia Counties
Letter ffem President Fon
tains.
| CHARLESTON, August 81, 1867.
Tb tie Editors Of tie RieAmend Dis
paseA
! have returned thus far from the
Convention at Point Pleasant, at the
mouth Of the Kanawha. This Con.
ventioa was composed of delegates
from the counties in West Virgins
along the branch Of the proposed
Chesapeake and Ohio road down the
Kanawha valley, and counties in
Ohio opposite Point Pleasant. and
extending to the Marietta and Gin
cinnati railroad.
When / left Richmond it had Just
been announced that the counties in
West Virginia below the Great Falls,
or Loop Creek sheals of Kanawha,
had determined to annex as q condi.
ton OF their subscriptions that the
proceeds should be expended be-
tween that point and the Ohio river.
This was not in accordance with the
plan agreed on at the White Sulphur
Convention. The scheme presented
at that time, and supposed to be
generally assented to, contemplated
the application of all the funds raised
at this time by subscription to the
continuous prosecution of the work
from Covington westward until it
reached steamboat navigation on the
Kanawha. Believing that after the
road reached that point it would
have q substantial basis of credit
sufficient to enable the company to
borrow money to finish the road to
the mouth of the Big Sandy, and in
conformity with the action of the
stockholders of the Central Compa-
ny in May last, the expectation was
to borrow, on the general credit of
the whole company. money enough
for that purpose. 1 felt deeply con
cerned lest the determination of the
western counties to apply their funds
at the west end of the line might be
injurious to our prospect of final
success, not understanding what was
their, expectation under the change
OF the plan fixed on by the Conven-
ton at the White Sulphur. My prin-
eipal object in attending the Point
Pleasant Convention was to ascertain
how they expected to make their
funds available for the promotion of
the common object Of getting
through connection from Richmond
to the railroads Of the West.
l found them fixed-immovably
axed-in the purpose of having their
funds expended at the west end of
The road, having arrived at that con-
on the assurance of the Pres.
dent of the Marietta and Cincinnati
Company that his own COM
pany and the people of Ohio oppo-
'ite Point Pleasant were ready and
anxious to construct q road to the |
mouth Of .Kanawha as soon as it
vas setted that road was to be con-
'tructed from the Falls of Kanawha
% that point. I learned from Mr..
Cutler, the President of the Marietta
md Cincinnati Railroad Company,
hat q survey had been made fer
'oa1 from his own to the mouth of
ne sKsnawha; that the distance was
,nly twenty eight miles; that he
hought reliable contractors were
'eady to undertake the construction
# the road in the Valley of the
Aanawha, and that the bonds of the
would be very near if not
sufficient to defray its cost.
was not, therefore, surprised at the
course they had determined upon.
They we're persuaded that their
inscriptions would open the
Dad along the valley of the
liver; that the twenty eight miles
rom Point Pleasant to the Ma
ietta road would be simultaneous
y built, and that thus 100
niles Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Dad would be brought into connec-
ion with Cincinnati and the whole
Of the West and Northwest.
t becomes an interesting inquiry /
ow the interests Of the Chesapeake
nd Ohio Company are affected by
Iithdrswing the subscriptions of
ounties in West Virginia west of the ,
'alls Of Kanaxha from the construc-
ion Of the road from Covington to
he Falls of Kanawhs, suppesing {
nat those subscriptions will put the |
sad In the valley of Kanswhs in
peration, and that road will be
uilt in Ohie forming direct con-
ection with Cincinnati The ques-
on TO be considered is whether 1t !
ill be easier for the company to
omplete the road from Covington to
le falls Of Kanawha with the sub.
'riptions east of the Falls, or to COM r
lete the whole road with all the sub Ii
,riptiOns. 1t must be remembered +
never was expected to complete a
le road without resorting to loan,
aSed on the general credit of the
after reaching the Kama )
ha- / think it is very clear that 9
ith road completed from the Falls E
Kanawha to the Ohio by the re2l .
ase Of the western subscriptions,
% company can more easily COM
ets the eastern end, not having to q q
~ q wnA -. A. "