The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-03
The Great Railroad Question.

The Great Railroad Question.
Colonel FoNTAINE addressed card t.
the editor Of the Times, through that paper
Of Saturday, for the purpose of explain
inc his position on the subject Of the pla,
recently adopted by the Central railroad
for the completion of the Covington and
Ohio railroad, and Of explaining the pur
mort and intent Of the plan itself. He re.
presents il as a compromise between the
two extremes: the do-nothings and those
who, he contends, were going too Gar and
100 fast. Having ourselves fully explained
the plan, it is needless to copy the Colonies
explanation. He concludes as follows:
"This compromise contains mutual con.
cessious; it contemplates that funds raised
ON the west end of the road shall be ex
nepded to get the road in operation first al
the east end it then allows the property
AT the east end to be mortgaged to secure
the completion at the west end.
"Now, let all parties who are interested
come forward and aid in raising the
s.. OOO, 900 to get the road in operation to
steamboat navigation on the kanawha'
Then the first subscribers OF stock moi
only will be safe, but the completion OF
the road 10 the Ohio will be certain. The
net earnings of the road, after 1t reaches
that point, will pay the interest on q loan
10 finish the road to the Ohio river, even II
no more stock is subscribed"
This is the proper spirit. The plan is
adopted. 1t was unanimously adopted
and all the friends of the enterprise should
heartily endeavor, without stopping by the
way to dispute over side issues, to carry II
out by building the road. Our neighoor
the Wing sets proper estimate upon this
great work, and Justly asserts that it will
secure immortal fame to the man who COM
pletes it. Assuming that it will be and
must be completed, it says if one man can
not do il, We must get another If Colonel
FoNThNE fails, we must find another. II
is very true that men should not be
allowed to stand in the way Of great
State projects; but taking as sam
pie of the energy, tact, and perseverance
of Colonel FoNTAINE, the construction OF
the road from Staunton to Jackson's river,
we have very good basis upon which to
rest strong hopes for encouraging results
for the great undertaking under his ad-
ministration.
Our neighbor of the Times, who, having
skirmished few days for position, is now
nearly right, is still little impractical.
He shows the hesitation and caution Of a
man about to enter the VOLTS den he
wants others to 60 ahead, and by no means
to put himself beyond the power of re-
treat. He acknowledges that Richmond
is immensely interested in the great work,
but does "not wish the people of Rich
mond 10 commit themselves beyond the
possibility of withdrawal" Then he still
harps upon West Virginia being more inte-
rested than Virginia, and that We should
say to her people that whenever they are
ready to do their part We are ready to
subscribe literally! West Virginians have
as much right to say that same to us as
We have to say it to them. The question
Of relative advantage from the road is a
very nice one-debatable, at least. There
fore it does not become either to throw
distrust upon the other by any such init
nations. Both should magnanimonsly
come forward, and striving to achieve a
work Of inestimable importance to both
each determine not to be outdone.
But we call the TimeS's attention to the
contract, which is protection enough, We
are sure. Until s5,OOO,OOO are subscribed
no step will he taken. That is sufficient tc
finish the road to the falls of Kanawha, and al
Colonel FONTAINE says 4" the nett earning
"of the road after 1t reaches that point 'o'l
"pay the interest on loan to finish the rodc
"to the Ohio riuer, even if no more STOCK
" subscribed"
So, stick to the contract. Richmon'
knows what it is, and can hazard nothing
by subscribing her part. But II we are u
stand back for guarantees, and continuin
to cry, "you CO." and "you go'' whi
we turn systematically to the rear to see
hole through which to retreat why fail
ure-ignominiou failure-will be our fate
This is not what our neighbor wants, AM
we propose to him to stand upon the con
tract. If all are united it can be carried