The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-06-27

ticn to accomplish the reduction of rreights
In an inverse ratio somewhat correspond
ing 10 the increased capacity Of the road"
These data are given by scientific men
who have paid great attention to the sub
icct. / have no doubt thet their parcti-
cability may bo nearly approximated,
and that freight may be carried from the
mouth of the Sandy, on the Ohio river, to
tidc-water in Virginia, at cost of less
than four dollars per ton. This would be
forty cents per barrel on -four, and ten
10 twelve cent. per bushel on wheat. Thus
Hour would be brought from st. Paul's,
In Minnesota and from Nebraska to- the
Atlantic scaboard at less than one dollar
per barrel, and all other articles in pro-
portion and for less distances the freight
would be Of course low in proportion.
This route would afford an outlet, at cheap
rates, for nearly onc-half Of the aericultu-
raj products OF the United States hence
the work should be national, and not con-
trolled by private corporation.
] propose for the construction Of this
road that a charter shall be granted by
the Congress Of the United States to cor
porators residing in Virginia, West Virgi-
MIA, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana,
Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska,
Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. 1t is
estimated that to build and equip this
road the cost will not exceed $50 900 per
mile, which for 400 miles would be 500, ,000,-
900. Admit that the cost would he $50
100000. To raise this money it is pro-
posed that the United States shall issue
its bonds for the amount necessary. The
road can he constructed in three years.
Interest upon a part Of this money would
have 10 be paid during that time. When
the road shall be completed, in addition
to the working expenses there should be
collected from freight an amount sufficient
to pay the interest and one per cent. as a
sinking fund. This sinking fund would pay
the whole cost Of the road in thirty -four
years As the work is national, this should
be all the charge upon freight. The intc-
rest might be continued to the Govern
mcnt as source of revenue through all
time. This, however, would be subject
for future consideration. Freight, then,
would be carried at its true cost Of trans
portatiop. The country would derive the
beneNt III the development Of its agricul-
tural and mineral resources, thereby in
crCasing the national wealth.
The speed on this road would be freight
speed but the recommendations and
cbcapness with which passengers could be
carried would attract to it millions Of pas
sergerS. especially emigrantS seeking the
great West, and persons accompanting
their produce TO market.
The finest depnsitS Of iron ore. as re-
cards both Guantitv and unaIity. are found
in Rockhridrc. B6tctourt. AlIeghany. and
Errcnhrirr imm.diatelv ON fhc line Of
this proposed road. II is ascertained that
the coal in the X Eanawha valley. where tbn
heaviest dcnosits are found IN the United
St,tos are nf = .rnrrior uuaIitv Cnr smeIt-
;n,, iron ore Thrsr danrsi.s IF iron and
coal are within less tban 100 miles Of each
other. Il will readily he seen that the coal
and iron will be thus hrough, together. af-
f,rdinr facilities for the manufacture of
iron uncquallcd on the continent. While
the country demands that our iron should
be manufactured at home, it also demands
cheap iron. The importance Of developing
the resources Of this great iron centre may
be estimated when we sec the vast amount
of iron ore shipped from the iron mouth