Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-05-24
ANOTHER RAILWAY scHEME.

fby any fortuitous circumstances, all the
railroads that have been projected, on pa
per, over this route, now doubly and trebly
occupied, should be built, he that lives to
see the day viii enjoy rare treat. In
truth we do not know all the charters that
have been granted for this purpose; every
body is, manifestly, under the Impression
that here is a valuable route and that rail
road should forthwith be built, but when
the pins are put down there are a thous
and little obstacles, set up by other parties,
to be overcome, which embarrass the enter
prise, and we, poor unfortunates, along the
grand route. are left high and dry, the mere
playthings of mammoth corporations and
individual ambition
Two great rival corporations, the giants
fthe State, claim to hold the right of way
from Harrisburg and Chambersburg to
Pittsburgh and any other points which they
may desire to reach over this route-the
Pennsylvania Central by the charter of the
Southern Pennsylvania and Connellsvile,
and the Reading by the charter of the South
Pennsylvania, OF which was once known as
the Sherman Valley road, or scheme. We
do think that the conduct of the latter cor
poration has been marked with greater stu
pidity than generally marks great enterpri-
ses 1t has been a most powerful corpora
ton for years it should have been evident
It's managers that an outlet to reach the
Western trade was imperatively demanded
over every available route, and that to keep
step with It's great rivals, it was absolutely
necessary that one of these routes should be
seized and held, and not only seized and
beld, but occupied by substantial road
The Sherman Valley route was covered by
q charter long enough prior to the iucorpo-
ration of the Southern Pennsylvania and
Conuellsville but the golden opportunity
was left slip, and through its mastery in
activity" it is, as regards through route,
a mere collateral Whether it ever intends
to do anything in this direction we do not
know, but We do know that it keeps up the
organization of the South Pennsylvania
Company, for some purpose or other. In
this respect it is not much behind the South
ern Pennsylvania and Connellsville; true,
that thrifty corporation, the pet of the
Central, has put the approaches to a tunnel
under contract between Bedford and Mt.
Dallas, the work of thirty or forty hands for
three or four months, and may complete the
Broad Top Road to Bedford inside of eight
years. or, it may be, in less time. At pres
ent we are wearing out our patience in
waiting.
The late Legislature, not satisfied with the
lcthargy of the giants who set by the way
side, and not having the fear Of the mo-
nonolies before its eyes, determined to
spur up the old, oyergrown, s0le-less affairs
that have squatted down upon us, like Sin
bad's old man, by snaLiag the following
charter through the cayious branches and
which was subsequently signed by the Gov
ernor
SECTION 2. That said company shall have
authority to construct railroad or railroads.
with branches from their lands in said eoun.
ties, by such routes, and to such points of
connection with other railroads and to CON
meet with such other railroads as the directors
may seem advisable: and said company shall
be entitled to all the privileges and be subject
10 all the provisions and restrictions pre-
scrlbed by an act regulating railroad compa-
nies, approved the 10Th of February. A. ID.
l849, and the several supplements thereto:
ana that SAID company shall have authority to
increase their capitol stock to an amount not
exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars, for
every mile of road the directors may deem
anp1Gaht IN krifd md hat h.
SAID company be authorized to borrow, from
nme to time, such sums of money as may
seem necessary to provide for the construc-
uon and equipment of said railroads and
branchesj and tolssue bonds therefor in sums
not less than one hundred dollars each at a
rate OF interest not exceeding seven per cent.
TO be redeemed at such time and place as the
directors may agree upon, and may secure the
same by one or more mortgages, from time TO
time, upon the whole or any part or parts of
said railroads, branches and extensions here
by authorized, and upon all or part Of the es-
tate, real and personal, acquired, or to be ac
quired, thereto belonging, and upon the cor
porate franchises thereof, or such part as may
be mortgaged.
SECTION 3. That the charter of said com
pany is hereby extended for a further period
OF twenty years. and that said company shall
not connect its roads with the Pittsburgh and
Connellsville Railroad
There, what do you think of that? Sure.
ly, that's broad enough What is the use
of a Free Railway Law as long as the Bed
ford Iron Company exists? Under such a
charter company ought to be able to build
a railroad to the Pacific. OF course it does
not give any definite points of commence
ment or departure, but what of that? The
Directors are authorized to run where it
may seem advisable those ''are the very
words. " Begin nowhere, or anywhere and
run where they please. BIest thought
Most happy conception Suppose tbev
think it advisable" to connect with the
Northern Central at Harrisburg, or the Bal
timore and Ohio at Cumberland and the
Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne and CHICAGO at
Pittsburgh; or should some unaecountable
"kink move the Directors they might be
instigated to connect with the New York
and Erie at Erie, on theone hand, and bridge
the Delaware at Philadelphia and connect