The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-28

commerce, where it can most certainly
command the productions and trade of
| the great West. 1t passes through
country Astounding in the finest timber,
iron, and coal. The proximity Of coal to
the road, and its consequent cheapness,
| will lessen the expenses Of transportation.
No one can doubt that when completed it
will secure the commerce Of the West.
Passing through country of compare
lively equahle temperature, the trade will
be less impeded by ice and snow during
the winter, and consequently the western
farmer may deliver his crops of wheat as
his interest requires. This will give it
great advantages over the northern roads.
Much Of the money subscribed must be
laid out in the purchase Of supplies in this
city. This road sill be the shortest and
most convenient that can be afforded to
almost the whole line Of travel, and will
bring crowds to our watering places and
circulate large sums of money in their
neighborhood. It will add much to the
population and wealth Of the whole coun-
try. The certain consequence is that vii
lagos must rise at convenient distances
through the whole line Of travel, and what
has been permitted to remain almost a
wilderness will be subdued by the hand Of
the cultivator, and furnish food for man
and for those animals on whom man sub
sists. The city Of Richmond must feel it's
effect in becoming the emporium Of its
commerce.
One reason assures US that these effects
must be produced by the great cause which
you may put in operation, and experience
confirms the suggestions of reason. The
same cause never has failed, and we may
therefore believe will not now fail to pro-
duce the same effects. New York, Phlla-
delphia, and Baltimore are now reaping the
benefit of their great exertions to connect
their cities with the great West. Their
commerce and the value Of their whole
landed property has risen incidentally.
What ought to restrain you, as judicious
men, pursuing your best interests, from
making such exertions as will secure these
| immense advantages to yourselves and
your children? You are required not to
advance money, but to advance the credit
of the city. The debt of the city will be
! increased. But can you make any addi-
ton to your property without advancing
money or mourning debt ? The city will
be required to pay successive instruments
of interest. These inStalments will be a
very small portion Of the amount raised by
taxation in the city. The assessed value
of real estate in the cityis over S27 100000.
1t will not require an addition of one-third
| of one per cent. to the present tax to meet
these instruments, and the increase in values
and in business caused by the gradual ex-
tension of the road will probably make
even this increase unnecessary after one
or two years. You will thus not only pur-
chase great additional value to your pre-
sent property, but you will obtain in eX-
change for the city bonds preferred stock
of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad
a property which will, in all human proba-
bility, be worth more than the amount you
are called on to subscribe. 1t will, in settled
| times, be above par, should the dividends
amount to eight per cent. 1t is pro-
perty which, when the work shall be
completed. will at all times command
ready money. The stock of the Balti
more and Ohio Railroad Company, after
the work was accomplished, rose above
par, and is now worth % per cent. over
the sum originally subscribed. We may,
without being over sanguine, assume with
some confidence that this preferred stock
will be above par. 1t is consideration
not to be overlooked, in taking this view of
the subject, that much information is fur
nished by the experience of our Deighbors,
and that VIC may avoid errors which they
may have committed. This will lessen the
expense of the work.
The calculation, then, is not unreasone-
BILE, that by this subscription you will not
only put the charter in operation, not only
secure to yourselves the immense advan-
tages that have been stated, but will &C
quire also new property worth more
than you gave for it.
We are not left to conjectural estimates
based on speculative views. Let us see
what conclusion is forced upon us by the
resistless logic Of facts. Take the actual
results of leading railroads at the North,
extending from the Atlantic to the West.
From the Railroad Journal, p. 81 VOL 40
Ne,o York Central Railroad aggregate
passengers, 3,6lS,642; tons, l,667,926 !;
receipts, S14, 596,7S6
Neso York and Erie Acknowledgements,
sl3,979,5l4.
Pennsylvania Central Railroad. - Re-
ceipts, SIG, 5S3,SS3.
DULttUtOTo uHu OittO ItUttf OUU 1Sot'
Receipts, $9,442,l73. Receipts are now
much larger-paying eight per cent. upon
it's stock.
The annual gross receipts of either of
the three tirst-named roads exceed the
whole cost of the railroad from Covington
to the Ohio, upon the estimate Of Mr..
Fiske.
Reflect on these things, take sober
and intelligent view Of them, remember
that the acceptance or rejection Of these adj
vantages rests with yourselves. They can
not be and they will not be obtained for
you solely by others. The subscription is
now so far advanced as to render it GER
tain that with your exertions the work will
be accomplished. Without them it is
equally certain that the work must fail.
You are entreated to secure your own
great and permanent interests by one who
is himself PAYER.
A Thief Thrice Hung and Roasted to
Extract u Confession.
From the Chicago Tribune, December g.