The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-05-27
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION THE WEST &
VIRGINIA..


CHEAP TRANSFORMATIONS THE WEST &
VIRGINIA.
The Missouri Republican, says the Rich.
mond Wing, considers the subject Of cheap
in connection With the interests
of the great West. Il says the West has
become the granary Of the country, and the
problem to be solved by producer and con-
sxmer is the best practical mode for moving
the products Of the interior to the markets
along the Atlantic border, and thepce to
those across the ocean. Without cheap
transportation in vain will population throng
our late Western wilds-ip vain will be the
labor that is applied to their fertile so'l-ln
vain the vast production it SO generously
yields. When transportation is so high as
to absorb all the profits Of production, or
to leave profits SO inadequate as that they will
cease to be an object, the time will have arriy
cd when labor, capital and enterprise will be
directed to other pursuits
But transportation must not only be sufi-
Gently cheap--it must also be by short, safe
and convenient routes Rates Of transporta-
ton may be reasonably low, but if on routes
that are insecure or liable to distractions and
delays-in the one case jeoparding the thing
transported, and in the other preventing the
shipper from realizing his Proceeds-it is all
the same in effect as if the rates Of transpoa-
tion were high.
While that able aud useful journal, the St
Louis Republican, and other Western news
papers, are considering this subject and can
vasslng the merits OF the various projects de-
signed to meet the wants Of Western produ
GERS ard shippers, we take the liberty Of call
ing their attention to our Virginia trade
outes-the one water line, the other thu
extension Of the Virginia Central railroad
Here are two routes that promise to the West
eyn people all the advantages and tacilitie
they are seeking transportation at onc'
cheap, rapid, safe and convenient, and fire.
from Instructions and delays, such as occu
from ice in more northern attitudes, and from
the injury sustained by some products from
tropical transportation.
There can be no doubt that the Virgini
Central roaa, when extended to the Ohio
will offer a cheaper, shorter and a safe
ro,,to opd r., h,ff,r CO., X,or4 H.,
road project nov in existence. The Repuy
lican complains of the disposition amor
railroad managers to take advantage of tn
producing class, and quotes the following re
mark Scarcely is tie laid on new raj
way before the extorting tendency begins t
manifest ITSELF" Should the line we ofe
manifest the same disposition, when comple
ted, as we do not think it would, it could al
ford to charge much LOVER rates than othe
competing lines terminating at another sea
board, by reason of its own ability to operat
chsaply, being shorter, and haying less cul
vature and better grades. 1t would thus b
enabled to outstrip all present competition.
But, says the Republican, quoting frol
some publication on the subject Of transpo,
tation Let the canals be created, let the,
"be honestly managed, lei there be fair pro
it paid for the trouble and cost Of transpo
tation," &c.
Well, if canals are preferable, then "
have such Water-line to offer-our Jane
River and Kanawha Canal, projected by Ger
eral WASHINGTON, with the view of connec
ing the Western waters with our Virgin
seaboard
While the Western people are looking fe
cheap, direct and safe routes Of trade an
travel, they viii commit grievous error
they overlook those offered them by Virgin;
and we will commit as great an oversight
we fail to press them upon the attention {
! the Western people. We have the yer
routes called for by the Missouri RepuJl,ca
for carrying "the products of the interior t
the markets along the Atlantic border, an
thence to these across the ocean"
.