Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-04

our neighbors OF Fairfax and Loudoun Will be
benefited, if branch or branches be made
with these cities, but to my mind it Is ques-
tionabe whether any material increase OF reve-
nue. will follow. Let us still take the enlarged
view proposed by the originators Of this scheme,
and | hope our neighbors Of the counties,
which now partially receive large benefits from
our road, may be willing to postpone for sea
son, ard for season only, their immediate IN
terests, that our friends of Jefferson, Clarke
Frederick and Hampshire may the earlier par
ticipate in the benefits to flow from the CON-
pletion of this grand enterprise. The full tru-
ition of the hopes of Fairfax and Loudoun can
only be obtained for their people, by the COM
nletion of the whole line. When that is ac-
complshed, they will have great railroad ar
tery passing through their borders and dis
pensing the blessing Of cheap fuel almost at
their doors Georgetown and Washington
have not contributed one dollar in aid Of the
road for the short distance which has been
reached, and it is generally understood they do
not propose any further contributions than SUI
fcient to construct their branch or branches,
and they count upon the expected advantages
to Fairfax and Loudoun to induce the stock
holders in these counties to aid them in urging
forward the company to content itself with this
alone. Is this an adequate contribution from
these cities, for the enormous advantages which
will result to them from the business and trade
which it will bring them? | think not; and l
am also of opinion that the completion of the
road through the remaining counties will ben
eft them as largely as any other party inter
ested in its full completion With this view,
and to insure aid, without which our great
work must linger and drag its slow length
along, [ wish the people of the District to
know that they must come to the rescue and
give substantial aid to push the road on to the
coal fields. When capitalists shall see that
District cities are so far sensible OF the lmpor-
lance Of the road as to make a liberal subscrlp-
ton to its stock, they may be willing to furnish
sufficient money to carry it through to Its ter
minus, and may then look to the company s
bonds as sufficient security upon which they
may rely tor an advance Of their money. Will
not the passage of these resolutions act as a
stimulant to the people Of the District? When
they see that We demand Of them aid for the
main stem, and that unless this aid is furnish
ed, their connection cannot be made, will they
not more readily appreciate the advantages OF
the connection? That which is cheapIy offered
is as a general rule lightly esteemed. All great
benefits must be earned, and they are general
ly valued the more, when they arc earned at
some considerable cost.
Mr.. Mckenzie said that he did not know
whether Georgetown intended doing anything
or not lie denied that he was opposed to a
connection with that place, rs had been report
ed, and asserted that terms Of the most liberal
character had been offered her, but that very
shilly shally policy had been pursued by her
corporate authorities. The Directory were
willing that equal rates should be charged, but
he was opposed TO any discrimination against
Alexandria. IfGeorgetown would not do what
is right he was in favor of making a connection
with Washington, but under no circumstances
would he cut of Alexandria from any advan-
tages. He denied that Georgetown had any
authority to make subscription to the road,
and said that no bill had passed Congress giving
them any such right; it was the railroad COM
pany that had the right to make the branch !;
but he did not believe that Georgetown intend
ed to subscribe anything to the road, and IN
that event he was opposed to having anything
further to do with her. The routes that were
feasible for the proposed branch were rejected
by Georgetown, while others of q grade that
would not suit, and would operate to the detri-
ment of Alexandria, had been surveyed; IN
this connection he read communication from
Mr.. Blythe to the engineer appointed by the
Georgetown authorities, in reference to pro-
posed impractcable route over the Aqueduct
by Major Nuts farm. Mr.. Mex. said he was
tired of fooing with Georgetown, and if she
persisted in her present policy, he was IN favor
of suspending negotiations.
Mr.. Miller wanted to let Georgetown know
that if she don't aid in the construction OF the
road westward she should have no connection
Fairfax and Loudoun he was sure would put up
with little disadvantage for the present,
rather than have road built for the interest OF
Georgetown alone, while the main line was left
to suffer-
Mr.. C. f. Lee stated that that the proposition
made to Georgetown ten years ago to subscribe
500, 0G0 was very different from what 1t would
be now; at that time that amount would have
drawn from the State 100000, which would
have gone towards the construction Of the road
Westward that was now out of the question.
He seconded the views expressed by Mr.. Miller.
Mr. Miller said that subscription of halt
million now, by Washington and Georgetown,
would strengthen the hands of the Directory,
and enable them to prosecute the work on the
main stem in addition to building the branch.
Mr. MERCER, Of Loudoun, expressed perfect