Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-03
THE RAILROAD MEETING TO-DAY.

THE RAILROAD MEETING TO-DAY.
To-day an adjourned meeting Of the citizens
OF the District Of Columbia, TO consider the
railroad interests Of the District, was held at
the City Hall. Among those present Were
Hon. Amos Kendall. DIR. J. B. Blake, Col. w
H. Philip, Judge Wright, Mr. Kilbourn, Major
&. 5. Jones, Dir. G. H. Cragin, Of Georgetown;
James Crutchett, s. p. Brown, Alderman,
Clark. A. X. Shepherd, w. q. Mstzerott, r
M. Hall, Lewis Clephane, w. A. King, Henry
Polkinhorn, Michael Nash, Thomas Sutton,
VIM. ID. Wise, VIM. Il. Todd, George Hill, IT.,
of Georgetown; ID. O. Forney. M. q. Emery,
VIM. OIme, ]. E. Norris, Gideon L. Walker
Mich1 Dufey, Judge Gooding, U. 5. Marshal
Col Jas. q. Berret. J. Sayles Brown, aud =
Norment; also, Governor Bartlett, of OHIO.
MIR. j. w. Thompson called the meeting to
order, and in the absence OF the secretary, Mr.
kilbourn was called on TO perform these du.
ties.
Judge Wright moved that Hon. Amos Ken
dali and Mr.. W. w. Corcoran be elected vice
presidents; which was agreed to.
Alter the reading and approval Of the min
utes-
committee, stating thas after several meetings
1t was made with entire upanimity of sem
tIment, and read it as follows:
REPORT.
Your committee have had the matter referred
TO them under consideration, and recommend
that charters for several lines Of railroads be
requested OF Congress: one line TO be known as
the National Railroad North; one as the Ma
tonal Railroad South; one TO run to Point
Lookout, to be known as the National Chesa-
peake Railroad; and one to the nearest eligible
point on the Chesapeake Bay, 10 be kRown as
the National Transportation Company.
The National Railroad North, to intersect
with the Northern Central near York, Penn
sylvania, and the Pennsylvania Central at a
point east oil Harrisburg. This would make q
frst-class road to New York city, (uid Allen
town route,) and to Philadelphia, (ria Pen n
sylyania CENTRALLY 1t will be but a few miles
longer than the present route, (pid Baltimore
and WilmIngton,) and, owing to the fact that 1t
does not pass through Baltimore, or around the
suburbs Of Philadelphia, and will be Tree from
long stretches of dangerous trestle-work, it can
be run in less time, and at less cost. 1t will
also make the best connections with Pittsburg,
Buffalo, the Wess and Northwest. In short, II
would be the trunk-line to the national capital
from allthe Northern and North western States
''The National Railroad South" to connect
with the Loudon and Hampshire and Virginia
Central Railroads, at a point so as to0reach
Cincinnati, Louisville, aud st. Louis BY a
much shorter route than any one now in use
Ii TINS road was opened, the price of farm pro-
ducts would be reduced in our market at lie lst
twenty per cent; and, as both roads cont en-
plated reach the finest coal fields In the world.
their construction would at once reduce the
cost OF tha. article to consumers here. The
Chesapeake route would connect the District
OF Columbia with the Chesapeake Bay at deep
water. reaching the finest oyster beds, and
passing through the most productive coun.ies
OF Maryland.
Tue power of Congress TO build roads. or au
thOrize them built for military or postal
service, cannot now lie for one instant doubt
ed, and we believe II will, without uu-
necessary delay. grant the charters for new
railroad privileges 10 and from the national
capital.
In the charters we propose TO prepare and
present TO Congress, proyis ons VIII De incor.
porated 10 prevent the privileges granted from
pa. sing int D the hands OF monopoiists, or 90 ne
controlled by parties adverse TO the conssruc.
ton OF the roads; but. on the contrary, giving
all an opportunity to participate and r,quiring
The immediate commencement and completion
OF the roads: also, provisions to adopt as part
of the routes any roads now constructed. upon
terms that are just and right.
The committee cannot doubt that Congress
VIII readily grant the required charters, and
have assurances that the necCs sary means will
readily be subscribed for the construction OF
these several lines at an early day.
Every member OF Congress is the representa-
tive OF the ci,izens OF the District of Columola,
and desires 10 promote the interests of the ma
tonal capital, which can be done in manner
well as in opening new and better railroads
To it from ali parts of the Union.
The only railroad to the national capital from
the North and West is the Baltimore aud Ohio
railroad, and such exactions as that rodd has
made on the United S'ltes, and on the people
visiting the capital and for Ireights sent to and
from W WashIEgtOn. is unknown in the history
OF railroads. The Washington branch OF that
road wss built under an act of the Maryland
Legislature OF 1880, and an act Of Congress OF
lc3l; by both of which acts trar sportatIon
freight and passenger rates are limited; bu: the
legal limits are, nevertheless, entirely dIsra-
gardCd by that corporation.
Transportation should be in accordance with
the stipulations of their charter. No power
can legally change the prescribed rates except
the powers that created the charter-Congress
and the Maryland Legislature. Ia 1885 and
1896, the Maryland Legislature sanctioned the
new rate of charges established by the Buti.
more and Ohio Railroad: but the act was OF no
force unless the consent of Congress was also
obtained, tcllch has nerer been done! As
example OF the character of the charges for
ranspOrtaton, we have had our attention
called TO the case of a merchant here, who
shipped hardware from England; the ocean
charges for three thousand mills Were less th IN
the railroad freight and charges IN and from
Baltimore TO Washington, thlrty-nine miles,
Another recent case shows that the charges
from Chicago to Baltimore, on parcel of
freight, (al the way by RAIL- 1cere less than the
charges IN aud from Baltimore TO Washington,
We also find that freIghts are taken from Balti
more 10 points lii Virginia, aud from places in
Virginia 10 Baltimore, passing through Wash
ington, at less rates thal 10 and from Washing
ION!
BY an act of the Maryland Legislature OF
1882, passenger-tare from Baltimore to Wash
ngtOn was fixed al S2.51, of which sum fifty
cents was TO De paid to the State of Maryland
BY the act Of the Legislature of 1885, the fare
was established at - 30; one.fifth of which was
10 go into the Maryland treasury. These
acts were never approved by Congress; yet in
violation Of their charter, the Company bas
fOr thirty SIX years. been uulaWtutIy eXactipg
from the public for the benefit of its own and
the Maryland State treasury. That Congress
ought TO take steps to put an end TO these out.
RACES is the sentiment of our entire community
and We believe il Will be DONE
Early in 1852, the railroad companies in the
North and West held a convention in this city,
and agreed TO carry soldiers for the Govern.
ment at about two cents mile; yet the Bllti.
more and Ohio Railroad refused TO accept that
Compensation, but charged and received full
passen ger fare for all soldiers, no matter how
Transported, and in tIis form collected the
Maryland tax. Every soldier who hastened
TO the national capital to de:c-ld it during the
rebellion was taxed by the Baltimore and OHIO
Railroad, for the State of Maryland, thirty
cents in coming and thirty cents more when b.,
returned home, after being mustered out of
service; and if, In the meantime, he made q
visit to his family, the Maryland tax was sixty
cents for the round trip and the bodies If those
who fell in defence of their country wera
charged double price when Ietlrned I, their
kindred. Every father and mother who came
to the national capital to meet OF seek their
sons in the hospitals were thus taxed The
small tribute levied on our shipping bv ,
foreign State, and which at once commanGed
the interpOsition of our Government was
nothing in comparison to these facts-Den
mark is many thousand miles away from our
national seat of Government. For many weeks
all soldiers on their way to Join the army of
the Potomac were obliged TO pass through the
outskirts of Baltimore to prevent riots and
bloodshed: nevertheless, the State of Marv-
land did not, in any instance, fail to collect the
tax on each. What reason there was To nav
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad higher fsrs
than any other road it Is not our duty tn in
outra. ~ oould ha va afforded tn carrv