Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-03

ana PAID by tue Cnlte0 states, ana tna people
visiting the national capital, Is almost beyond
belief; and our object in making these state.
ments is 10 exhibit the character of the Balti-
more and Ohio Railroad management, which
has for the third of a century monopolized the
conveyance OF passengers from the North aud
West TO and from the nationsl capital; a corpo-
ration which pays ne taxes within the District
OF Columbia; and which has heretofore sue
csssfully exertsd its influence TO the proven =
ton of new lines of communication with the
national seat of Government We trust mem
bers OF Congress will understand the managers
OF the Baltimore ard Ohio Railroad Company,
when they appear IN Congress to oppose the
granting of charters for other roads which the
public necessity demands, and which will
interfere with their monopoly.
The Baltimore aud Ohio Railroad Company
refuse to sell tickets or check baggage over the
Northern Central or any western road, or to
permit any road 10 do so over their Washing
ton Branch. This compeIs all passengers 10
or from the North and Northwest to have their
baggage drayed through Baltimore aud re-
gage-sn ashers and other character for which
that city is noied. That company emblazon
these facts by their bill now posted in this city,
sating that the only route over which through
tickets can be purchased and baggage CHECKED
to the West aud North, is the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad.
One Of the Baltimore papers ridicuIes the
idea of there being any money in Washington
with which to build railroads. Considering
the tribute we are and long have been paying
to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, il is, per-
hsps, surprising to Baltimorelns that we
should claim some means within our own
right not wholly absorbed by their outrage Gus
exactioDs.
If the authority granted to build these
roads, we will try aud find the means without
toe aid Of the Baltimore and Ohio Ra,lread
We do not even ask to have refunded the mil
lions unlawfu1ly taken from us.
In conclusion, we have to say, that if the
Blltimore and Ohio Railroad would carry
freight and passengers as req uired by its char
ter; il it would connect with the Northern Cen.
n Of
ness and fairness; If the Point of Rocks Road
and the Baltimore and Potomac were finished,
still we would demand the privilege to build
other roads. They are necessity. The lines
we propose would give outlets north, south.
east, and wsst, and they can BE- built. Their
construction would make the District of Co.
lumba a commercial and manufacturing me.
tropolis, which already has. within the past
five years, doubled its population; and which,
we confidently expect, in view of the pro.
Jected and contemplated improvements, will
In few years contain population Of half
million.
Your committee are Of the opinion that the
progress and development OF the important
interests OF the District of Columbia are in the
hands of its citizens. If we act with energy
and unity of purpose, the most sanguine eX-
pecfatops OF the founders of the national capI-
tai will be realized.
Respectfully submitted.
lSgned by the Committee.
AT the conclusion of the reading of the re-
port there was loud and continued applause
Mr.. H. b. Philbrook moved the adoptien of
the report.
Judge Wright said that he, with AIr. SIAN.
ton, had examined with some degree OF care
that law in reference to the Baltimore road.
II would puzzle lawyer. He referred to the
acts OF the Maryland Legislature and said
that the consent of Congress was necessary to
make any change, but it had not been regarded
BY the law of Congress they Were Obliged to
carry passengers four miles for Tx cents per
mile. The Baltimore and Ohio road could
carry freights as cheap as any road, but We:
their rates were higher than any other road
Boston could send her apples to Baltimore by
steamship for twenty five cents per barrel, and
COS; SI.2j. He had been in the Departments to
know what this railroad company got and ali
except one TO whom he applied received him
with growL He had seen one bill for SSCa GD
for carrying troops at cents per mile, while
other roads carried troops at 2 cents. He did
not believe that the child was born who would
see the Point OF Rocks road completed. He had
visited First street to see their preparations
and be saw that the work could have been done
more easily. He believed their object was 10
commence in such way TO cause q row
with Mayor Bowen and the Corporation, and
so be able 10 say that they had stopped it, He
did not believe in the promises Of tue road bur
he knew that they should have competition
Major b. Il. French stated that he was no,
prepared 10 discuss the matter; and he hoped
this movement would not end as did the Metro
poiItan IN which he had entered. He did not
believe that Senator Sherman had made tae
remark attributed TO him that the permauency
OF the CAPITAL depended on the road. ANY one
could see the ne ,esslty OF railroads. and he
hoped that all OF those which are proposed
would be built.
Hon. T. p. Stanton said that what was
wanted was railroads anu good ones 1t was
discreditable for the Capital to have but one
road 10 connect with the great West. He
thought there was no necessity of talking but
action is necessary, and they should go TO
Congress which he believed had the authority
10 au horlZe the construction OF roads. Con.
gress would not give authority &c make un-
necessary and unimportant roads, but would
give authority to build those which are neces.
sary, and capital would be shrewd enough TO
invest in practicable aud advantageous roads
Hon. Robert J. Walker said that he did moi
feel able to speak but he felt an interest in
whatever would ad vance the interests of the
city. He had lived here some wears and be
bad never let an opportunity pass without
advancing the interests of the city. About
a third OF a century ago he was in the Senate
and was appointed vn the Committee on the
District. He alluded TO the spirit in favor OF
the Improvement Of this, the capital OF the ma
tion, the great sectional question having been
settled. There was a general interest towards
the Improvement of the capital. The legisIa-
tion of Congress for the District was of a local
nature, but il might be made more general III
future. He believed that Congress-under the
postal power, and the power to regulate COM
merce-had the right 10 authorize the construc-
ton of railroads. This power had been repeat.
e0ly asserted under nearly every adm ipistra.
ton. The time had come when the citizens
should call on Congress to exercise this great
power. IApplaus-.l Railroads may double
duu Tue rates Ol UOli, ana TACT
hibit commerce, and Congress should be ciIIs0
To prevent any road discriminating against apy
portion Of the Union. [Applause.l
Hon. Amos Kendall said that when he was al
n" head Of one of the Departments, in IS32, he
offered b 4 q. X. r. SI2 900 per year to carry two
daily mails. They then charged - 80 per pas
senger, and he offer, q party l2,UG0 to nut six
passenger coaches on the road and take pas-
seDgers at Sl.50. and the railroad stood this
competition tor three months, and then agreni
10 take the amount rendered for carrying the
mail. He proceeded TO denounce the free pass
system.
Rev. DIR. Gillette followed, referring to the
fact that there was but one railroad North and
West, saying that il was the difficulty OF get
ting into the capital which had kept back the
prosperity Of the city. He had seen the small
towns OF five to six thousand With as many
railroads. Many foreigners had expressed
surprise that moneyed men had not Ir vested in
roads, and he hoped thst the work, having been
started, would go on.
Ex.Mayor Berrett said that his friend Mr.
Walker had spoken his sentiments. In every
direction railroads were approaching us ana it
was for us to bring them into our borders II
we did not hold out helping hand We would
not have the right ~ expect benefits. The
State of Maryland had projected two roads;
the Point Lookout, and the Potomac, and on
the other side was the Loudon and Hamp shire
which should be brought in here. Railroads
sought their interests. why have we but one
road. Have we attempted to bring in any
road. Have We done anything. He referred
to the origin Of the Baltimore and Ohio rail u
p,aA lH0 NJ fa hox xv.u~