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


don county, Va, but formerly of this District,
| has written letter TO Mr.. Wm. NJ. DUNCAN in
| reference to railroad matters, in which he
| says:
| Little observation is needed TO convince
| any one that the country immedI lately border
| ing upon Washington and Georgetown does
| not fully supply the demand OF their inhabi-
| tants, and VIII, in few years, prove tOtaily y
| inadequate TO meet the wants Of the largeiy v
| increased population which will be Ieckoued
| AT no distant day. 1t rs VIGOROUSLY thu fact
| that PROVISIONS are dearer in the District of
| COlumbia, and its markets worse supplied,
than is the case elsewhere in the country
| where the same attractions are presented; and,
| while its water power is claimed to ba greater
| than that possessed by Lowell, the compara-
| lively few mills already in existence are not
| run TO nearly their capacity, because of the
| scarcity of grain.
| The position of affairs in this regard grows
| worse as time advances. The endea vors of the
| wealthy and enterprising business community
| of Baltimore to grasp the entire trade of Mary
| land, and of the best portion of Virginia and
| the West, backed by the powerful corporation,
| the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company,
| and the sagacity OF its president, unless ener-
| getic conteracting efforts shall be put forth.
Will speedily terminate in the utter destruction
| of the business interests of the District of Co.
| lumbia. lts trade already langnishes to a
degree painful for any one 10 contemplate who
! feels Keen interest IN its growth and pros
| perity.
| How is this situation to be improved BaIti-
| more, II must be admitted, will continue to
| ain MARYLAND, and is seeking TO secure the
| trade of Northern Virginia The remedy Is
| this: Cross the Potomac, aud through means of
| railway connections gather in the wheat, corn,
| live stock, and productions of less magnitude
| which the counties OF London, Fauquier,
| Clarke. Jefferson, Berkeley, Frederick. Page,
| Shenandoah, Rockingham. and Augusta would
! delight TO pour III upon you According to the
exhibit OF the last census these counties con-
| tam 1.i25, 1863 acres OF land, improved in
farms" which produce annually 1.e3i.7-6
bushes of wheat ana i,629, ,397 bus hels OF corn
The value OF live stock is given at S7,fI5,74.
| 1t is scarcely worth while to mention The char-
| great staples. / will, however, add the Item of
| butter, 23-j,leI pounds. In the article OF
" heat they produce largely over double the
| quantity raised in all lhe New Eagland States.
Their consumption of dry goods, groceries,
&c, is no less TO be taken inte consideration.
To enable the District of Columbia to COM
| pete with Baltimore tor the trade of these
countps, connection should ne had, first with
| toe Alexandra, Loudor, and Hampshire Rail
road, to secure what the northern part of this
aud the counties a. the northern terminus OF
ihe valley are capable of fur ishine: and, sec.
ondIy, with the Manassas Gap Railroad, to
communicate with the central and southern
counties in my opinion the course to b. taken,
after connecting with the first named road, is
from FaIIiweli or Guiford stations, on said
road, TO Aide. and through the gap there, fol-
lowing The course Of Little river a tributary OF
Goose Greek. to the plains, in Fauquier coun-
~, on the Manassas Gap road. The cost OF
constructing such road would be compar-
atively little, as, from the points named on the
ALEXANDRIA. Loudon and Hampshire road. the
country is gently undulsting TO Aldle, and be.
yond the river opens way through the hills,
WheTe an easy grade may o. Obanpd, with no
streams OF moment to cross on the whole route
The Manassas Gan railroad will, when flu
ished, connect with the Chesapeake and Ohio
road at Stanton.
Although the distan ce to be Travelled to reach
the Federal cspitaI from the West would be
greater than by The route proposed through
Thornton's Gap. yet the al an tage of commu.
~
such exceeding beauty and fertility of soil, and
the saving in the cost of csnstl uction, will
counter balance any which the more direct
route to the Chesapeake and Ohio road can
Offer.
Mr.. Garrett is pushing forward the branch
OF his road designed to connect with the Ma.
nassas road at Strasburg; but that place Will
be con sideraby nearer the District of Columbia
by my proposed road than Baltimore will De
by the BALTIMORE and Ohio road. The grade on
the latter road is heavy from Harpers Ferry to
Baltimore; whereas from Stras burg to the Dis
trict OF Colnmbi the grade will De a very easy
one, enabling the road to carry a Larger amount
OF freight with given power.
Acting upon my suggestion, Georgetown
is eavoring to form a connection at a dies r-
able point with the Alexandra, Loudon, ana
hampshire railroad, and procure authority
for the extension to Aide, with the view to
reach eventually the Manassas Gap road
win the assistance OF Washington this can be
accom- plIshed at au early day, and before q
legislature will probably be convened at
Richmond and take action to deprive these
reads Of he power to make such branches
Less than sl;no;oOo-Probably S7OO,ooO-will
the dement's OF these roads, the construction Of
which has cost millions Of dollars already
and when completed will have cost many mil.
lions more. The amount which the two cities
would be called upon to exp xpeAd would not be
felt, SO quickly would H. be returned in the
shape Of increased business prosperity and
enhanced valued ofrcal estate, and CONSEQUENT
increased incomes to both Corporation -
500 REwARD.-See advertisement Of pocket.
book lost.
FOREIGN NEWS BY CABLs-The London
journals Of yesterday comment edi,orially ou
telegraphic synOpsis of President Johuson's
message and the manner Of ifs reception bv the
United States Senate The ttnly News thinks
there is no hope for peace u. tins country until
The Standard deprecates the refusal Of the San.
ate to listen to the message. and pronounces
such action disrespectfu the Executive
to every one interested in American sffaIrs soa
that it is the warning protest OF . statesman
politically dying.
The election of Speaker in the English Hor..
Of Commons was confirmed yesterday by The
Crown. mo
The Paris Gaulois says the insurrec,iop =,
Cadiz is instigatd by agents Of Isabella.
During discussion in the Prussian Diet ve.
terday, Bismarck said that the fears Of Var
which were prevalent during the summer have
The Turkish troops have captured a s,ro,-
position in Sphakia, and q quantity Of provr
ions and war material intended for the Cretans.
In conspq aence of these nd vantases eainsS -
the Turks the insurrection 10 reported to \.
dying out
~ Five expeditions to the Arctic region. ~.
row in preparations in various parts Of the
world.
~A modest and well.dresssed yourp wo.
man lately entered q Justices once in O6ic"so
and requested that the oath Of total abstinsncs
be administered to her; she had Iowa for IN
to1icatipg liquor which she could not sundns
and wished to "swear on" entirely. The oaih
~A condsmnsd murderer named thr,v.u
attempted to Gu, hts threat win ms tohsccn
boz last Tbupd y, in his cell in the ROM IN
W iail He was stroned at the tina .rS ~ ~
euceeeded IN making slight scratch. HAL
ief irons were placed upon him.