The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-05-16
Wheeling and Foledo Railroad
MHEE11Ne. May Is. 1865.

Inc undersigned, VINO were appoint
ed Committee by the Convention held
in this city on the-12th day OF March
last, to superintsnd the interests Of a
proposed railroad between Wheeling
and Toledo, with a view:on the part
of the said Convention of agitRting the
project amongthe people and ascertain
ing public sentiment in regard to the
matter, and, also, If possible, to tenlist
the attention and Interest of capital in
the work to be done, held meeting at
the rooms of the Wheeling Library As
ISOLATION to-day, and adopted the fol-
lowing resolution-viz:- m
WHEREAS, It is apparent to US from
our correspondence, and our personal
Inquiries and observations, both at
home and abroad, that nothing justify
ing further effort is likely to be ao-
0omplished for the present In behalf OF
the Wheeling and Toledo Railroad pro
ject, therefore,
ReSoLVed, That under these circum-
stances, we deem II due ourselves as
Committee, and those who appoint
ed us as such, and also the friends
generally of the enterprise, to issue
this circular for public Information,
and to express to our constituents the
opinion that we entertain that it is USE
less for us to continue any longer our
organization as Committee.
we have had correspondence with
Toledo and Baltimore with ayiew OF
ascertaining what might be expect
ed from those points in aid of the con-
templated enterprise, and the replies
received have not been such as TO JUS
tify any expectation OF assistance from
either city. The Committee realized
10 F;eak hnf TNyffhnnt tho hnln nf
Baltimore, or the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad, or, in lieu thereof, liberal
subscriptions on the part of Wheeling,
Toledo, and other localities, no reason
able hopes of success could be enter
tanned, and they now feel bound to re.
port that thus far they have perceived
but very slight indications OF the neces-
sary peCuniary interest in the UNDER
taking at any principal point.
While the importance OF the road, II
built, is generally conceded, here and
elsewhere, yet no considerable dispo-
sItion seems to exist to invest in it as
an experiment at this time. We con-
cIude, therefore, that If anything Is to
be accomplished at present or any
time soon, IL must be mainly initiated
by the people who live along or ada
cent to the line of the proposed road.
Were they as individuals, or as towns
and counties, to subscribe sufficient
means to start the work, say enough to
grade and bridge the road, 1t is possible
that it's mortgage bonds might then be
negotiated for an amount sufficient TO
lay the rails aud furnish the necessary
rolling stock.
That the line, in whole or part, will
some day be built seems reasonable.
The present is not the first effort in
that direction. Many years ago the route
was partially surveyed, aud we are in
formed that it has been characterized
by high authority as the best unoccu-
pied territory in Ohio for railroad.
TO the people of the Tuscarawas Val
lev its success would seem to be mat
ter OF special moment, considering
their agricultural, mineral and miscel-
laneous resources and their compare
lively limited facilities thus far for
making the same properly available.
Sooner or later they must seek connec-
ton with the Ohio river and the Baltl-
more 81 Ohio Railroad at or near this
point. The city of Baltimore IS now
attracting attention to herself, both in
this country and in Europe, as the
rising commercial rival of Now York
on the Atlantic sea coast. Short and
easy communication with her must, il
seems to us, become more and more a
question with all parts of the West.
The Baltimoreand0 Ohio road is perfect
ing such principal connecting lines from
Pittsburgh westward, and from Gin
cinnati West and Northwestward, and
through Virginia, South and South
westward, that lateral and subordinate
lines as feeders to these main connec-
lions must be built as a matter OF
course.
While therefore the committee do not
feel encouraged for the present during
the excited and distracted condition OF
the popular mind in regard to fnan-
cial and political matters, in making
further efforts or even in retaining
their formal organization as COM
mittee, they nevertheless venture tC
recommend to the people concerned on
both sides of the Ohio river TO keep the
ultimate building of this important
line of trade and travel in prominent
view. The recent agjtations of the pro-
ject have interested and informed the
public mind, and this sort of prelimi.
nary education was necessary as 8
condition. precedent to that final sue
cess which we trust awaits the move
mental an early day.
All of which is respectfully sub
mitted.