Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-05
Our exchanges in MARYLAND, YIrginia. and

Our exchanges in Maryland, Virginia. and
this District are all agOC over railroad matters
and we trust that something tangible will come
from so much discussion, aad the ventilation
of so many projects Alex. A. A. Stuart. of
Virginia, Is out In letter setting forth the
merits Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad
enterprise, and pointing out The special interest
this city has in its completion. In view of the
recent statement OF Senator Sherm4n that If
more adequate railroad COMMUNICATIONS are
not furnished TO Washington the seat of Gov
eminent Will b. speedily removed 10 some more
accessible point
The lille known as the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway (frou Richmond 10 the ONO river)
was projected some years ago, but has been in
terrupted BY the war and other causes This
line was designed TO extend from Richmond To
point In the kanawha valley near Charles
ton, where IL would brsrch, aud one line sx-
tend 10 the mouth Of the Kauswha, and the
other TO the mouth of Sandy river. The nrs,
OF these branches was intended TO connect th.
mah stem VIII the system of Ohio roads ives,
0i ths llNer, aud the other 70 effect a similar
connection with the kentucky system OF roads
east OF the Ohio.
Ihe main stem has been constructed and il
now IN successful operation from Richmond
10 CoNlneton- In Allegheny county, n distance
OF ~ miles Another section of about - miles
west OF Covlngton, and extending 10 the White
sulphur Springs, is now under contract and
Inc larger portion OF the heavy work, including
the tunnel through the Allegheny, has been
executed and the contracts require the work 10
b completed 10 the White Sulphur by the LIST
Of July. l>6a. A good deal of work has also
been done west OF the White Sulphur and
new company has recently been organIzed
under the joint auspices of Virginia and
west Virginia 70 complete the entire work
according 10 the original design. as above
stated, within three years As Mr.
Stuart points OFT the general direction
OF this road approximatss an air line from
Richmond and Washington to the central por-
lion OF onio- and thence 10 81. Louis. This
route Is, therefore, the shortest between the
East and West. But this is not the ONLY ad.
vantage which il enjoys over its competitors.
The survey develops the remarkable fact that
IN passing eastwardly from the ONO 10 the
summit line on the Allegheny, (the direction
IN which the heavy freights would moveJ the
maximum grade 29s feet TO the mile When
THIS grade - compared with the elevation of
lilo feet per mile, which the Baltimore and
Ohio road has 70 encounter, the advantages of
the Virginia route Will be readily understood
Ii must also Be remembered thai the Virginia
road passes through a country Astounding in
elements Of wealth. from the Blue Ridge 10 the
ONO The mineral springs will annually at
tract thousands OF passengers from the Allan.
TIC cities and from the Valley OF the Mlssissip-
pi. The coal fields, iron mine :, salt wells.
and forests Will supply almost unlimited
freight from every station, aud thus swell the
profits OF the profits OF the stockholders and
give activity 10 business. And 10 crown all the
Climate along the entire line perfectly health
ful IN summer and autumn and so mild In
winter as 10 remove ali apprehens ION Of serious
distractions by snow or Ice.
Mr.. Stuart urges that the first step on the
part of TIE people of Washington and the IVES,
should be to push the main line OF the Chesa
Teake and Ohio road through TO its Western
ierminus at the mouth OF the Kanawna aud
the mouth of Big Sandy. After this shall have
been done. and the current OF trade and traye
turned in this channel, they can complete the
auxiliary improvements by supplying the de-
hclent link between Harrisonburg and Siam
ton, and If they choose, py q short, direct road
from Washington, 10 intersect the Manassas
road near the mountain, and thus avoid the In.
creased distance of the route by Alexandra
When these roads are completed, Washington
Will no longer De liable 10 the reproach of in
accessibility from the West. Her avenues will
be open 70 all the Western and Northern States
and she will Be in direct communication with
the eastern terminus Of the trans-continen,al
Francisco And when the connecting links
between Louisville and the Virginia ana Ten
nesse railroad. by way of Cumberland Gap,
shall have been completed, Washington will
have unbroken lines of communication with
the Southwest, and all its ramified systems OF
railroads and MYERS. Then. instead Of being
isolated and cut of from the remote parts OF
the continent. the Federal Metropolis will b.
the centre Of converging roads, and more &C.
cessIble from The South, Southwest and Wet
than any other Eastern city.
The remaining point 10 be considered Is, how
can these lines of communication be secured
In Mr.. Stuart's opinion IL would be but fair
Tor the National Government, in view Of the
nsuOnal importance of the Chesapeake and
Ohio road, 10 extend 10 it substantial assistance.
and he suggests that 1t could be done simply DIV
a loan of Its credit The Chesspeake and Ohio
road has already expended some six or eight
mllllcns OF dollars IN the prosecution OF the
work. II the United States Government Will
now Indorse Its bonds to the extent of ten mil
lions OF dollars, payable in thirty years, and
take mortgage on the whole work TO indarn
nIiy Itself, the whole road can a. once De put
under contract, and completed within two
years The only difficulty will be in regard to
the payment OF interest on the bonds while the
work Is In progress. After the work is done
pany TO pay the interest, and ultimately redeem
The principal. Here the city of Washington, be
says, might render Efficient suryice by As
Stunning or guaranteeing the interest for three
years, by which time II Is TO be presumed the
road Will be in active and successful operation.
The idea here suggested by Mr.. Stuart q,
guaranteeing the interest has been successfully
carried out in France, but 1t has there taken
the shape, we believe, of guarantee of in.
terest by the Government upon a general rail.
way system for the country. That is 10 saw.
CHARTER was granted 10 a company 10 build q
Ae'"ork OF railroads over the country, greatly
increasing the railroad facilities OF France. ana
the Government guaranteed the payment of a
certain interest on the bonds but the earnings
Oi he roads proved ample for the payment OF
the interest, and we believe the Goyernmsn,
was never called upon to pay a penny.
his city and District can very properIv Ia
called upon to aid to the utmost an entarnr,sa
OF such vital importance to Us, by suarants.,rr
portion OF the interest or otheryis,. bn, Drs
think II will be building on sand TO exnect tbs,
Government will afford any money ala in 40.
construction. This idea had better h. ais
missed IN the start, as il will only give rise 70
false hopes, ana expectations that can never Ia
realized. All that We expect from Congress is