Evening star., 1869-12-27
Reading Matter on Every Page.
Tie Washington and Alexandria
Railroad and the London and Ham D.
shire Railroad.

Two or three DAYS ago we quoted from the
Washington correspondence of the Baltimore
Gazette statement that Hon. Lewis Mckenzie,
''who has been so active in trying to obtain
subscription of a million of dollars from our
citizens towards the completion OF his railroad
to Cincinnati has advocated the imposition of
tax per capita on all passengers coming over that
road who come TO Washington by the Washing
ton and Alexandria road on the ground that the
latter road takes trade away from Alexandria
and brings IL to Washington" To this quota
tiOn we appended the enquiry "what has Mr.
Mckenzie to say to this?" and in answer have
received the following from that gentleman:
Editor FrSniHg Star had seen what the cor
respondent of the Baltimore G1zett. had said
about me, bat such is nay drersiOn 10 appe1ring is
The papers. 4 thought could stand y, and had
aeGrmlned to let IT pass, till saw your post
made no such statement In the City Council
or any where else. As a member of the City
Council had voted TO give the Washington,
Alexandria & GeOrgetown n road the free right OF
way into St Asaph street, and would hardly
now consent to lay passenger tax on that road.
Council. expressly stated did not believe the
road could be taxed, and the resolution was re-
ferred to the Committee of General Laws to
ascertain whether We had any such right
Incidentally and playfully talking about night
trains, said, 1 Thought when night came,
people, would be better at their homes il they
nau any to 20 10, tnan running 10 washington to
theaters and operas. think so, still.
About the subscription to the Alexandria
Loudon and Hampshire road, thought it would
be great thing for the Capital of the nation TO
have road coming into the western part of the
city from the Great West, doing away with the
constant complaint of want of facilities in reach
ing Washington am not importuning or beg
ging anything; neither dO / intend to. Ii we
can, with the cooperation of Washington, make
road to the Ohio river shorter by 20, so or %
miles than any other route, apprehend il will
be of immense advantage TO Washington more
tnan 10 Alexandria, besides opening up the
richest mineral regions of Virginia, by a COM
paratlVely easy route Time will determine
~Eether they avail OF the opportunity pre-.
sented- LEWIS MCKrS1p
Dec. q, 1sc9.
We agree with Mr.. Mckenzie rs to the irnnor
tance to Washington of this shorter route 10 Tn.
Ohio and direct line to the Hampshire coal
helds, II the road can come direct to the west
ern part of the city, }" but do not see how il will
greatly benefit Us, or be of 80 more ADVANTAGE IN
Washington than Alexandria, - III its main stem
Is 70 continue on as now to Alexandra. with
only an elbow switch for Washington at Four
Mile Run, and with the depots, machine shons
anu headquarters of the read in Alexandra.
Our community is alive TO the need for Jn,re
railroad facilities, and is ready to meet MIR.
mckenzie for square business-like arranra-
ment that viii afford proper guarantees that
our money shall be expended really for the ben
cit OF this city. We do not expect to get indem-
MY lor the past a. G, the money given without
heh, anu TO our positive DISADVANTAGE. To the
Washington and Alexandria road.O but ougbt at
least TO have an eye to ssecurity for tn. In
tune" ~