Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-04-27
Baltimore Reaches for Virginia Trade.

The regular monthly meeting of the Board
of Directors of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road Company took place on Wednesday the
14th inst, at Camden Station-J. w. Car
ratt, Esq, President in the chair, who refer
red rs follows to the Virginia Valley and
Lynchburg aud Danville railways:
''There are two subjects in connection with
railway improvements of vital importance to
this community which will be presented at an
early day in manner that will attract public
attention. The aid of the Baltimore and
Ohio Company to the Winchester and Strauss
burg road will effect the opening of the line
to Harrisonburg during the next autumn
There will then be a gap OF but 113 miles
from Harrisonburg to Salem, the construction
of which will not only open the business Of
the magnificent Valley of Virginia but also
open under the most favorable auspices and
Influences great line to New Orleans, which
will largely command the traffic of the vast
intermediate territory. a second gap If but
sixty miles exists between Lynchburg and
Danvillc, the filing of which will connect
the Orange and Alexandria road with another
highly important system of railways, by
which an enormous business will necessarily
be directed to Baltimore which now goes to
the coast. The leading citizens in these Sec
tons are extremely anxious to get these roads
constructed. They want, in view of the ad
vantagcs to their regions, enlarged CONNER
cjul intercourse with Baltimore. They are
willing to contribute largely for the work
themselves. The counties upon the Valley
line propose to subscribe 81 200 600. They
propose to ask the city OF Baltimore to sub
scribe million to theirAstock. The Lyuch-
burg aud DaDville interets propose to supply
all that will be requjsitai but half a million.
This sum they wish toi obtain from the city
OF Baltimore. Under these circumstances
large delegations Of The most eminent citi-
zcns in Virginia. -Mcssrs. Hartman, Barbour,
Stuart, Baldwin, Pcndleton, General Robert
C. Lee, and others of equal prominence and
inhueuce-it is expected will visit Baltimore
about the 2lst Of this month to confer with
the authorities and citizens of Baltimore. 1t
will be seen, as a mere railroad question, that
the Baltimore and Ohio Company has but
little interest in these extensions, whilst in
ca'cuiable benefit would result from their con-
structjDn to the business interests Of B2Iti-
more. IS this company is now engaged in
enterprises for the prosecution Of which all
its resources arc required, those connected
N4Lii II Can iiCI 40 'iACliS 'ttI'A
to secure the requisite capital. 1t Ifas been
found heretofore impossible to obtain the large
sums necessary for such works from individ-
uals. Therefore the 0nIy practicable plan
appears to be for the city to render the ne
ccssary assistance. It is the Judgment Of
many who have carefully considered the SUBJ
iect that if the city Of Baltimore can. by sub
scribing 81 600, ,0U0 to the Valley line and
$500 600 to the Lynchburg and Danvilie line,
secure their construction, and thus open these
direct and first class avenues to Baltimore, this
community will absolutely gain in advantages
and net profits of the vast business that will be
thus commanded not less than the aggregate
amount ($i 500 .0O0) in each and every year
after their completion. In that judgment the
Chair fully cODcurs. It is stated that three
hundred delegates will visit Baltimore. If,
when those gentlemen arrive. full cO-opcra~
ton is extended, and the facts and interests
connected with these great subjects be pre-
sented and understood in the community
and in the City Council, aud aid be granted,
it will undoubtedly lead to results in the COM
merciaI progress of baltimore as important
and valuable, in connection with the southern
trade, as the developments and extensions of
the Baltimore and Ohio road are bringin z
about with the trade Of the West Northwest,
Gnd the Southwest. The Chair feels that the
Importance and magnitude of the interests in
vovcd in these enterprises cannot be too
earnestly urged.