Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-05-11
Valley Railroad Delegation.

Of Baltimore-the formal presentation by Gen.
Lee Of their memorial asking S1,0OO,OoO to aid
in the construction Of the Valley Railroad-the
speech Of Judge Shelley in its support, and the
hospitable reception and entertainments we
heretofore gave, up to Friday. On Saturday
many delegates returned, but an Executive
Committee, with Gen. Lee chairman, were ap-
pointed to remain over and press the subject
On Monday and Tuesday following this Com
mittee procured the signatures Of near 1900 of
the principal business men of Baltimore to
memorial to the Mayor and City Councils,
earnestly recommending that one million of
dollars should be subscribed by the city to the
stock of the Valley Railroad
The delegation having been formally invited
to an audience with the City Councils as
sembled in convention for the purpose on Tues
day, at 6 o'clock 2. NJ, Judge Sheffey Col.
Christian, and Col Pendleton of Botetourt
were appointed to present the memorial and
address the Convention.
The Baltimore papers publish the substance
Of these addresses We give those of our
countymen:
Colonel B. Christian said they had como this
evening to second the memorial of the delega-
ton with the memorial Of the merchants and
other business men of Baltimore earnestly
urging the City Councils, as their representa-
tives, to grant the aid asked by this delegation
for the Valley Railroad. This memorial was
signed impromptu, on the mere request eff per-
sonal strangers, and all within few hours, by
the solid men Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. men
who have built up your city, and who are will
ling on their Judgment to meet the taxes nee
essary for the end proposed, and whose inter-
ests depend on the future of this city. We
are not here to solicit a gratuity, but knowing
as We do the great benefits which must accrue
from this Valley Railroad as we'll to Baltimore
as to ourselves-we come in this apparently
persistent manner to ask your aid and friendly
cooperation In building it. Even if it should
not pay you In dividends on the stock at once,
1t will pay a~thousand times over in the in
creased trade it will give to the city. Your
predecessors, whose portraits adorn these walls,
wisely expended large sums in erecting monu-
ments- providing parks &c, which have paid
well, not In dividends but In making the city
attractive; they taxed the then small city
some $4,OOO,OO0 to build the Bait & Ohio
Road, through comparatively sterile country
over rough mountains, and the result is YOU
have got back the tax spent for stock in that
road, and the premium On it now gives you
81, 000, 900 clear-besides, the city has quad
rupled in population, and more than quadru-
pied III wealth IN consequence of that tax
The ALLEY Railroad is not an adventure in
a new and sterile region, but through one of the
richest sections Of the whole country. The
marginal production is sufficient of itself to
support railroad; and 1t is SO fenced in on
each side by mountains that it has no competi-
ton to fear. 1t Is to supply missing link in
the great chain of railroads, stretching from
North to South-to the great cotton region.
the exporting material to supply freights to
your line of Ocean Steamers already success.
The Engineer Of the B. & O. company who
made the recent survey Of this route, reports
officially to his President that this Valley Rail-
road would, from It's superior advantages, be-
come virtually the main stem of the 3. & 0.
X. X. 1t is a historical fact that the soil and
climate Of this Valley is unsurpassed any
where. During the late war the order to the
Federal General commanding there was to de-
vastate and destroy until not even a crow
would fly over the Valley without carrying its
rations, and the order was carried out only
too faithfully; the country was swept as with
the bosom Of destruction This was ordered
because the Valley was the granary which fed
the Confederate army, But its fertile soil
which renews itself ever, and It's climate which
braces and gives energy to It's people, have re-
stored plenty again. 1t only wants way to
market for its surplus produce to rebuild its
burnt barns, and mills and fences, and add vet
thousand fold to it's former productiveness. -
Baltimore has now the first chance, and if this
is not seized it will perhaps prove the last
chance for her to help to build this road and
deyelope this inexhaustible region Forty years
ago Baltimore begged and was refused by Vir-
ginia the privilege of building this very road,
not only all at her own cost, but offered besides
to pay annually into the Virginia Treasury
6onas OF so cents on every passenger and ton Of
freight passing over it forever This bonus
would now amount-judging by similar roads
to some $4,000, 000 Virginia has now, in
sympathy for the losses and sufferings Of the
Valley and in the necessity Of giving every CD
portunity to develope the wealth Of the State,
granted this privilege gratis, but if not at once
secured, the charter Itself may be repealed by
the next Legislature, as powerful influences are
already at work and growing up against it.
You have the legal power to aid, and Bati-
more has the aid now too of some sentimental
ism to cooperate. The sympathies of the peo-
pie are warmly grateful to Baltimore for her
generous aid throughout the late war. For
merly it was denounced as anti Virginian to
trade In Baltimore and this had become he
redItary feeling; it was alluded to by speaker
the Court houses Of the Valley, when one in
reply to this sentiment referred to the fact that
at that very moment, the noble women of Bal
timore were working light and day to feed the
hungry and ciothe the naked Of the South as
there was scarcely man present whose son, or
self, or family but had felt the kindness of
Baltimore people-there was scarcely dry eye
in the whole house. With all the advantages
offered to Baltimore, if she fails to secure this
opportunity, she will deserve to lose it forever
Judge Shelley folowed-he said:
He had been relieved of a great part of what
he intended to say by those who preceded him.
Considering the magnitude of the interest in
volved in the decision which this council is call
ed upon to make, he felt weight of oppres-
sion at the responsibility which rested upon him.
He must leave the council to judge of the re-
sponsibility resting upon them, not only to the
property owners, but to the people of the city
throughout all their ranks. Not only is the
business man interested, but the mechanic is
deeply interested. Capital cannot thrive I'M
less labor is rewarded. You are the represen-
tatyes Of the humblest man as we'll as the cap
italists of the city. Baltimore has won her
reputation for energy and enterprise by the
conservation OF her means to the development
or her trade by fostering public Improvements.
The Board OF Trade and the Corn Exchange,
IN joint session, had memoralized the councils
in behalf Of the Valley railroad. He now had
the pleasure OF presenting petition signed by
the unanimous business community Of the cen
tire OF the clty-your capitalists and your mil
lionalres-all obtained in few hours Such
has been the impression made upon your bust
ness men that hundreds of them have ex-
pressed willingness to subscribe two millions,