New-York tribune., 1869-01-13
THE ALBANY AND SUSQUEHANNA RAIL-
ROAD
FORMAL OPENING INSTRUMENTATION OF THE
ROAD.

ROAD.
B1SGUAMroN, n. Y, Jan. 12-The formal
opening of the Albany and susquehanna Railroad TOOK
place to-day Two large excursion trains ei' ALBANY
tb,s Morning and arrived here tins afternoon, after
Very pleasant journey in Erie Railway coaches:
While the one winch left an hour %, Later later
brought railroad and state. city and county oGa
Ramsey had the whole supervision Oh the excursion tno
total length Of the Road is 5O miles ana taVefsng % II
aware Chenango and BroOme it cannot but add to the
prosperity OF the State as wen as sun iurher ehion @
For many years the people counties have onged
for rapid outlet for tleir goods but unti the Apany
be sangune "he road has been so long IN the hahs
of the builders many feared would never be com.
pleed bnt they little knew the who had charge OF
IT, The Company formed in the Spring OF ls5l with
Mr. Edward q Deayan OF Albany us President and, not
withstanding the individual subscriptions Of stock
amounted to 81 0O00O0 The directors waited until they
received a loan OF another million from the City OF
Albany before they made the contract The latter was
signed in the contracting firm being Morris, Miller
Baker Co.. who agreed to build the roaa Io1 e sun .,
S. the contractors were forced 10 suspend
operations and the next the Company came TO he
bonded 10 help build the road This effort was
cessfu; but the next year the bill passed ana IN
sOnsegt'Mnfes M s ee o Tbi, being Exhausted tho Com
pany concluded TO ask the state 10 subscribe, ana
during the Winters of 1882 1860 and 1861. bills
passed by the Legislature making various appropriations
10 aid the road but they were all vetoed by Gov MOgh
1t not until Horato Seymour became Governor that
the expectations OF the company were realized lie
signed bill in 1863 which gave the company SJOOcl ana
this money was the means OF completing the foad 10
Oneonta a distance OF 81 miles from Albany. Cars
reached that point August 2S 1860 In $500 anohef
half million was asked for but Coy fenIon would would
quarter Of million which helped TO hnsh ihe ROAD 70
Harpersvile distance OF l2O miles from Aipay IaIs
ran 10 the latter place Dec 2 1867 and since that
time. those who wished to 60 10 Blnghamton had 70
to give s25OOO to complete the road but the bill it passed
failed TO receive the sanction OF GOV felto ana the
Company was forced to obtain temporary loan from
Daniel Drew OF s5sOOOO This finished the road last De-
cember Although the road is open Tor business
there is a great amount Of money. yet 10 ,. be
condition. and the Legislature Is 10 be called upon
70 70 1ne M as s S s OF Ss
but if hard work the part OF the company and Of rail-
be no S "o . albany as most Of the
hail and PlatsDurgh. Buffalo and Washington. and Mid
land this excursion and it understood they are
only by species OF log rolling very common In Albany
that they got last Winter. the Endorsement OF the Les
lature, but the Governor spoiled the game.
The total cost OF the road far has been about 00
OOO Sept. 80, 1858, the floating and funded debts
two before it is in hrst-class order. If well
rairoad properties in the state Connecting here
with the Erie Road and its branches for the coal re-
gons OF Pennsylvania and at Albany with the Central
Springfield and Boston, and Saratoga aud Rutland roads
1t has geographical advantages which cannot but be o
OF the country generally II is broad gauge doubt
third rail will be laid some day.
board OF OF the At the city they
formally received by the CtIzons Committee. and
cOrted TO Hremen's Hail. where grand banquet was
spread About GOO sat down 10 the table Judge Balloon
presided, and m&de a few remarks The Hon. George
Bartlett Chairman Of the Citizens Committee. made the
speech Of welcome President Ramsey called out,
and gave a brief history Of the road from the
organization OF the company and the subscription OF
million dollars. mainly by the citizens along the line, IN
1882 to the completion OF In 1868 In spite OF the yet0es
OF Governors He rapturousiy applauded. John ii.
Mcfarland, Of the earliest advocates Of the road,
gave "reminiscences Of the first mcetings 90 sub
scribe for the stock held In 1851 He followed by
Col Snow, on behalf OF Gov. Hoffman by ID. c. Little
iOhn President of the Midland Railroad Company; by j.
Bancroft Davis for the Erie Railway Company, and by
others. Among the distinguished guests the Hon.
Lyman Tremain, Nathan Laphaln, and many
members and exmembers Of the Legislature.
The excursion party not specially invited enter.
tanned free lunch at tho Court House. and the affair
III all respects a marked Two trains
10 Albany tonight. The others remain here until TO.
morrow, tho excursloDists being provided for the
hotels and residences Of the citizens.