Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-08-26
CORRESPONDENCE.

Tho Wilmington and Western Railroad.
We notice In your Issue of the 18th an article
on the proposed Wilmington and Western Rail-
road, which we think rather Misrepresentation
on the part of the writer.
We suppose from the statement that he prefers
the Mill Creek route. We would desire the ad-
vantages of both Mil Creek and Red Clay fairly
set forth, and the road be located where It would
he most beneficial to Wilmington, and the public
generally. True as he says, the road is to open
channel 10 extensive commerce, then for the In.
terest of all concerned It should be laid 90 "a to
command the most trade, provided the extra
expense OF constructing the road on that route
docs not surpass the benefits to be derived from
it, From the most reliable information we can
gather OF the recent surveys made, the difference
1n the length OF the two routes, will not at the
most exceed ~ miles, and that could lie short
ened almost one mile, by a very practical route,
to strike Red Clay creek a short distance north
OF the point surveyed. The expense of building
the road on Red Clay creek over that Of
Mill creek will not at the highest estima-
ton exceed forty or fifty thousand dollars,
and judging from the amount of subscription
taken on the Red Clay Creek. four years ago, for
the Wilmington g. Reading Road, we might safe
Y conclude that we can without difficulty meet
the extra expense by actual subscription in stock,
and so gain the advantage of the great trade on
Red Clay, the principal part Of which would be
lost on Mill Creek. The writer doubts "should
the road be laid on Red Clay whether It will ever
extend beyond Chandlerville," and claims that
capitalists would not be likely 10 invest unless
the road be laid on the shortest route"
We think 1t more probable that they would
subscribe to road If 1t were trifc longer, pro-
viding the local trade would exceed the extra OK
pense of making 1t. The present business on
Red Clay would certainly pay three times that
amount, and SO long as water Is cheaper for
motive power than steam, SO long will trade iii-
crease, notwithstanding the removal or change
Of business of few individuals" The simple
facts Of the case are these: If the road be built
on Mill Creek 1t will command none Of the Red
Clay trade; manufacturers will still Lave to keep
teams to convey their produce three or four
miles to station; 1t would be but short dis
tance further to Wilmington and they would send
their produce directly there by teams and return
with back loads their articles for manufactures as
has been done heretofore and avoid all expense
Of railroad but build the road on Red Clay and
1t will have the immediate trade of nine or ten
manufacturing establishments which could not
possibly use the road to any advantage were II
built on the other route, and also accommodate
all the business on Mill Creek. There are several
excellent unimproyed water powers on Red Clay
Greek which would undoubtedly be profited by
in short time If the road were built here so that
enterprisng men would have an opportunity of
doing business. We would insist then on looking
at the many advantages of the Red Clay Greek
route before final decision; net merely for the
sake of individual convenience but for the general
welfare of the community.
RED CLAY CREEK