The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-14
The James River Railroad.

The neon,e Of Lyhchburg are all agog
abont railroad from a point OF Junction
with the Chesapeake and ONO fa,isoa"
other at Covington, or Jackson River depo''
or Clifton Forge, to Lynchburg, there to
consolidate with the Southsidc railroad,
whose nearest point to this city is at PETERS
burg.
The people of Lynchburg have right TO
do what they please but we had supposed
they would save their money TO ihish 'na'
connection By the Cumberland Gap Win
,he Kentucky system of roads before they
yentured upon this reaching forth an arm
n the Northwest. Indeed, the boast has
been that this Cumberland Gap passage
opened the shortest route to the trade OF
unper Kentucky and the lower Ohio COM
merce.
But we would not restrict anybody from
doing anything in the way of railroad ouiia-
ing that is In their power, ana we 90 no.
mean to say n word that may operate against
the enterprising town Of Lynchburg spend
inc her money in such adventures. YET
wa think that this city has some interest
III the SUBJECT, anu We ut>AS " i''i>
attention of our own people to 1t.
It would be great piece Of hypocrisy 10
sav that the improvement cause nthe SCUM
side had been carried out entirely saliSiac-
torily to the sentiments or the interests VI
Richmond that it has taken that course
which it was expected it would take, anu
that we were led to expect it would wheh
we subscribed to the Virginia ana Iennes-
see road. We do not mean now to UNDER
take a discussion On this matter, ana no"
only assume that we have not WHAT we
want. We make no issue with any SIDE,
nor do we propose to REOPEN the war OIL
consolidation. We long ago yielded that
poiut. aud we believe that General MALONE
has been rs impartial as he could be.
But we say now that If this city rests con-
tent before she has direct railroad COM
munication with Southwestern Virginia ana
Tennessee, she will be unworthy the name
Of CITY. None but one-horse town would
manifest such apathy touching her true IN
terests as that would indicate. We say iur-
thermore that such direct communication
with that rich region is due to the most
populous and prosperous city in the STATE.
This scheme Of continuous railroad line
from Coyington to Lynchburg is one vastly
interesting to the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad Company. 1t is broachcd now IN
hot haste before that company, as newly or
yanized. has had time TO look about them,
and without conference with them, we sup
nose. Nevertheless, the charter gives that
company n word in the matter, and they
will nc doubt regard the subject deserving
Of consideration. In any event, we say
that Richmond ought to have finger in this
pie, and will if she looks at it in its true
light.
Whatever people may say, trade is prone
to follow straight and through lines, and no
matter how much we may get now by the
roundabout route, we would get more by
straight one. As we arc, beyond question.
sufferers by the direction Of the southsidc
lines, il would argue both blindness and
listlcssncss were we to allow our interests
on the north side to meet the same fate. Of
course the road down Jacksou's and James
rivers would have much greater capacity
for transportation than the present route
across the hills of Bath and the mountains
of Augusta and unless we have conductor
1t Lynchburg to receive what Is for us, our
interests will be, beyond question, imperi-
led. We shall then be anticipated and pre-
termitted by trade from both sides Of the
mean line indicated by the James river.
The question is, Will Richmond, with
her trade and her great interests, permit
herself to be overslaughed in this manner:
Many syren songs will be sung in her ears
che will be implored to sleep it will be
proved that the roundabout route is best
for her CALYPso's maidens ne'er chanted
songs more inviting to repose than we shall
hear from those opposed to Richmond's
lifting hand to vindcate the integrity of
her communications with the western inte-
rioc. Will all these be listened to! We
shall see.