Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-01-14
FROM WASHINGTON.
New Years Receptien-B. F.
Butler-Senator Sherman's
Railroad Bill-Important Sug-
gestions.
Correspondence of the Gallipolis Journal.
WASHINGTON CRY, D. G. I
Jan. 8, 1869.

Correspondence of the Galiipolis journal
WASHINGTON CITY, d. G.
Jan. s, 1869
The daily papers have given you,
no doubt, full particulars of the re-
ceptions on New Years day, which
were well attended Notwithstanding
the inclemency of the weather The
PRESIDENTS RECEPTION
was, as it ever is, the center of at
traction. At II o'clock the Cabinet
officers presented themselves. Fif-
teen minutes after Mr.. Seward pre-
sented the diplomatic corps and fif-
teen minutes later the officers of the
army and navy, now in the city,
were presented-after which all
mingled together and promenaded
in the east room. At II o'clock
they gave way to the citizens who
were entitled to two hours. To the
surprise of every one
BF BUTLER
called on the President and passed
the compliments of the season. Both
seemed delighted and it was the town
talk for day. The motives of the
honorable member can only be
guessed at, but one thing is sure, he
never does a thing that will not
benefit B. F. Butler.
RAILROADS.
On ednesday last Hon. John
Sherman called up his railroad bill
which was read in full, whereupon
Mr.. S. proceeded, in mastery
speech, carefully prepared, TO ex-
plain the necessity for more railroads
radiating from Washington city. He
showed up the monopoly of the Bal
timore and Ohio Bailroad Company,
in way that does not rebound to
the credit of that powerful corpora
ton. He showed by figures that
the profits ofthe Washington branch
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad,
were 81 per cent on the cost of the
road. A lot Of hardware from Liv
erpool to this city paid less freight
charges to Baltimore than it did
from Baltimore to Washington, a dis
tance of only 40 miles. A lot of
freight from Chicago, all rail, paid
less charges than from Baltimore to
this place. During the war, for
every soldier who passed over this
road, the United States had to pay
the State of Maryland thirty cents.
The bill of Mr.. Shermans, authorizes
the granting of a charter for three
air line roads-one to New York
one to Pittsburg-one to Cincinnati
through West Virginia. The bill
requires the completion of these
roads within three years. The lat
ter road is Of incalcuable interest to
your people, as it goes from here via
the Kanawha river through South
ern Ohio to Cincinnati. 1t is to be
constructed the nearest and most
direct route, and a glance at the
map will show you that it must come
near you, if not run directly through
your place. AS to the latter it will
depend no little upon the energy and
liberality Of your people. You must
be up and doing and not play the
luggard, while your neighbors step
in and snatch the golden prize. MIR.
Wade assured me last evening that
he had no doubt of the passage of
the bill. You should send up petit
tions to your members of Congress
urging the passage of the bill. You
should be prepared to say to the cor
porate authorities of the road, as
soon as the bill passes, eve will sub
scribe -- dollars to their road"
The advantage of this proposed line
of said road, are SO manifold and
plain as to readily occur to every
citizen of Southern Ohio. twill be
the shortest line from the great
west to Washington City and tide
water. The Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad is straining every nerve to
defeat this bill, aided by the Penn
sylvania Central, the Pittsburgh,
Fort Wayne and Chicago, the Cam
ben and Amboy and five other roads
powerful-a combination of
capital to defeat legislation, never
before equalled in this country.
Your people can have no love for the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and
you should now, while you have the
opportunity, strike blow that will
hurt them The charter binds the
corporators to build these roads the
most direct route, and a study of the
map will show you whether you are
interested in the air line road to
Cincinnati. Keep your eye upon it,
and do your duty when the hour
comes for action. 1t is your last
chance, and if you let it slip you
might as well begin to fence in your
city.
THE WEATHER
is charming, and spring like, and the
predictions of an open winter by the
weather prophets seem to be veri-
Hod AT,PH