Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-08-24
THE NEW RAILROAD.


Incur last issue we indicated, by facts and
figures, what, in the nature of things ought
to be the route of the extension of the Cum
berland Valley Railroad. We believe thas
such route will be taken. In determining
the question, much, however, will depend on
the disposition manifested-by our people to-
wards the enterprise. IfprOper facilities are
afforded it; if enormous and extortionate de-
mauds for necessary franchises and privileges
are not made; if, in a word, the spirit of
greed and gain be banished, and large, cath
Ole public spirit wilNwelcome the work and
help it on its way, W" have every confidence
in its speedy consummation. We do not of
course mean to intimate that there should not
be paid just compensation for private prop
erty when used for public purposes; but we
do mean to say that when, by such use the
property holder is largely benefited by an
:. enhancement of the value of his contiguous
lands, he should be willing, at reasonable
rates, to give transit to great highway of
commerce and travel such as; is now in con-
temptation.
In the case under consideration, the bene-
fit accruing to him will be of two-fold char
acter; there will be an increase in the value
of his real estate, as well as of the products
of it which it is his interest to send to the best
available market.
That these results will follow the construc-
ton of the new road is, we believe, suscepti-
BILE of the clearest demonstration
Whilst it is true that we at present enjoy
the means of railroad transportation, it is a
fact known to all that it is at such a cost as
makes it of little worth to those who are COM
PEELED to use it. Our county is within easy
distance of an inviting. and valuable market,
and yet our every days experience tells us
that an access to it is to be reached only by
excess of freights which, as shown by the
able paper recently published by us, from the
pen of D. Il. Lucas, Esq, amounts, in each
year, to the large sum of fifty thousand dol
lars. This amount thus annually paid to the
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is equivalent to a
tax of fifty thousand dollars per annum on the
value of the real estate of Jefferson county.
1t is needless to say that such burden as
this must seriously effect the price of every
acre of land in the county With the con-
struction Of the new road the competition
which must necessarily ensue, will reduce
these excessive freight charges within proper
and usual bounds, and thus relieve the real
estate of the county from the heavy contri-
button now exacted of it. 1t needs no ar
- k,la L Al:
be, at once, to advance the prices of land
Since there will also be choice Of markets
opened to US between Baltimore, Philadelphia
and even New York, there will be compete
ton for the products along the line of the new
road which will have the inevitable tendency
to increase their value, it being well settled
principle in political economy that the price
of an article is always regulated by supply
and demand.
We trust that in view of these considera-
tons no opportunity will be omitted to assure
the capitalists who are willing to develop the
resources of our splendid valley, that not only
will no unjust hindrances be thrown in their
way, but that every aid in our power will be
extended them to complete the projected
work. To that end let the subject be exam
ined and discussed in a spirit of liberality
and healthy tone to public sentiment be
secured.
You who have given the matter proper re-
Election, call the attention of your neighbor
to the conclusions you have arrived at, that
he may see, with you, the benefits of the pro-
posed enterprise and be warmly enlisted in
cunDorf IF n