Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-04-23

We copy below the remarks of Jno W
Garrett, Esq, President of the Baltimore
q Ohio 4. r., at the last monthly meeting
Of the Directors of the above road, in refer
ence to the Valley and Lynchburg and Dan
vile Railroads, which will be read with es-
pecial interest by our people a, this particu-
lar time
''Thefe arc two subjects in connection
with railway improvements of vital impor-
lance to this community which will be pre-
scnted at an early day in a manner that will
attract great public attention. The aid of
the Baltimore and Ohio Company to the
Winchester and Strasburg road will effect
the opening Of the line to Harrsonburg du-
ring the next autumn There will then be
q gap Of but 113 mics from Harrisonburg
to Salem, the construction of which will not
only open the business Of the magnificent
Valley Of Virginia but also open under the
most favorable auspices and influences a
great line to New Orleans, which will large
ly command the traffic of the vast intermedi-
ate territory. A second gap of but sixty
miles exists between Lynchburg and Dam
vile, the filling of which will connect the
Orange and Alexandria road with another
highly important system of southern rail-
ways, by which an enormous business will
necessarily be directed to Baltimore which
now goes to the coast. The leading citizens
in these sections are extremely anxious to
get these roads constructed. They want,
in view of the advantages to their regions,
enlarged commercial intercourse with Balti-
more. They are willing to contribute large
ly for the work themselves. The counties
upon the Valley line propose to subscribe
81 100000. They propose to ask the city
of Baltimore to subscribe a million to their
stock. The Lynchburg and Danville inter
ests propose to supply all that will be requi
site but half million. This sum they wish
to obtain from the city of Baltimore. I'm
der these circumstances large delegations of
the most eminent citizens in Virginia.
Messrs. Hartman, Barbour, Stuart, Baldwin,
Pendleton, General Robert E. Lee, and 9TH
els of equal prominence and infuence-it is
expected. will visit Baltimore about the 21ss
of this month to confer with the authorities
and citizens of Baltimore. 1t will be seen,
as mere railroad question, that the Balti-
more and Ohio Company has but little inter
est in these extensions, whilst incalculable
benefits would result from their construction
to the business interests of Baltimore. AS
this company is now engaged III enterprises
for the prosecution of which all its resources
are required, those connected with it can on
ly aid as citizens and cooperate to secure
the requisite capital It has been found
heretofore impossible to obtain the large
sums necessary for such works from individ-
uals. Therefore the only practicable plan
appears to be for the city to render the nee
essary assistance. It is the judgement Of
many who have carefully considered the sub
ject that if the city of Baltimore can, by
subscribing 81, 100000 to the Valley line
and $500, 900 to the Lynchburg and Dan
vile line, secure their construction, and thus
open these direct and frst-class avenues to
Baltimore, this community will absolutely
gain in advantages and net profits OF the vast
business that will be thus commanded otless
than the aggregate amount (s1 500, 000O in
each and every year after their completion.
ln that judgment the Ghair fully concurs.
It is stated that three hundred delegates will
visit Baltimore If, when those gentlemen
arrive. full cooperation is extended, and
the facts and interests connected with these
great subjects be presented and understood
in the community and inv aty Council,
and aid be granted, it will undoubtedly lead
to results in the commercial progress of Bal
tinore as important and valuable, in con-
necton with the southern trade, as the de-
yelopments and extensions of the Baltimore
and Ohio road are bringing about with the
trade Of the West, Northwest, and the South
west. The Chair feels that the Importance
and magnitude of the interests involved in
these enterprises cannot be too earnestly
urged.