The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-14
VIRGINIA NEWS.
The I.ynchburg and Coyington Rail.
road I'm Lexington.
OF the Richmond Dispatch.

MAJOR L. j. kirkpatrick, T.. V. Winfree, T.
A. Krise, and Major J. B. Brockenborough,
arrived this morning by packet, and held
an informal conference with some of our
leading citizens.
The meeting, which assembled at -
O'Clock. was not large in numbers, but was
a fair representation of the sentiments of
Rockbridge.
General s. Med. Moore was called tn the
chair, and Major J. J. Laferty appointed
secretary.
The Chairman explained that the object
Of the meeting was to hear certain propo-
sitions from the Lynchburg delegation, and
called out Major kirkpatrick, who pro-
ceeded to give clear statement Of the cir
cumstances and objects which brought the
delegation here. Lynchburg had always
desired road to the Ohio, and years ago
had obtained charter for that purpose !;
but now that the new owners Of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad are likely to push
on, connection between Lynchburg and
Corington was rendered the more desira-
BILE and more likely to be built. The new
company simply wanted to make money,
and the grades from Covington to Richmond
were so heavy and the line so circuitous that
they would favor the filling up of this gap of
sixty miles.
He earnestly and ably urged the impor-
tance Of emptying the treasures of the coal
fields Of the West along the line of James
river. This must and will be built the
question is, Ought Rockbridge to go for it :?
He was aware that the county had certain
complications with the Valley railroad, and
he would make not the slightest objection
to that. If you can get that road do so, and
then consider whether Rockbridge can't
help b 9th. He argued to show that Bati-
mr. had inf ~ i,,f 1,aE
beyond Staunton. But that will soon be de-
termned by the vote of the city. This new
line can be built at small cost,-three mil
lions at the outside--and il half million
can be raised on this side, the private and
corporation subscription on the other side
and the credit of the consolidated line to
Norfolk will build the road in very short
time. The Norfolk and Petersburg and
SouthsiGe railroads already have charter,
and the right Of way is thus guaranteed.
Major j. B. peterborough, being called,
said that all his sympathies were with Rock
bridge, his native county, and that he would
not go for any measure that was not for her
good. He ably and graphically urged the
importance Of this road and its value to
Virginia. He would say frankly that Lynch
burg did not propose to build the road
alone, but wanted Rockbridge to join hands
with her. In plain English, he proposed
that the county should transfer to this new
route the four hundred thousand dollars
she had voted to the Valley railroad.
He urged that the great want of Rock
bridge is railroad, and argued that there
was not much probability that the "Valley
railroad" will be built beyond Staunton.
Baltimore has not yet acted, Augusta has
voted down the subscription, and Mr.. Gar
rett has done nothing tangible He was
authorized to say that If Rockbridee would
make this transfer the credit Of the South
side and Norfolk and Petersburg railroads
would be pledged to the extension; that
Lvnchburg. Norfolk, and the counties along
the line, would subscribe literally, and that
the road would be built within the next
two or three years.
On the other hand, he argued that Balti-
more has no interest in the Valley road be-
vond Staunton. Richmond is the great
grain market of the country, and grain
being our staple it would 90 there by canal
even if Baltimore had the line to Salem
built. Baltimore now virtually owns line
which taps the Virginia and Tennessee at
Lvnchburg, and is twenty-five miles nearer
to Salem than the Valley railroad would be,
and it is Il notorious fact that the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad is buying up all Of the
stock Of the Virginia and Tennessee rail-
As for the "air line" from Covington to
Richmond. he did not believe that could be
built, on account of the heavy grades, and
argued to show that it would be better for
Richmond to unite on the new line, and
have an air line to Richmond. He ably and
clouuently argued that this line had best be
built by T1rginians, and controlled to foS-
ter Virginia enterprise and build up F1r-
qjniG cities. He commended that If Rock
bridge could only have one railroad, she
ought to prefer this new line.
General S. NcDo1ceN Moore said that we
must have railroad, and he would go for
that scheme which would surest and soon
est bring us one. We have three chances.
Baltimore. Philadelphia, and Lynchburg,
were all in the field. We are pledged to
Baltimore If she complies nth the terms.
He was disposed TO think that the best
chance for a railroad is from the Pennsylva-
MIA Central by way Of the Page valley.
They have both NOTICE and money. He
preferred communication with Norfolk and
Richmond if we can get it, but was rather
afraid that the new scheme could not get
the capital. lie offered. resolutions to APP
point a committee of correspondence with
all Of these interests to ascertain which can
soonest give US railroad. lie was for ;scer-
tanning which would do this, aud then he
was cordially in favor Of that.
Major j. B. Dormdn thought that de-
cidedlv the best railroad for Rockbridge
was this new route, and he would build
this first, if he could, But he thought il
not wise to divert the subscription from the
Valley railroad until we see what Baltimore
will do and know more about the new line.
lie suggested that the Chesapeake and Ohio
and the Norfolk and Southsidc railroads
might have a common trunk from Clifton
Forge to Lexington, and then diverge-
the one TO Lynchbllrg and the other TO
Richmond. He would work for the new
scheme, and if Baltimore does not act
promptly he would go for the transfer of our
subscription. He went first for Virginia
and her interests.
Colonel Z. T. anderson then offered the
following, which were accepted as substl'
tutc for General Moore's:
"Resogred, That this meeting are earn-
estly in favor of the projected road from
Lynchburg to Clifton Forge. or some other
point on the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad,
and deem it to the interest of the people
and county Of Rockbridge to aid all in thell
power to the accomplishment of that great
work and that a committee be appointed
to confer with the friends of this new route
by correspondence or otherwise.
'"2. Resolred, That, in the opinion of thi;
meeting, the county of Rockbridge i:
pledged to make good her subscription tc
the Valley railroad, provided the city OF
Baltimore and county of Augusta comp!
with the conditions, and ASSURANCE is made
sure that the road will be speedily com
pleted through her territory"
General T. FL. Smith earnestly and ably
advocated the new route as the best fol
PocE bri1 on and Virginia..
Colonel William Allan made an able ant
ingenious speech against the change, and il
favor of the Valley railroad, the best for The
county. He was more hopeful DO" than
ever that this road would be speedily built
and he believed that the Lynchburg ant
Coyineton and the air line " to Richm0nt
would also be built in course of time. We