The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-01
Railroad Management.

Nave In a wear or two an utter revolution
IN the restrictive system, 60 long pursued
IN the management OF railroads to the de'
struction OF the local interests OF 'hl,
State. The party Of action anu .oel" s
yteys. aided by some new forces introduces
into the arena. Ia getting the upper ha"e'
The costive and narrowgange po'les 80
gradually giving ground, and we nope "
see IL soon baniShed from the state
There are two forms taken oy the natfo"
ond selfish system First, to tax ever!
thing that can use but one railway us h'eh
as nossible-i. e., to degree as near prom
h;.ion as possible; second, to put down
the freichts generally through trcights}
n,heneyer there is competition for them.
Tins railroads that will not reduce their
charges a millionth part of brass farthins
IN local freights, will reduce their through
charges to point below what is requisite
IN nav the cost Of wear and tear of road
and rolling stock in their transportation.
Companies that are grinding the local
uopulations living upon their lines into the
dust BY unreasonable cxactions, are losing
money in competing for through trade and
travel.
How can State which gave existence to
these companies stand this system? Her
local interests are ruined by it. There is
no announcement to increased produc-
tion-no encouragement to the spread OF
manufacturing industry or the formation Of
yillaees-while local commerce is so over
burthened that it cannot compete with the
outside commercial communities. 1t is in
deed bled to death. Our cities, owing to
this discrimination against them by our
own corporations, cannot compete With
those outside the State.
Could there be a more fragrant kind oil
faithlessness to our domestic interests
These corporations owe their lives to Viz
ginia. and whatever be their motive they
are destroying the life Of Virginia, ths au-
thor oftheir being!
Has the reader ever contemplated the Sc
rious nature of the injury inflicted upon
the Commonwealth in this way: Produc-
ton is restrained, growth Of population re-
tarded, manufacturing enterprise restrict
ed, aud, per consequence, the revenues OF
the State fatally diminished in her hour OF
distress and poverty. What language is
too severe for infidelity and ingratitude like
this:
1t Is argued that the roads cannot get
along without charging the rates imposed
upon locsl freights and travel ; that there
would be no increase were the rates dimln-
tshed. We submit that as they have never
tried a reasonable reduction, they are mol
competent to speak Of the effects Of re-
duction. No man can positively say what
would be the effect Of a measure he has
never tried. But in this the answer is con-
elusive in the history Of railroads every
where; for reduction Of taxation never
falls to give life and increased energy to the
interest it had overburthened and crippled
If we charge that the low through ireights
are running our business, they answer that
II they don't reduce their charges those
through freights willtake some other route.
The question is shall the domestic interests
ofthis State be destroye that these railroads
may be allowed to carry through freights at
rates that will hardly pay the cost of wear
and tear of rails and rolling stock? That
sort of policy does not pay the railroads,
while 1t ruins the State whose welfare they
were chartered to promote.
The point here is that if the Interests OF
the railroad demand that the charges upon
through freights shall be reduced, the
interests of Virginia demand that the local
freights shall be put upon par with
through freights. There ought to be some
power In the State to enforce this right. II
Is d crime, in any directory, to discriminate
against their own State, and place the goods
Of Baltimore and other northern cities al
points south of Richmond at rates lowe,
than are charged upon the same articles
shipped at Richmond.
1t Is needless to mention particulars. TIL
often brought to notice, and promises hav
been made to make proper changes. Sti
the complaint is made by well-informe
persons that the State is great sufferer
the narrow gauge and discriminating pc
icy,--the policy that discriminates agains
our own people!
But we are glad to know that change
coming over the railroads. twill be halle
with delight. 1t is time it had come. W
could never imagine how men controllin
railroads that were killing our trade coul
have the efrontery to move amongst the cit
zens and grasp the hands Of neighbors
friends who were daily suffering from the
contracted and faithless railroad policy. Ce
tainly, such officials must feel self-co1
demned while mixing with the friend
whom they SO seriously injured.
We know that upon the mere question c
patriotism railroad officials are not to b
greatly influenced. But really in this mat
ter patriotism and interest, duty and sell
ishness, are entirely harmonious. 1t is nc
through freights that make railroads rich
1t is the local business-the prosperity
the local populations Of the country throug
which they pass, and especially of the
principal terminus. There is the field ,
ever-increaslng business for the railroad
1t may strive for ages to attain greatness
the power of wealth by being the condu
for trade Of communities beyond its e.
tremitles, and it will ever be a lean an
attenuated crane, deriving but little increat
or fat from what passes through it. It
bordered by desert, and has but little {
the fire OF life itself. Change the pill
ture. Behold the line of road studde
with thriving manufacturing villages th
farms between them well titled and wavin
with luxuriant crops-and its terminus
rapidIy-growipg and flcurish!ng city, teen