Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-07-29

in the papers, pro and con, for number 81
weeks past, and many points have been
brought out tending to show the greatest
advantages to our people from the early
completion of this necessary public improve
nent, and as consequence the reasons
why our people, should, as one man, vote
for the subscription. These reasons have
doubtlessly been considered by many. and we
know some former opponents who now pro-
pose to vote for and are working to carry
the county subscription We do not pro-
pose to recapitulate the arguments already
adduced, but to look at the subject from
another stand point.
In the first place we are positively and
emphatically railroad man. We believe
they have advantaged every community TO
which they were of easy access. We are in
favor of all the railroads which are projected
and can possibly be projected through our
county We would rejoice to see the Page
Valley Railroad constructed and We are
equally anxious to see the Valley Railroad
a reality But there are some roads more
advantageous to community than others.
This is the case as between the above
named roads. Let us look at the two.
Suppose the Page Valley Railroad built
n Fisbersyille. without cents cost to our
people, and how would it advantage them :?
1t will open up the section through which it
passes. Will it do anything further One
of the great advantages Of Railroads is the
cheap and rapid transportation of produc-
tons from the producing sections to the
places of demand. Will this be afforded by
the Page Valley Road? We think not, and
we give YOU our reasons. 1t runs, in con-
nection with Other roads, to Philadelphia
and New York, and for every transshipment,
or every road over which produce passes, an
additional amount is added to the cost Of
transportation, and by the time produce from
this section reaches either Philadcl phia or
New York, the costs reduce the net receipts
below what would be realized in Richmond
or Baltimore and that is surely no adyant-
age. But our people do not, nor are they
likely to send their produce to either Phlla
delphia or New York, and our merchants
are not likely to buy there and ship over
this road for the same reason.
Then as to Baltimore, which is a better
market for our produce than either of the
above. Whether the produce shipped on
this road reaches Baltimore by the Manas-
sas road and its connections, or by the Bal
1imore & Ohio Road from its point of con-
nection with the Page Valley Railroad, it
will be subjected to local rates, at least after
it leaves the Page Valley Road, which will
continue the present high rates of transport
tation, SO much complained of in this locali
ty now. Look at it then calmly and judge
for yourselves ii it can possibly be a compe-
tition likely to reduce the rates OF tranporsa-
ton and render it cheap.
Let us then view the Valley Railroad in
this light. Will it be likely to render trans
portation cheap? 1t will be continuous
line of railway to Baltimore, and run, in all
probability, by one company. The Baltl-
more & Ohio Railroad Company are anxious
to run it when completed and have made a
Droposition to do So Produce will then
be transported, without breaking bulk, di-
rcctly from any point in Augusta, or along
the line of this road, to Baltimore, thereby
saving the additional costs ct trans ship
ments and of extra tariffs where freight pass
es over several roads. Breaking bulk and
shipping over several roads, is very like a
farmer starting load Of hay to town and
npsetting The wagon once or twice. BY the
time he has re loaded it his profits are con-
siderably reduced, if any profits are left af-
ter the operation.
But the prime question is, twill the stock
holders favor low tariffs" and thereby re-
duce the rates of transportation This is
the most important aspect and from whence
arises the greatest advantages to communi-
ties. The stockholders are the City Of Bal
fimore, 81 600, ooo. Baltimore 4 Ohio Rail-
road, $1,00O,000 and the counties and
towns along the line. $1,200.000. What
are their interests Clearly Baltimore has
not Invested in this road as a matter of
speculation. She cares nothing for the div
sdends arising from it. Her object is to
selp to open up another direct line Of COM
munication from rich and productive Sec
tion, and to secure the transportation of its
productions to her limits. From the in
crease of her business thereby she will de-
rive ten-fold more advantage than if the
read declared dividend of 20 per cent. per
annuna. This she clearly understands. It
is surely not her interest to driye off trade
10y high rates Of transportation, but, OF the
contrary, she is directly interested to have
che very loa est possible rates Of transporta-
tion- The people Of the Counties and Towns
along the line are also directly interested IN
having low rates The People of Baltimore
and the People of the Valley will own elcv-
en- slxteenths of the whole stock, and both
are directly interested in low rates and they
will have them. 1t is this very thing that
will secure low rates for the future on this
road, and force low rates on every road run
ming through this section. Stock Companies,
eomposed of individuals, are always inter.