The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-03-22
u;cs,,nond anx, Consolidation.


The WHO of the 10th makes three points
~ the consolidation question, and three
mistaken: First. 1t asserts that Richmond
WAS the battle-ground, and on this ground
sbo onti Observation-Disclosures we're routed III
1s6-. Now, tho fact is that no such sa'ne
as consolidation proper has ever been pro-
rosed before. A temporary combination oil
MANAGEMENT WIS proposed in ls61, such rs
now exists Richmond opposed itthat year,
and it was defeated. In 1857, to prevent
what was threatened, the occupation oi
the Virginia and Tennessee road IN the III.
tcrcst Of Baltimore, and the conse'l"en'
danger OF n permanent possession oy
powerful corpora;ion-the vote from h'eh-
,nond was cast in favor OF the present ar
rancemcnt, which may be changed at any
time when there shall be good reason for
Z. That arrangement and the scheme to
make one corporation from Norfolk to the
interior Of Kentucky are no more alike
than hook and staple are like solid bar
Of iron.
Second. 1t asserts (by implication) that
Richmond ia indebted TO modified con-
solidaton for IL, 900, 600 pounds of freight
(6,000 tons) in 1868, and Is, 900, 900 pounds
$4,000 tons) in 1869. If this be true, and
the increase is to progress in that ratio, the
interest of Richmond would plainly be to
retain consolidation in the present "modi-
G.d'' form. But the fact is that Rich
mond owes every pound Of freight from
that quarter to the attractions Of her own
market for wheat and tobacco and the other
products Of the Southwest; and in 1860,
when the Virginia and Tennessee was an
independent road, she was the recipient, by
rail and canal of larger amount of freight
than in these latter years. This $4,000. 900
pounds is just about 900 carloads, and
shippers. Under the " modified c0nsoli-
dation no through freight comes or goes this
way. No facilities arc afforded for that
class OF freight except (by Arrangement
with the steamship lincs) u" Norfolk: 80
q not open TO the charge OF ingratltude
or ignorance.
Third. 1t asserts by implicatiou) that
Richmond is going only for herself: against
AL other interests and localities. This Is
lie unkindest cut Of all. The claim. and
the on!y claim. Richmond makes IL that
tie v;rginia and Tennessee road I've kept
open az Il common gateway without tolD,
equally free to all the roads and the canal
converting at Lvnchburg bearing freight
hound 70. and frcn the Southwest. She
has never done an act which can be tortured
into the enGcayor TO appropriate 1t to her
self. On the contrary, she consented III
1867 10 the present ''inodited' consolidation
to prevent my such appropriation by
powerful corporation, which might have OBJ
tanned possession of il TO the exclusion oi
Petersburg and Norfolk. And now she
holds the same position as to the exclusive
control Of this route by ANY other such cor
polation.
One would suppose there could not he q
more broad and catholic stand taken OIL any
rublic question than this. Where is it
marrow and hidehound ~ If that same
shirt shall actuate all the cities Of Eastern
virginia there will be no more rOom Tor
disputes aud jealo,,sics. When it is pro
rlnimed that IL comlnon channel-throug!,
which they all expect TO prosecute their
traie--shall be free to all, on terms idcnt!-
h rally the same, that would seem to be thr
: ,nd Of discussion and complaint.
J. MERCHA ANT