The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-07-11
Railroad Schemes-Esow Richmond
may Protect e own Interests.

fuF the IiSpdtCU-
McsSrS. EditorS,-JuSt one week ago the
Richmond and Potomac Railroad bill, latter
= sharp contest" passed the House of Dele.
gates. \ bill To sell the three-fifths interest
oi the State in the Richmond and Danyille
railroad, amounting TO 81, 400. 900, has also
iust passed one HouSc Of the Legislature.
II Is Very evident that these two projects,
together with Z scheme already arranged to
connect the Richmond and Danvillc rail
road with the south by a connection from
Greensboro, and Cheraw, :. G., are Il
part and parcel of Il project Favored by Il
foreign, northern corporation.
If the bill to dispose Of the States inte-
rest III the Danville railroad becomes Il law
no doubt the effort TO buy up this c0ntrOi-
l,ng share Of the stock of that railroad will
come from those favorable TO the Pcnnsyl-
vania Central.
The city of Richmond previous to the
war. in Il moment unfortunate for her lnte-
rests. sold her two-iifth> interest in the
UAnyillc railroad. 1t is for her to say whe-
Their her interest docs not dictate, If 4 law
j. enacted authorizing the sale OF the states
interest t. buy the States stock.
UuQuc<tiuMably the city of Richmond,
remembering that the Gods help only those
who help themselves, can with safety to
herself adopt only the policy of herself,
building and sustaining her own arteries OF
trade. This i not only economical 10 her,
but it is il very deed Il question Of LIFE or
ifath.
The most momentous questions that have
ever affected the people OF Virginia have
been considered and acted on 10y the pre-
sent General Assembly. 1t is Il little re-
markahlr that despite the magnitude of our
material interests involved the press has
given little other notice of legislative action
on these large interests than q line in the
synopsis Of legislative proceedings. There
has been bat one cXccptiOn.-thc prolonged
contest Oh cunSuiidut!uu-which, despite It's
fierce and protractrd character, mas SNen
iut lrw assurances Of hope TO our oppfess'
ed and lun@-suiicrinG people.
H. , ~~i,i" 81 the Statc-clty ana coun-
Wy, Richmond and Petersburg, Norfolk
and Lynchburg. alike may by this time feel
convinced that the treiyhtS of people out
side OF the State are carried over Virginia
railroads at figures which will insure the
getting OF them. LOcUl. trcightS-that is, the
fr,1ghtS II the peOpleQf F9TglMin-are taken
ii such rates rs the directory OF the vari-
Gus roads may think to be the balance of Il
proper revenue for the roads. These rates
are considerably higher than the through
rates, so called. II is not necessary to enter
into the question whether, ifthc Through"
rates pay, the roads may not give the people
vi NHsiN!t anu NliSluEt tit4cS aS lON lalcS,
or whether, il this cannot be done, it is not
certain that the people Of Virginia are not
taxed 10y the tariffs OF Virginia railroads TO
iuild up the trade and commerce of other
States. Nor will | at this time inquire
whether the determinations existing against
the people of Virginia are just, when we
consider that they are now taxed to pay
the debts contracted to build these roads,
and that they possess as we'll the property
il the soil a. the eminent domain.
! would, instead, more particularly call
10 your attention at tins trying time to our
old mother Commonwealth, when she is so
isoor that There seem 10 be none so poor
~ 10 do her reverence" that Richmond,
TX" az ciicS and t0nns, mus put her 0rfl
;hmttGer 10 the Whccl, and duy amt build
s1ch roads and cGnalS--T the cost be bymii-
ions or TINS Of Ulit!IOnS-OS a1U ceTtGtnty
assure her Ithctrl prosperity despite the
cac'lS tCWoStttonl Of PROGRESSED friends or
crotrcd tncmtcs from acythtn or ertthout..
Your truly, j. NJ. ".
E'chmond, Va, July :, 1870.