The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-27
OUR RAILROAD WAR.



The Philadelphia Press, which is, OF
course, not entirely disinterested in the
success of the Alexandria and Richmond
railway company, nor, for that matter, is
any city or place North or South disinte-
rested, for nearly all will be equally bene-
fitted by it, speaks of this new enter
prise as follows: -o.
The recent rapid development of the Penn.
sylvania Central railroad in the South as
brought 10 light by the Investigations of the
Virginia Legislature, and the prospective
growth of the commerce of Philadelphia
therefrom, has had an enlivening effect upon
the enemies of that corporation and our city.
They see or affect to see in the connections
which our road is making with the South, a
DANCE to the rights of private citizens, and
the creation of new and gigantic monopoly.
In nearly all these cases the motive is pure
sslfshness.
Baltimore, than which no other city In the
country possesses a more exacting or closer
corporation, naturally feels alarmed. That
city at present, at the expense of Richmond,
Norfolk and other Virginia cities, controls all
the trade of the Old Dominion. Since the
war, which has completely paralyzed Rich
mond and its trade, Baltimore and Its corpora
porous city, and the State of which it is the
metropolis, as its vassals. Now, when another
and more liberal corporation offers to revive
the sinking fortunes of both, Baltimore alleges
ambition and ayarice as the controlling mo-
tives.
;, Norfolk also opposes the endeavor of the
Pennsylvania Central to obtain a right of vay
through Virginia, and from similar motives
1t fears that the cotton Of the more Southern
states, which now has market and depot
there, may find its way Northward to Phila.
delphia. Another source of opposition is the
State pride of Virginia, something akin to that
OF New Jersey, which does not object TO
''foreign" capital when invested in farms, real
estate or other everyday business, but regards
1t with distrust when it comes in the shape of
railroads.
Notwithstanding all this jealousy it would
appear as though the Pennsylvania Central
was to triumph. The committee of the vir.
ginia Legislature, to whom was referred the
resolution of inquiry into the affairs of the
Alexandria and fredericksburg railroad com.
pany, one of the connecting links in the great
line which is to bring to our wharves the cot
ton and other products of the South, has sub.
mitted majority and minority reports as to tie
results Of their investigation. Both substan-
tally protect the rights of the PENNSYLVANIA
company, and indcrse the legality of its pur-
chase.
1t will be strange, indeed, if Richmond
and the counties through which this road
is to pass shall not reap some advantages
from it. Why, every city and town on
ne lines Of the great railways in the
North, which connect the East with the |
West, have been benefited by them; and |
n soma instances, cities have been built
Up at functions or way-stations. This road |
will make the whole country through which |
{ passes continuous city, as is the case
through Pennsylvania and the Western
States.
The Norfolk Eryiniau, yesterday mora
ng, came to the rescue of the Seaboard
md Roanoke road and the Bay Line. and
n column and half, proved that the
'll-rail line to Washington would build up
by diverting the trade and
ravel of the south Atlantic States from
Norfolk, and carrying it North by this
cute. They are really alarmed in Norfolk
1t the prospect that this portion of the
state may prosper through the aid of
oreign capital, by opening direct railway
between the North and the
'outh through Richmond. But will it not
4 the end force competition between the
'eaboard and Bay Line and our road, for
BUSINESS, and thus prove blessing also to
hat city
The Seaboard road has been growing rich
n a monopoly of the North Carolina trade,
nd has given no favors to Norfolk or
'ortsmouth, but when it finds itself con-
'onted by rival, it will reduce its
harges, grow more accommodating. and
'ok better to home interests, even if its
cry few stockholders should receive small
r dividends.
Lot Richmond be the junction of dog.
railways going North aud South, East
I'd West, and we defy fate itself to pre-
int our future growth, and consequent :
and manufacturing prosperity. !
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