The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-06-13
TuERAILRoAD CONNECTION.

1t is intimated, though upon rather
questionable authority, that the officers
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad arc
not satisfied with the terms Of the ordl-
nance recently passed by the City
Councils, granting the right OF way
between the depots. 1t is alleged that
the rate of speed prescribed in the ordi-
nance is Objectionable; that the com
pany is not willing to incur the risk OF
being compelled 10 make compensation
10 private parties for alleged damages
and that, to avoid these things, they
talk about going up Bogg or Caldwells
run and tunnclling through to Elm
Grove or the Cemetery,and thus leaving
the city entirely off the line.
We can scarcely regard the PROPOSE
ton to tunnel the hill for the distance
of mile and half al cost OF several
million dollars, for the purpose OF avoid
ing passage through the city, as any
thing less than mere nonsense. The
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
is not in the habit OF sqaandering
money quite so foolishly as that, or for
so little purpose. Who ever heard of
railroad rcsorting TO such cxtraorii-
nary means to oroid a city and drive
away trade?
1t is possible that the company may
desire some modification Of the terms
Of the ordinance in question, and VIC
doubt not that when il makes formal,
and authoritative and specific request,
the City Council will give the matter
courteous consideration. The city will
unquestiona6ly grant any privilege
which promises a mutual advantage,
and when the Railroad Company states
what it intends to do and what it desires
upon the part OF the city, the people
will be able to judge whether or not
they will be justified in granting the re-
quest. We all want to see the Hemp
field road completed to junction with
the Connellsville route, and whatever
the city can reasonably do to promote
that end will doubtless be done But
while the Hempfeld road remains in
its present condition and with its pres
ent Eastern terminus, it is questionable
whether the city will be compensated
for the inconvenience resulting from
the tearing up Of the streets in order to
lay a track connecting the two depots.
In fact, if it is merely to furnish q
switch upon which cars may be easily
transferred from one track to the other,
the Hempfeld road remaining simply
as it is, the interest of the city is rather
against than in favor of the connection.
No possible good could result to the city
from such an arrangement; the railroad
company would offer nothing at all in
return for the privilege accorded.
We have no doubt, however, that just
as soon as the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company is ready and willing
to extend the Hempfeld road and give
to the City of Wheeling some hope Of
the permanent use Of this as a main
line, the city will cheerfully do all that
can be reasonably asked to encourage
and favor the work. 1t can hardly be
considered reasonable to ask the city TO
consent to the obstruction Of an import
ant street, TO assume all liability for
damage to private property, and to re-
move all restrictions as to the man.
ner in which the track is to be used,
without any promise or guarantee Of
reciprocal advantage, merely to enable
the railroad to make convenient con-
nection between the two depots. We
cannot believe that the Baltimore and
Ohio Company eontemplates so prepos'
ferrous request.