The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-18
SHARP PRACTICE.

We copy this morning from the IN
ts!Tgencer an editorial article in relation
to the spirit manifested by the BaIti
more and Ohio Railroad Company
toward this city. The evil complained
of is one which has given our citizens
great annoyance and inflicted upon
them no little pecun;ary damage, and
we most heartily commend the righteous
Indignation which now stirs the blood
Of our contemporary, Notwithstanding bis
wrath is somewhat tardy.
During a number Of years past, the
city Of Wheeling has complained that
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany was unfriendly to the interests OF
our people. Determinations to the
detriment of Wheeling have marked
the policy ofthe company almost ever
since the construction of the road.
We cannot say chy this has been so,
but it will scarcely be denied that such
has been the case. Wheeling has not
been permitted to have the slightest in
fiuence in the councils OF the company
her voice has never been needed, and
her complaints have been as idle as il
uttered 10 the wind True, the com.
pany owns the road; it can run upon
it what trains it will, and when and
between what points may suit It's pur-
pose best. 1t has also almost a mon
opoly Of our connection with eastern
cities and may, with safety to itself, in
fiict upon Wheeling merchants what,
ever conditions it sees fit to dictate.
The company has always been master
OF the situation" and has made and ex-
ecuted its various plans for profit, in
sublime indifference to the wishes OF
the city of Wheeling and the most
perfect forgetfulness Of its interests and
its complaints.
But, few months ago. the Baltimore
and Ohio company obtained possession
OF the property OF the old Hempfeld
Railroad, of blessed (?) memory. Our
people, whose burnt fingers were still
smarting from the taxes thrown into that
concern, were told that MI. GARRETT
intended to extend that road Immediately
to a connection with the -Connellsville
road, thereby shortening the line be-
tween Wheeling and Cumberland and
putting our city directly upon the main
line between Baltimore and the West.
The faces OF our citizens were wreathed
with smiles and we allresolved to bury
the Ratchet and forget the sights OF
the past in the near glories OF the fu-
ture. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad
actually condescended to ask something
at our hands. A connection OF the two
Depots was desired and one OF the prin-
cipal streets Of the city afforded the
only practicable route for that connec-
ton.
Having, at last, by the progress of
events, been placed in situation where
something might be demanded of the
company in return for the privilege ask
ed, it was to be expected that the city
of Wheeling would remember the past
condue: of the railroad company, and
even If not asking PREPARATION for old =
juries, would demand guarantees against
their repetition in the future. We had in
our own hands the power to exact con
cessions. The railroad belongs to the
company and it can do what it will
with its own, but John street belongs to
the city OF Wheeling, and our own cili-
zens have sovereignty there. 1t was
to be expected, in view of the past COM
plants against the policy OF the road,
that some advantage would be taken OF
the circumstances that rendered the
company suppliant for favor at our
hands, and that some authentic and
binding agreement as to the future
management of the company in its re.
lations to the city of Wheeling would
be secured. But, instead of this, for
getting the past, and equally unmindful
of the future, the City Councils, freely
and without any consideration what
ever, without exacting even a bald
promise from the railroad company that
it would hereafter pay any regard to our
interests, surrendered its "coign of van
tage" and gave the company all that 1t