The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-28
Grsnitla State Soltrnat.
The Fight Thickens.

our puolc are ueepIy interested IN
securing an all-rail connection with the
North, and they do not witness, without
concern, the extraordinary efforts which
are being made to defeat long cherished
wish. They naturally inquire, who and
what interests are SO busily engaged in this
war on them We propose to enlighten
them little:
First, there appears the genial and ac-
complished gentleman from New York,
Commodore McCready, the representative
of the Old Dominion steamship company.
What interest possibly can he or his COM
pany have in strangling the only hope our
people have had, in long period of years,
to secure boon so desirable, that its
value, even in Mr.. Daniels opinion, is
above estimate? Are his ships owned by
Virginians? Are the affairs of his COM
pauy controlled by Virginians? I? Is not
his foreign corporation, chartered by
New York Was it not established, and
is it not managed, with an eye only to the
interest of its corporators and their asso-
ciAtes? How much of regard for Virginia
and Virginia interests prompt the energies
of this "son of York % To whose rescue
does he come 2
This query brings US to the second per-
sonage in the fght--the Seaboard road.
Is this Virginia interest, How much of
its stock is owned in Virginia? Is it not
in form Virginia corporation, lin fact, run
in, antagonism to the North and South line
of railway from the Potomac to the Roam
oke rivers, in which the Commonwealth Is
a large shareholder How much stock
has the State in the Seaboard road ? Is
this road managed with view to the in
terest Of our people, or is it not directed BY
the same motives which would control the
management Of factory, to make the most
money for its owners, without regard TO
the necessities or capacities OF those from
whose pockets it reaps its gaiu2
Does not this Seaboard concern impose
such terms on the Petersburg and Weldon
road, and on the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac company, as to force away
traffic from their line over its own route ?
And is not its opposition based on the
knowledge that defeat to it will necessitats
a reduction of rates and tolls. benefit to
Norfolk and Portsmouth, but drawback
on ITS receipts, involving necessarily
diminution in its diuidsnds--not to our
people, to foreigners
But why the alliance of Commodore
McCready with this Seaboard company
Is it not, because of the high rates charged
by it, he has larger margins for profits
than be could by a pro rate on reduced
tariff?
The complement of antagonists would be
Incomplete were "the great timpediment"-
the Richmond, fredericksburg and Po-
tomac, entitled to be noticed. For time
without mind this "short line" has stopped
the great public, and has made no effort to
extend its line to seize upon trade and
travel, its president says, will, upon the
completion Of an all-rail connection with
Washington, bring treasures into his COM
pany's Golfers which it would hardly be
safe to conjecture. Is not this road ad-
mittedly by the public an impediment to
that.accommodation now essential to traffic
and travel? Has it not been shown, over
and over again, that its management is con-
trclled by ga power behind the throne
greater than the throne itself which
power is the ruling genius in the Seaboard
road =?
How much of love for Virginia has
guided Mr.. Daniels management. Has it
been shown in its support of the York
River road, in which the State owns halt
million of stock or in its treaty with the
Seaboard and Bay route, whereby its
neighbor, the Petersburg and Weldon road,
in which the State has an interest, is cut
off from the Southern traffic concentrating
at Weldon
To sum up the whole matter-have not
the people of this State, and the interest
of the Commonwealth itself been made to
bear heavy and ruinous burthens. to feed
and fatten others, who draw from them
through combinations unwarranted by JUS
tice or reason?
Shall this policy of the R., F. and P.
road long continue Will the Legislature
sanction such oppression for day more2
We trust not.
The Railroad War.