The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-01-07

charged for freight in this country, unless
Il has the benefit Of large passenger
travel over Il at the same time, As q
matter oflnyestment for the mere trans
portation Of heavy commodities, such as
the agricultural products Of country,
u railroad cannot successfully compete
with a canal; but when railroad has the
advantages Of q gerry large trdpel OUer Il, the
price of freight may be reduced to the
mere cost, or even below II II necessary,
and In this way 1t Is not difficult to imag-
Inc situation where freight on railroad
could be afforded at less than is cost on
a canal. The proposed improvement de-
rives It's importance from the fact Of Its
being the continuation Of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad, so us to form ultimately
continuous line Of railroad from the TIDE
water at Baltimore to Lake Erie at
Maumee.
BY an inspection Of the map inrefer.
ence to the part Of this road now the sub
ject Of remark, twill be found TO be
thanked on the East by the Sandy and
Beaver Canal intersecting the great Ohio
Canal at Bolivar, and the Ohio river at
the mouth Of Beaver, and on the West
by the Musklngum Lock and Dam Nayi.
cation, the Ohio Canal, and by tue Ma
tional road. 1t Is understood also that
charters are in existence for railroads on
either side Of tue line covered by your
grant, each leading In the same direction,
and designed to accomplish the same pur'
pose. From this statement II will DO per.
ceiyed, that for the trade Of the country
your road will have TO compete, with water
communication on either side, and It is
obviously necessary TO its success as 70.
CARDS profit, that It should be so
laid and arranged as TO become
the great avenue for the travel that
now passes over the National road
through GAINESVILLE. The travel IS
already very great, and would be incrcas.
cd by the facilities extended by a good
railroad, while II would constitute rev.
enue alike profitable to the proprietors Of
the road and the community generally,
because the profits from that source
would enable the company to transport
the surplus produce Of tho country ut
diminished expense. The instructions Of
the company and tho stipulations of It's
charter limited the selection Of the route
TO point somewhere on the saltwater,
and accordingly the undersigned has not
extended his examination beyond the val
ley Of that creek.
II seems to have been assumed that the
best route to the Lakes from Wheeling Is
along the valley Of the Saltwater Creek;
II seems to have been assumed, because
tho undersigned Is not advised that the
question has been determined from facts
derived from actual instrumental exami-
nations. -..... l.ta s.r....;g-.
Now 1t Is unQuestionably true that the
valley Of Saltwater offers TO the company
every facility for the economical construc-
ton OF q good road; and 1t may be the
best that can DO found after strict exami-
nation, but II would appear due TO the
high interests involved In the case that
this fact should be clearly established be-
fore the company adopt route so far
north Of the National Road as Is that row
contemplated down the valley OF Still.
water Greek. II Is most probable that
the valley of Wheeling Greek will be
found 10 be tho best route for road from
the Ohio; but when once having attained
the summit near Flushing road converg.
ing to the National Road, and ultimately
intersecting It at or below GAINESVILLE,
would be more profitable to It's proprietors,
useful to the public and Of course It's ac-
complishment worthy Of IN increased ex.
penditure. / am aware that the great
Western travel could be made to pass
oyer o road down Saltwater, thence
across to Coshocton, and down the Musk.
ingum to the National Road at GAINESVILLE,
but the distance would be so much in.
creased by this circuitous route, that at
the present rates charged on railroads II
would be cheaper for passengers to use
the stages on the turnpike direct to
Wheeling. These considerations so
strongly exhibit the propriety Of more
southern route, IL it can be obtained, that
the undersigned should not do justice
either to your interest or his own PROBES
sipnal character were he IN omit recon-
mending an examination Of It's practical
bility before you proceed 10 construct the
part Of the road now located in the valley
OF Saltwater. Works of this character
arc useful only as they serve the public
wants; the profit resulting from them dc.
Ponds on the extent OF their use, and
their existence is coextensiye with the
country in which they are located; and If
by q want Of proper forecast work Is not
now planned and located so as to accom-
modate the wants Of the community, the
accommodating wealth and increased intel
ligence Of the people will ut no distant
day induce the substitution Of n more per.
feet for the then existing imperfect avenue
Of trade. lift should result from actual ex.
animation that the valley of Saltwater Is
tic most eligible route, you can proceed
with more confidence In the execution of
your scheme; the fear of future rival
will be dlssipated; and persons disposed
10 mike n profitable Investment Of their
money will then take the stock with
confident assurance of ultimate success.
Assuming that the travel which now
passes over the National Road, together
with the known increase always induced
by railroads wherever they have
been established, will use this railroad,
theinumber Of passengers may safely be
taken at $4,000 per annum. M
7,bOO passengers per annumA 81 each Is $isO, 900
loo tons Of freight at q per ton is"... 1900
Gross receipts, .......................s i7l;0OO
FCrGl expenses 30 per cent on receipts. $1,000
Ne. revenue. !. $1,000
Which Is about III per cent on the
estimated cost. u ,-,.. D. ,....r.il X .,,
Saltwater Creek below Frceport was
not examined with reference 10 It's i'm.
provement by locks and dams, butan in.
spection of that part of the Greek above
Freeport, aided by the descriptions Of per.
sons familiar with the stream throughout
It's entire length, warrants the undersign-
Cd in deciding on the entire feasibility Of