The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-18
chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Go.

NEW okh, i GU. III, IciI.
Gen. WINS. c. WIckham. Vice President
G. and O. X. X. Co., Richmond, Va:
Dear Sir,-I notice in the Richmond
Wing, of the 9th inst, an article headed
Three Monsters which is mostly de-
voted to the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad
Company. Without quoting any part of
the article, will say that it seems to have
been written by some one who has per-
sonal luminosity against the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad Company rather than by
one who has the true interests Of Virginia
in view, since the extension contemplated
in the bill now pending in the Legislature
will be much more to the advantage Of your
State than they possibly can be to any other
Interests.
/ expect that there will be an immense
traffic over the Chesapeake and Ohio road.
Its low grades and easy curves in crossing
the Alleghanies must bring large per cent
age of the tonnage from the lower Ohio
valley over this line to the Atlantic sea-
board, which, together with the vast
amount Of local business in coal, iron, salt,
&C., will demand the most direct line, with
the lowest possible grades, from the point
where the road reaches the James river to
tidewatcr. Hence this company asks the
sight to build road from point on the
main line east Of Corington to Richmond
on the low grades to be obtained on that
line.
In regard 10 the right to build line
from some point not west Of Staunton to a
point on the Potomac river, above the city
of Washington, certainly cannot see how
any Nirginian could object to this but
can see how the people of Baltimore could
do it, for the reason that the Baltimore and
Ohio road, extending, as it does, through
its connections, to many Of the most i'm
portant towns in the great West, could
control the business between all the i'm
portant points west and the national capi-
tai by discriminating in favor of their long
line Of road and against the short line
south Of Washington, over which we
should be compelled to send our business
to reach the capital. l think no one can
be SO blind as not to be able to see this.
AS to the branches or extensions from
some point at or near Richmond to deep
water, would say, If the company needs
them, Virginia needs them equally as much
While it is for the interest of the company
to drop its coastwise tonnage at the nearest
water that will float it, which is at Rich
mond, it is necessary to take its tonnage
that is bound for foreign ports to u point
where it can meet ships requiring greater
depth of water than there is or can be Sc
cured at Richmond. You know very well
what my views are in regard to Richmond.
1t has one of the best water-pOwcrs in the
Union, fine, healthy climate. and Il sutfi-
cicnt depth Of water for nearly all vessels
engaged III the coastwise trade but it has
not sufficient depth Of water for a deep
sea or foreign commerce. Now, while it
should and will be the greatest manutac-
turing, and likely financial, centre in Vir-
ginia, if not in the whole South, it can
never expect q large foreign trade. In
my opinion, town on deep water at the
nearest point to Richmond where it can be
obtained will add to rather than take away
from its prosperity.
One of your papers often speaks Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company as
"foreign corporation" Just why it
should do 50, am at loss to know. The
road begins and ends in the two Virginias,
and have not, and | am not aware that
any Of the directors, have any interest IN
any railroad between New York and Wiz.
ginia. Those Of the directors who reside
in this city are not building the Ches.
apeake and Ohio railroad to build
up New York. New York can take care OF
herself. And, furthermore, l have three
dollars invested In Virginia where I have
! should come to New York or not, do moi
suppose that it would affect my property
one dollar either way.
What wish to do is to build up one O
the best trunk lines Of railroad from thu
great West to the Atlantic seaboard, ant
that road is in Virginia, which / thinl
is fortunate for that State, as this road mus
be the means of building up along its entire
line an immense interest that cannot bu
pay tribute to the State, and am very glad
that 1t is so.
-. While we ask for this legislation, believ-
sgt to be for the interests OF the company
We are not disposed to urge it unless it
meets me approval of the Legislature, as
we are confdent that It is quite as much
terest OF the company.
Very truly yours,
--Ea 81 p HnxTIScTnN President