The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-02-07
Strong Arguments,

lile strongest anu inoSt CoucIuSifo aiSu-
ments in favor of the direct line of road
running North and South, through Rich
mond, that have yet appeared, was
advanced by the Enquirer yesterday
morning, and should convince every un-
preudiced mind that the real interests of
the State demand the granting of the
charter asked by the Alexandria, Frede-
ricksburg and Richmond road 1t says:
But let us pause and look into the facts
as they stand, and have obtained ever
since Mr.. Moncure Robinson secured the
control Of the Richmond, fredericksburg
and Potomac road, and the ownership of
the Seaboard road How many Car loads
of freight have come during that time
from the Carolinas and Georgia into Pc
tersburg and Richmond? Why is it that
the tonnage table of the Petersburg road
which connects with the railway connec-
tions of those States at Weldon, show such
miserably small figures Why is it the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
way and through freghts are but little in
excess of the local tonnage of the Norfolk
and Petersburg road? The answer may
be found in the editorial columns Of the
Wing in the days gone by, and it is that
Moncure Robinson holds the key which
locks the door to through traffic. We ap-
peal from Philip to-day to Philip of the
past year.
Traffic ou thethrough Northern line is to
be stopped before it reaches the State and
diverted to New York and Baltimore by
lines owned by individuals, not our peo-
ple because it might, perchance, pass
through her territory, thus forbidding to
all her cities, save Norfolk, chance to OBJ
tain even the chance of nibble.
The very sight Of train Of freight cars
would SO gladden. the eyes of the people
of Caroline and Spottsylvania, that they
would petition the Governor for thanks
giving day.
Apply this principle to the Chesapeake
and Ohio road, and to that grander ia-
provement the A., NJ. and G. road, and
where would they be in eight and forty
hours thereafter ?
\ Is there no other interest to be subserv-
ed but Norfolk's? Was the A., M. and 0.
road authorized for her benefit alone
But if so, is she all of Virginia? Will she
claim that all and everything shall be
closed up to her sister cities of Petersburg,
Richmond and Alexandria ? Are they
not entitled to chance to the yield OF
those magnificent trade marts reached by
the A., M. and O. road The recent au-
thority afforded that road to extend a
branch into Richmond will answer Are
they not equally entitled to share with
Norfolk the trade of the Carolinas, and
Georgia, and Alabama, of which they have
never before tasted ? And shall poor
Fredericksburg and Alexandria be forever
left out in the cold?
The trade and traffic to which this capi-
tai, and her sister. city OF Petersburg, un-
der equal chances, are entitled, are
switched off at Weldon, not to be stopped
in Norfolk, but to swell the receipts of a
New York steamship company, or to feed
| the Unsuitable appetite of the Bay steam
ers. 'Tis well to cut off this trade in
North Carolina--to pass it over road in
which our State or people have no inter-
est--to laden ships owned by New York
ers, whose power to defeat the efforts OF
| Norfolk to establish a direct European
! trade is boosted. But tits treason to pass
| it through our Eastern cities, who, per-
chance, might, in the transit, pick up a
cIumb; and through the ancient and hon.
orable city of Alexandria, where more
crumbs might be secured, because the
bulk, which their capacities could moi
stop and use, may Fit away to parts un-
| known.