The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-11-09
The Tunnel-The Citizens Speak.


We publish below Il paper signed by
number of extraordinarily large property
holders the City Council
to vote 100000 to the construction Of
tunnel under Church Hill with the view of
securing to Richmond the very best facili-
ties OF shipment and transhipmcnt from
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad to ship,
and uice uersd. The recommendation ~
very much guarded more so than we deem
essential. Certainly No man can object to
the measure, protected so thoroughly.
This paper was not extensively circu-
lated. II was handed to those gentlemen
who were casually met in the centre Of
business. Very few declined to sign it.
rGc wonder is that there were any. But
here i, paper signed by some Of tho most
rigid economists in the city, and by the
best known property holders. 1t also In.
cludes the principal man ufacturers, whose
interests are large, and who understand
well what is best for the promotion of the
W. liarc Of Richmond. such men may we'll
speak for Richmond; and we should think
upon matter of expenditure for the good
OF the city their judgment might be safely
taken rs the voice of the people.
We commend the paper TO the consiGera~
ton of the Council and the city of Rich
nond:
To the City Council:
In the opinion OF the undersigned, tax.
payers in the city of Richmond, it is mat
ter oil immense importance to the business
and growth of the city that there should
be effected the closest and most perfect
connection between the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad and Underwater at Richmond.
They are further of opinion that it is Of
great importance that the line which shall
be used by the through trains in the event
OF the extension of the road to any other
point on tide-water should pass through
the city by our shipping point, and not
diverge from point west Of this city, so
that Richmond may have fair and equal
chance in any competition that may arise
for the western tonnage; and they are Of
opinion that instead of opening Union
| street to the Dock, and including Dock
street, as reasonably requested by the rail-
road company, to enable them to lay their
track to the water, it would be far better
for the city to pay the cost Of opening
tunnel under Church Hill, since the CON-
pauy have indicated their willingness in
that event to adopt that route, for the rea-
son that said line, if adopted, would with.
| draw the great trains of the company from
| the busiest and most frequented streets
| and contiue them to line which will give
| the least interruption to business, while it
Will Afford the most expansive accommodate
| ton to the trade both In extent of ground
| for the stocking of railroad trains and in
long river front.
We therefore respectfully recommend to
| the City Council to pass resolution with
] out delay binding the city to pay to the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company
900, 600 of the six per cent. bonds OF the
city, having thirty yesrs to run, 80 soon as
the said company shall have constructed a
tunnel under Church Hill and completed a
railroad connection between their present
depot in Richmond and the river, provided
said company will agree and bind itself
never to discriminate against Richmond in
favor Of any other point in its rates either
for passengers or freights; that in the
event OF Its determining to extend its road
east 1t will agree TO extend it from some
point east of the said tunnel !; and that ii it
should ever hereafter build road from any
point on its line west of Richmond and
east of Gordonsyille to another point on
Underwater than the one referred to above.
or make such connection by any other !!
road, 1t will refund to the city OF Rich
mond the amount that the city now con-
tributes for the building of the tunnel.
And the undersigned further recommend
to the Council to grant to the Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad company the right to lay :.