The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-02-23
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.


We published last week the letter OF Gen.
Wickham in reply to the structures OF the
Richmond Wing, under the caption of the
"Three Monsters" That was sufficient to
meet the unjust and uncallcd for attack of
the Wing. But the following letter from the
President of the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail-
SO frank in its declarations, and indicative of
views and purposes so comprehensive that we
cannot, in justice to our sense Of right and
the interest of the State withhold it from our
readers:
NEW York, Feb. Is, 1871.
Gen. Wm. C. W1ckham, Vice-Presidsnt C. and o.
r. r. Co., Richmond, Va:
Dear SRI notice in the Richmond WAig, of
of the 9th inst, an article headed ''Three Mon
sters,' which is mostly devoted 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 who has perso-
nal luminosity against the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad Company rather than by who has
the true interest of Virginia in view, since the
extensions contemplated in the bill now pending
in the Legislature will be much more to the ad-
vantage of your State than they possibly can be
to any other interest
expect that there will be an immense traffic
over the Chesapeake and Ohio road. It's low
grades and easy curves in crossing the Allegha-
MES must bring large per centage of the tonnage
from the lower Ohio Valley over this line to the
Atlantic seaboard, which, together with the vast
amount of local business in coal, iron, salt, &c,
will demand the most direct line, with the low
est possible grades, from the point where the
chnS hp Jamea In tidewafnr Hnuoa
this company asks the right to build road from
a point on the main line east of Coyington to
Richmond on the low grades to be obtained on
that line.
In regard to the right to build a line from some
point not west of Stanton to point on the Pc
tomac river. above the city of Washington, I GER
tainly cannot see how any Vrginian could OBJ
ject to this; but can see how the people of Bal
timore could do it, fol the reason that the Balti-
more 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 important points
west and the national capital 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 one can be SO blind as
not to be able to see this.
AS to the branches of 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 inter-
est of the company to drop its coastwise tonnage
at the nearest water that will float it, which is at
Richmond, it is necessary to take its tonnage
that is bound for foreign ports to point Were
it can meet ships requiring greater depth of
water than there is can be secured at Rich
mond. You know very we'll what my views are
in regard to Richmond. 1t has one of the best
water-powers in the Union, fne healthy eli
mn and sufficient denth of atarfo MANLY
all vessels engaged in the coastwise trade: but it
has not a sufficient depsh of water for deep sea
vi iureg ga commerce. NOW, while it should and
will be the greatest manufacturing, and likely
financial, centre in Virginia, if not the whole
South, it can never expect large foreign trade.
Insmy opinion, a town on deep water at the near
est point to Richmond where it can be obtained
will add to rather than take away from its pros
perity.
One Of your papers often speaks of the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad Company as 'sforeign
corporation. Just why it should do so am at
loss to know. The road begins and ends in the
two Virginias, and | have not, and l not
aware that any of the directors, have any inter
est in any railroad between New York and Vir
ginia. Those of the directors who reside in this
city are not building the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad to build up New York. New York can
take of herself And, furthermore, | have
three dollars invested in Virginia where have
one invested here, and whether this road should
come to New York or not, do not suppose that
it would affect my property enc dollar either
way
What I wish to DO is to build up one Of the best
| the Atlantic seaboard and that road is in Vir
ginia, which | think is fortunate for that State
as this road must be the means Of building up
along its entire line an immense interest that can
not but pay tribute to the State, and 1 very
glad that it is SO.
While we ask for this legislation, believing it
to BE for the interest of the company, are
not disposed to urge it unless it meets the approx
al of the Legislature, as we are confident that it
is quite as much for the interest of the State as
for the interest of the Company.
Very truly yours,
C. P. HUNTINGTON, President.