The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-18
Railroad Schemes and Monsters.

Railroad Schemes and Monsters.
1t is an encouraging fact that railroad
CORPORATIONS and railroad speculations are
directed to Virginia. It shows that there
is in this State something to attract atten-
tion-something to deyelop-some riches
some travel and transportation-and the
prospect of much profit to railroads. We
know no one particular sign OF the
of Virginia that Is more en-
couraging and pleasing to us.
With reference to the plans and pur'
poses of the different corporations that are
said to be looking to Virginia, we know
nothing whatever. We are the part isan of
none of them. We are the advocate of
Virginia aud of Richmond, and as such we
bail with delight every movement that
will facilitate trade and promote the social
and commercial intercourse Of Virginia IN
any and all directions.
We published yesterday an article from
the Roanoke Times reciting the rumors
that were af,oat concerning the plans and
movements in Virginia ofsthe Baltimore
and Ohio and the Pennsylvania Central
railroads. We are .uninformed upon the
subject, and cannot say which of the ru-
mors are true or which are not. But GER
tainly if they are all true, IL is very graft.
fyins to u.s., ANY measure which Will expe-
dite travel and trade in Virginia may be re-
garded as good for us.
We are not afraid Of railroads, nor are
III IF
sprung up in this country within a few
years whose profession is that Of railroad
ing. They are necessity-tbey are an In
evitability. Without them the country
could not well get along. They know all
about railroad economy and philosophy.
They know the point of the railroad tariff
which produces the most profit, and at the
same time the greatest amount OF pubic
convenience and benefit for the point that
produces the one inevitably produces the
other. We therefore fear not these people.
They are not bound to any city or commu-
nifty. They 90 for themselves. Self-interest
is not bad guide in railroading. 1t Is, In
deed, the best of all guides. The most
prosperous railroad, we believe, is that
which confers most public benefit.
Therefore we are not Of the number OF
those who regard GARRETT as monster,
or THOMPSON as a ghoul, or MCCLURE as
a thug. We welcome them all. Come on,
gentlemen form your lines, and increase
the speed and the facilities of trade and
travel, and if we cannot take care Of our
selves, then let lis 60 "down among the
dead men," We are not afraid of you.
Richmond is not. We have much more
reason to fear the sectionalism, personal am-
bition, and inetllciency of our own system OF
railroading, with it's State patronage and
State control, so productive of incompe-
tency. sloth, and impolicy.
There is q disease c. nervous apprehen-
sion which has afflicted Virginia, and seems
to be spreading in North Carolina. Itseems
to be one OF boundary. The men from be-
yond the boundary have it-nobody this
side is afflicted with it. Anybody this side
may with entire safety preside over rail-
road and receive his salary. Everything
goes right under him. But the moment
anybody outside the limits of purity and
fidelity gets hold of railroad, the monster
begins to devour the people!
There is q vast deal of humbug in this
idea. 1t is strongly maintained by men
who aspire to preside over railroads. 1t is
not at all necessary to the public defence and
general welfare. We much prefer the skill
and management of experts in railroading
to the superintendent of mere aspirants
to Office, who know no more about rail-
roads than an Cjibbeway Indian does Of
DARwIN's theory. ....
There is good deal of throwing Of dust
in the eyes of the people in this mat
ter for personal advantage. And also in
the cutlery about railroads being oaoned by
TirgtnianS. It is great error: Vrgi-
mans don't ecant to oacn them. They
are not profitable and this day, could
the Virginians who own railroad stocks sell
them out at something worth writing a
receipt for, they would be sold to some
body-nay, anybody. Yirginians want all
the money they can get to pursue their &C.
cupa.ions with. They have none to spare to
works of public improvement and we
say but the truth when we say that if
people from the North, or anywhere else,
will buy our railroads and "run" them,
they will do the State infinite good. They
will bevery apt to manage them better
than we do, and they will give us
capital that will be exceedingly useful In
helping US to build up Virginia and pro-
mote the personal independence of her citi-
zens. Indeed, through mortgages, north
ern capitalists have strong hold upon all
our railroads at this time, and, instead OF
diminishing, that hold is increasing. we
do not regret it. We think the railroad en-
terprises are one of the. conduits through
which the excess of capital in the NoT.n IS
TO flow into our nearly exhausted eouers,
and help to equalize the money STANDARD ID
the nation. M.
So we shall hail all newcomers. We
), ,ro .,,reindices against none, and we. are
NC nartissns Of none. Virginia has no
! hina TO fear fl ON the increase Of railroad
c,c;,ities, The interest of railroads and
their owners are sufficient protection.
Their highest success is only achieved by
securing the greatest advantages to the peo-
pie, and that Is the best of safeguards. I,
The Philadelphia Day would do well TO
confine its editorials to subjects concerning
which it knows something. When it says,