Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-07-27
ItOMNl NIC.ATED.

From recent suggestions through the press
and outside circles it is obvious that consider
able effort is being made to create public seu-
timent in this community favorable to the sale
of the stock held by the corporation in the o.,
A. 4 NJ R. r. Co. to the authorities Of the
Pennsylvania Railroad in preference to the
Baltimore interests supposed to be in the mar
ket for the same stock. For one we cannot see
any Just ground for such preference, but on
the contrary regard it as detrimental to the true
interests of our city and it's relations to the tu
ture interior traffic with the country penetrated
by the o., A. & NJ R. R. and its connections.
Clearly it is the interest of the corporation to
tas much price for its stock as possible, but
IS there any sound policy involved in the propo-
sition to favour the pretensons Of the Pennsyl-
vania railroad to its purchase, and thereby
place both the great North and South Railroad
fines extending from the Potomac to the North
Carolina border in the same hands and under
control Of the same mammoth monopoly! The
last Legislature by the advice of Gov. Walker,
and under the necessities of the situation passed
a law to sell the States interest in the various
internal improvement companies As sufficient
capital for the purpose was not held In Virginia
the purchase of these stocks by outside capital
lists was necessarily involved by the Legislative
act referred to.
IF the stocks of the railroad companies is to
be held by foreign capitalists is it not clearly
the interest of the local communities to have
these placed in several hands so as to produce
competition and cheaper transportation over
the leading thoroughtares, instead of concen-
trating ownership and control in the hands of a
single party? Let us look at facts as they stand,
and not in the light of mere personal prcdllec.
tons 1t is the part Of craftsmanship to see
things before they happen,-any one can real
ize results when too late to correct mistakes.
It is known and conceded that the Pennsylva-
MIA Railroad have purchased control OF the
Richmond and Danyille Railroad, and are
now building their line from Alexandra to
Richmond This will give continuous rail-
way from Alexandria to Danvile, via Richmond.
The Lynchburg and Danville Railroad company
by means of Baltimore capital are constructing
railroad from Danville to Lynchburg. to form,
when completed part and parcel of the line
of the o., A. & NJ. r. r. from lIynchburg
to Alexandria, making also :; through line
from Alexandria to Danville. Is It sensible
to put both liues under control of the Penn
sylvania Company, and thus destroy the
competition which otherwise must prevail
between them. Baltimore capital is building
the Lynchburg and Danville Railroad, ard
is arranging for its extension through North
Carolina into the heart Of the cotton re-
gion. If the o., A: & NJ K. K. should pass
into the hands of the Pennsylvania interest it
could only be owned by it to l!9ynchburg, and OF
course all business from Danvlle would be cut
off, or brought by way of Richmond and Fred
ericksburg 1t is plain to sec the effect Of that
policy. The o., 4. L. NJ. r. r. would be
dyarfed by the break at 1ynchburg, and de-
nrived of its legitimate Southern travel and
tonnage
The Pennsylvania Company have heretofore
remained quiet and not manifested any pur-
pose to purchase the stock of the o., ~ 4 NJ
r. r. until it was seen that the latter was
about to secure through Baltimore capital
connection with Danyille. The purpose IS now
obvious. Having the road to Danvllle. via
Richmond, the Pennsylvania Company seek to
get control of the O., A. & NJ. K. K. so as to
prevent the competition of the Lynchburg and
Dauyille Railroad for Southern travel and
trade. Tt is plain enough to see where the in
terests Of the Pennsylvania Company lie, but 1t
is equally plain that the interests OF Alexan
dria do not lie in that direction. Let us have
the competition of these rival interests instead
of concentrating our through lines in q single
hand. Capitalization of commercial as OF polltl-
cal power carries in its train serious c0nseqen-
ces, and iu this particular may enure to the
great injury of our people Promises to obtain
power are seldom redeemed when power is Sc
cured, and never when the interests of the ap-
plicant lie in an opposite direction. five must
sell the corporation stock it is of course the in
terest of Alexandria to have the competition of
the Baltimore and Pennsylvania interests As
bidders to enhance the price, and for same
reason is it desirable to have the competition
maintained as public carriers instead Of having
the trade of the country pass through single
channel. \ TAX PAYER.
Alexandria July 9TH, 1871. .. -.