The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-12-05
VIRGINIA RAILROADS.

ludes in hatterng terms TO the effect lateral
roads have upon the business of the main
stem of the road, and the caun'ry through
which they pass. These lateral roads are
generally constructed to accommodate mining
or manufacturing operations, and would Of
course become profitable in a country like
Virginia, where deposits of iron, copper, lime,
marble, and red sand stone, abound. Mr..
Barbour regrets that the financial condition
of his company, at present, will not allow that
it adopt the policy of the Philadelphia and
Reading Read, which from a languishing and
non-paying enterprise. has now become one
OF the most prosperous and wealthy compa-
MES in the country, by the encouragement it
gives to the development of the local wealth
Of the neighborhood, in the construction of
lateral roads, the establishment of factories,
| furnaces, &c., in the iron region and along
the streams, within reach of those feeders to
| the main stem.
| We expect the next ten years will work a
wonderful change in the railroad system of
| Virginia. The FIRST step in the accomplish
ment of this object, will be the enactment by
the Legislature of Free Railroad Laeo, al
loving any solvent parties to construct rail-
road through any portion Of the State, after
complying with the requirements of the law.
| Of course proper restrictions should be incor-
| porated into any such enactment, SO that the
rights of private individuals would be amply
protected aud return made to the State for
the privilege guaranteed. By the adoption of
liberal policy on the part of the Legislature,
the inauguration of general system of ail-
roads in the State would soon take place, and
the wealth which now lies unutiIized be speed
lily developed.
The geographical position of Virginia must
necessarily make her territory the bed of the
great leading lines connecting the North and
South and the immediate west and south west
with the Chesapeake bay and the Atlantic
ocean. To fully realize the advantages grow
ing out of these main lines, lateral reads, as
feeders, will necessarily be constructed It
Is only In this way tho minerals Of the State
can be developed, and the wonderful water
power utilized. The companies controlling
the through lines know better than any other
parties that 10 make their roads profitable
other than the through traffic must be relied
upon. The immediate country through which
they pass must be accommodated by branches
manufactures and mining encouraged, and
the general utilization of all natural advanta.
ges.
The people of Virginia have not the means
to avail themselves of these advantages. For
eign capital will have to come to our assist
ance and this would the more readily be
commanded by the adoption af free rail-
road law: Men of enterprise and compre.
llensiye business ideas, would see precisely
what would be required of them. They would
not have to run the gauntlet of the Lesisa
tnre eanh y---, l~~.;ssou ny GuIvfosool
impedimeuts, nor would the State be subiec
ted to the expense and decentralization insepa
rably connected with contending factions seek
ing and opposing specific charters.
The apprehension expressed by some o
tie Virginia papers that the State would By
the adoption of a free railroad law, come un.
der the control Of alien influences and parties
has nothing practical in it. We can dc
nothing ourselves. Why should we, then
by pursuing selfish and contracted policy
prevent others from doing what we are pow
erless to accomplish? We already see the
great benefits which the State and the people
are to derive from the introduction of foreign
capital in the production and completion OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio road We are.now
looking forward hopefully to the opening of
the James River and Kanawha Canal, and
the Inauguration Of active agencies for it's e.
nal completion. Indeed, SO deeply impressed
are our people with the conviction that we
can do nothing, and that, If left to our own
resources, the immense money that the State
has invested in that improvement, will forev
er be dead capital, that it is proposed to give
the $12,oo0,ooo to any parties who will
guarantee its completion within reasonable
time. The spirit is right, and it is the same
that would underlie the enactment of free
railroad law. We care not where the capital
comes from, SO we get the advantage of it.
| This question will doubtless be presented to
the Legislature in tangible form during the
present session. AS now advised, we believe
that body will consult the true interests of
the State by giving it a favorable considera-
ton. A broad craftsmanship which rises
above parties aud factions, should control in
its discussion. Nature has done for our State
ali that we could ask Let the representa-
tive body of the people be equal to the great
occasion, and ioitiate policy that will devel.
op the wonderful natural resources which
alone can be accomplished by liberal system
Of public Improvements.
| S. Y. r Rive learn from Col Snitler.
| one of the Directors of the S. V. r r., and