Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1872-09-13

lthe main stem and Washington Branch, is
now ballasted to Upper Marlboro on the
main stem, about fourteen miles from
Bowie; the ''turn table" at Marlboro, is
now in, and as the want of this only has
for some time delayed that part of the road
being opened, trains were yesterday started
from that town. A gravel pit has been
opened at Marlboro to ballast that por-
tion of the road south of the town; and
there has been purchased at Talberts', a
station, about ten miles further south, and
will be at once opened. Two others have
been secured in Charles country to the
POpe's creek terminus, and as all our en-
ergies will now be directed to the immedi-
ate completion of the lower end of the
route, along which there has been some
complaint of delay, we con promise its
opening to Pope's Creek by January 1, 1878.
But reflection will satisfy even those who
have complained most that we have exer-
cised sound policy in completing first
the lines nearer Baltimore and Washington,
which would give larger returns upon the
heavy investment ofthe whole work. When
completed, as it soon will be, it is our pur-
pose to extend the greatest facilities and
inducement for business along the whole
line. We porpose to run two trains daily
each way between Bowie and Pope's Greek,
connecting at the former place with Balti-
more and Washington trains, one of which
each way will be fast and exclusively
passenger train, and the other will be for
freight, with passenger coaches attached.
While these very liberal facilities thro'
sparsely populated, and of late years, be-
cause of the scarcity of labor, not very pro-
ductive country, may not pay the compa-
ny at first, we consider it a wise economy
and sound policy to build up future pay
ing trade by encouraging fruit and other
culture, and increasing business generally,
the ife-blood of railways. We hold that
the wise course for all corporations, de-
pending on the custom of others, is to en-
cite business by the most liberal policy.
This will embrace numerous stations along
the line, and at as low rates as can be
maintained. In this connection, it must
be remembered that the present rates of
freight are only temporary, upon bust
ness which we are doing at great inconve-
nience and delay to the road, and only for
the great and general accommodation of
the people of the country through which
it passes. It must, also, be remembered
that the present charges for drayage in
Baltimore will be very largely reduced
when the completion of the tunnel will al
low the delivery of freight at our regular
depot, instead of, as now, at suburban
station, some distance out of the city.
The last report having detailed so COM
pletely the character of the road, it's grad
ing, bridging superstructure, &C., we deem
it unnecessary to refer again to it, further
than to say that the track of the entire
length of line is laid, the ballasting all COM
pleted, except from Marlboro to Pope's
Creek, and platform and way station hou-
ses are being erected.
The equipment has been, like the con-
struction, first-class in every respect. We
have at this time: Passenger cars, the best
make, 81; to arrive, g.; baggage cars, 10 !;
box freight cars, so; and to be delivered
Immediately, so more; Gondola and flat
cars, 1876; hand-cars for track and repair
men, 90; engines now on road, 16; order
ed for immediate delivery, 5; and cattle
cars, ordered, so.
Our line of road passing Immediately by
the estate Cattle Scales,'' it is our purpose
to give particular attention and the most
liberal inducements to the cattle trade,
which is already so large and greatly in
creasing each year in Baltimore. The OBJ
v1ous fact that our advantage of being a.
BILE to unload cattle Immediately into the
State yard would give to us this carrying
trade from the grazing section of Virginia,
which passes thorugh Washington, has in
duced an effort, in the interest of another
road, to require the cattle to be unloaded
in Washington, under the pretence of be-
ing there fed and watered. But when it is
remembered that the yard at Baltimore is
less than two hours distant in time from,
Washington, and that Baltimore being one
OF the largest home and distributing mar
kets in the country, all cattle coming to
the city are unloaded and refreshed here,
it is unreasonable to suppose that this ad-
ditional annoyance, expense and delay, will
be put upon drovers and dealers in Wash
ington, merely that another road, having
less advantages than ours, should be bene-
fitted.
Connection and Contract with Southern
Maryland Railroad.
AS we have labored earnestly for the sue
cess four road, so in the interest of South
ern MARYLAND which hac bna7, bera+oforo