The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-27
-
GENERAL RAILROAD LAW.
LET us BE WARNED IN TIME.

LET US BE WARNED IN TIME.
Virginia is presented to certain class of spec
ulatiyc people in this country as the carcass of &
war horse on the battlefield is TO the vultures,
aud We find that in the next Legislature the rail-
road war; which originated in an effort on he
part of aliens to control the State and seize her |
works, ie to be revived. We find both State |
Journal and Enquirer calling for n free railroad |
law, which means Northern domination over ,
Virginia works. Let ia be warned in time and |
put our heel as people, upon the theory ola
FREQ railroad law. Its application would be the
ruin of the State.
This quotation from the Norfolk Pirgi1,ian
aptly represents the cause which it cham
rions. 1t is an appeal to the tneanest and
most narrow prejudioes. Ignoring reason and
common sense, it paints from imagination
the true issue. 1t holds up bug-bcar
and names it Stree railroad law" and calls
on the mob " to put our heel upon it, be-
cause it is the effort OF aliens to control
the State and seize her works, and bring her
under Northern domination"
What is q general railroad la,o2 Why
simply permit to all men gcho acant TO en-
bark in rcilroad building 10 put IN their
money, enterprise and skill, and thus girc to
our people better facilities for tsauel and
transportation. They can organize, buy
the right of way, and build their road
without being compelled to submit to
the extortions of that piratical crew who
infest the halls Of legislation and the
lobby, waiting to be bought off or to be
bought on, when any measure is proposed
which promises to benefit the people. Such
n 'aw describes the manner in which the
public interest is to be protected while pri-
yate rights are exercised freely and protita-
b.v. It can harm no ono. It promises
to the people Of Virginia vast and incalcu.
liable benefits. Its opponents can give no
GOOD reason for their opposition. None
but selfish and greedy monopolists, blinded
by their own narrow conceits, or those
who are utterly ignorant of the laws of
trade and social growth do oppose ii I'M
less in obedience to supposed local or
personal interests.
Il is the people who demand better rail.
road facilities, against the ,fe,S who have
only their personal and local aims to sub
serve. But Norfolk is blind to her true
interests If she opposes this law. If she
ever becomes a large city, as we greatly
hope she may, it must be as Virgini. is de-
yeloped into rich and prosperous State.
This can only be done by perfected sys-
tenn Of main railway lines aud feeders
which shall make our rich valleys and
pains and the measureless wealth of our
mountains accessible 10 population, capt.
tai and enterprise. We are now just be.
ginning this great work. We want many
narrow-gauge roads as feeders to cur main
lines, built during the next few years. The
way must be made easy to build them by
removing every possible obstacle.
Our neighboring State of Maryland has
placed such law as we now ask upon her
statute book. Ask her distinguished Gov.
ernor, Bowie, and her enlightened citizens,
through whose influence the law was en-.
acted, If sic has passed into alien hands
in consequence. They will tell You thai
its good effect is everywhere felt in tie
quckened enterprise, revived trade, and
the rapid appreciation Of her lands.
Pennsylvania has ageneral railroad law
and her mighty system OF roads has grown
up under it. Illinois has tried it, and she
has intellectually been benefited by It's ope
ration. 1t is true that an English compa.
ny built her principal railroad, but who
received the benefit? The settlers, whose
lands went from 60 to $50 per acre, ant
the State, which annually collects enough
to pay half its expenses from single cor
poration! Away with the narrow and con
temptible spirit, which puts the solid inter
ests of the people at the disposal of mise
rable clique of yultures and .ackals who
lie in wait at the doors Of the Legislature,
or Of selfish and greedy monopolists who
would condemn achois state TO baybarisn
rather than to see a Tieal corporation e,ios
gpo5tion of its trade.
The farmers, the manufacturers, the
business men Of Virginia demand ibis nsea
s,0e, and Mey aciR haze ii in spite Of tht
mercenaiy, bigoted, and Sc fish opposition
which has thus far succeeded in thwartine
the will of tho people. Let every man whC
has dollar at stake in Virginia, unite will
us to secure the prompt passage of tn,
Maryland railroad law, or its equivalent
at an early juncture Of the coming session
Governor Walker viii recommend it in hi
forthcoming message.
Watch every member who does no
come up to the cause Of the people in thi
particular. Let every man who sells hi
vote to the monopolists be branded as
traitor to tho beat interests of Virginia
The time has passed for the interests o
100000 people 70 be sacrificed to eratitl
the prGadices Of few helpless old foges
who have nothing left but their baseles
pretensions, and their silly pride Of caste