The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-04-13
aailroal Stfairs.
From ne Hasaiaoioa Chroaiele,
National Railroad Co. Of Maryland.


From ne HusAanoiOa Chronicle.
National Railroad Co. Of Maryland.
A friend has laid upon our table cory
Of the bill which lately passed the Legisla.
ture Of Maryland Incorporating the above
named railroad destined 70 supply another
line to New York and the West. This road
is the one referred TO BY correspondent in
another column. Ii is proposed 10 con.
struct this line through Rockville, twenty
miles from Washington, and through Har.
risburg. The minimum amount Of new
railroad necessary to be constructed is forty.
two miles. This, however, snpposes that,
in every case, existing lines can be amalga
mated with the movement 1t will be
necessary to form a connection with the
Baltimore and Ohio road at Silver Spring,
six miles from this city, and with the Bach
man Valley road, which IS now being built
from Hanover Junction, in PennsylYaria,
to Westminster, in Maryland.
This is the old 'sair line to New York
that has been struggling for existence for
ten years. The distances are as follows
Washington to Westminster, As miles to
Hanover junction, l7a to York, Pa, IL
to Columbia, IA; TO Reading, s59 to
Allentown, SO; to Easton, II TO New
York, 10; total. 264 miles. 1t avoids the
great cities OF Baltimore and Philadelphia,
and hence viii be Of greater value as a
direct fine. 1t penetrates the great coal
region OF Pennsylvania, aud hence II may
be relied on tor the constant supply Of our
city. 1t avoids also the large rivers, the
crossing ofwhich rendered the construction
of the old route so expensive. Il viii cost
not over $2,500,00 which will enable
Washington capitalists to control it, and to
rescue cur city from its commercial depen-
deuce on Baltimore.
The following communication appeared
in the same paper Of the 4th instant;
A charter has just been granted by the
Legislature Of Maryland, naming II. d..
Cooke, A. r, Shepherd, and others, as
commissioners. authorized to form n
company for the construction Of railroad
from Washington city to the pennsylvaaia
liue, through Montgomery, Howard, and
Carroll counties, Of this State. l ask for
space in your paper TO present in as brief
terms as the importance ofthe subject win
admit some Of the reasons why the people
Of your city and District should feel
strong interest in the Improvement now
brought within their power.
/ The idea Of constructing national
highway on this line Is not new one.
Nearly half century ago surveys were
made upon it for what was then called
''the buffalo road, !" it being obviously the
shortest and most natural line for bringing
the capital Of the country into direct con
nection with the heart Of the North. The
design then entertained Of making this road
n national turnpike fell through in eonse-
quence Of the opposition on constitutional
grounds to an expected appropriation in its
aid from Congress, but the project has been
revived from time to time. At the com
mencement ofthe rebellion 1t was perceived
how great an advantage would result from
having railroad on this line, and n
reconnaissance was made by Colonel Wright,
under orders of the Government, which
showed its praeticability in an engineering
point of view.
At one time, as am informed on high
authority, the order was issued at once 10
build the road as military necessity, but,
whether owing TO the energy and prompt.
tude displayed by the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, or to some other considerations,
immediate attention was withdrawn from
the project, and that opportunity was lost.
This historical recital may draw attention 10
the fact OF the great value Of such com
municaton in times Of domestic trouble or
foreign war that it would have saved to
the Government during the period Of the
rebellion many times the cost of its con.
struction scarcely admits of doubt
But it is to other advantages Of more
agreeable and peaceful nature, to result
from such an improvement, would invite
the attention Of your citizens.
The three counties OF Maryland which
this proposed road intersects, Montgomery,
Howard, and Carroll, contain q population
Of about 65, 600 persons, whose annual agri.
cultural products may be estimated, in round
numbers, at Eve millions Of dollars. 1t
seems fair to calculate that at least one
third Of this territory would naturally be
tributary to the railroad in question, and
become intimately connected with Wash
ington as its principal market, and the
point to which it would look for the supply
Of the goods and newspapers it would
largely demand Besides the products Of
the soil, which are sure greatly to increase,
Especially in the department Of butter,
milk, and market stnff generally when the
projected road is made, these counties
contain valuable mineral treasures, lime
and building stone, chrome, and an iron
ore Of peculiar richness and value may be
specified, whose use will contribute greatly
to the manufacturing industry which some
Of your city's wisest men are anxious 10
foster. But great as these resources un-
questionably are, still greater advantage
will be obtained by the direct access opened
up on the completion Of this road TO the
coal fields Of Pennsylvania. The inexhaus
,ible coal, lumber, and iron Of that great
State will find the readiest transit TO Wash.
ington through this channel.
The route proposed for the road runs
nearlyalongthe meridian from Washington.
The most difficult part of the first twenty
five miles is already made, extending from
the city TO Mr.. Blair's near Sligo-if we
may assume that q connection, obviously OF
mutual advantage TO The parties concerned,
can be arranged at that point. From
thence an undulating ridge extends to the
vicinity Of BTookyille, skirting the we'll.
known neighborhood of Sandy Spring, and
offering to host Of persons engaged in
| Government or private business in Wash.
ington numerous sites for residences, of
more inviting character than can be found
in any other direction. This superior at
tractiyeness results from the combined ad.
vantages Of elevated situation, healthy air,
pure water, and good society.
The first engineering difficulties are met
with on leaving Montgomery county,
through which the route passes for about
twenty miles but | was assured by Colonel
Wright that no part Of the way prese nted
any difficulty Of an extreme character.
/ Assuming that o nearly direct line will be