Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30
The Washington Depot Site.

The Senate Committee on the District of
Columbia held meeting on the 18th instant,
and heard an argument by President Garrett,
OF the baltimore and Ohio road, against the
passage of the House bill granting the
grounds at Sixth and B streets, Washington,
to the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Com
pany for depot. We regret that we have
not space for the whole discussion, but give
place to the following. In the course of his
remarks, Mr.. Garrett said -
L have no desire to crticise, except that it
becomes duty, as the effort has been made
to control this whole subject by surrounding
it with untenable charges and prejudice
against the Baltimore aud Ohio company
The tariffs of the Northern Central company
exceed those of the Washington Branch
The charges by this Washington Branch have
been uniformly moderate and reasonable, its
business has been attended to with diligence.
caro-, aud promptness, whilst its passengers
have been carried with singular success and
safety. When tho Potomac river was blocked
during the var the Baltimore and Ohio cons
pany, to aid the citizens of Washington in
distributing provisions, fuel, &C., sent carts
and horses aud men from Baltimore, without
any charge whatever. It acted literally and
effectively for the interests of this community.
hlf. Cameron. You sent your locomotives
and cars to the Valley of Virginia to prevent
carrying our troops hero
Mr. Garrett [ have heretofore, and On
marked occasions, corrected your misstate>
ments on this subject. You must remember
that the President of tho Baltimore and Ohio
company fully vindicated in discussion
with yourself before the Secretary of the
Treasury, now Chief Justice Chase and that
the Governor of Ohio, Governor Denison, J
not only distinctly endorsed, but approved.
and expressed his appreciation of our action
IN reference to the transportation of tho troops
In reference to our locomotives and cars in
Virginia, only such were there as were in the
regular course of business, and tax leave to
say that have always been convinced that the
engines aud cara of the Baltimore and Ohio
company lost and destroyed in Virginia were
lost through the inefficient management of the
War Department, under your administration.
hr. Cameron. Your Baltimore people
burnt our bridges On the Northern Central
road.
Mr. Garrett. People in the vicinity of
your road burnt your bridges. In reference
to tho 9th Massachusetts, regiment, on the
10Th of April, when all the officers of your
road abandoned their posts, those of the Bal
timoro and Ohio company: performed their
duty without regard to peril. The president
and officers Of the company personally man
aged the trains, and secured their safe and
successful transportation from our station to
Washington.
Now, sir, this gentleman is Senator. In
the Senate he Eliminates his antagonisms to
the Baltimore and Ohio company, and there
fore it is proper to take this opportunity to
present these facts. The Baltimore and Ohio
company asks Justice nothing else only the
liberty to serve the public on equal terms with
rival road. Will not obtaining equality be
beneficial to the public ? Look at the OPEN
ing of the Connelsville road A reduction
of twenty Eight per cent in the cost of freight
between Pittsburg and Baltimore was at ouce
secured. You will find, when the Metropolis
tan road is completed, similar results will