The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-07-05
Railroads in Cities-.Richmon1d.

authorities with railroad companies in
measures for diminishing the conflict be-
tween the ordinary slreet-commerce and
railroad trains. II had been found out long
ago that such conflict was alike objection
able to the railroads and the municipalities.
But the railroads finding, in many cities,
great difficulty in providing ways to avoid
this conflict, We have seen cities growing
very impatient and placing restrictions bo'h
inconyenient and offensive upon them. Inc
consequent disagreements and contests De-
tween cities and railway companies nave
been numerous. Yet all see that 1t is alike
to the interest of those companies and cities
that the conflict between the ponderous rail-
way traffic and the continuous strect.cotn-
mcrce of cities should be avoided. There
would be no trouble were it not for the ex-
rensiyeness aud difficulty of tunneiling
cities; for the tunnel is the only remedy Tor
the evil, save that occasionally the going
round city affords a partial relief. And
yet even the going around densely-popu-
lated town may be only temporary strata
gem. For il the town is d prosperous one
it will soon grow out TO the railway Track
and reproduce all the troubles OF Interior
cncc between the different sorts OF trtnS-
portation.
But the art of tunnelling and accommoda-
ting the plain interests of business and city
locomotion is constantly improving, and we
have seen of late very remarkable displays
of ingenuity and the expenditure of great
wealth in promoting this object. We have
before us the yoluminous history of the con-
caplion and completion of the grand tunnel
Ibout two miles long, under Baltimore Tor
the accommodation Of four lines of railway
giving them access to tide-water and also pass
aye for their through trains; securing on one
hand the expeditions movement of trains, and
on the other safety to surface loconiotion IN
the cities. This is the grandest work Of the
kind in the Union, and reflects the highest
credit upon the companies concerned (mainly
the Pennsylvania Central Company and
their engineers and officers. A tunnel also
takes the Baltimore and Potomac line under
,srt OF Washington city. For the want
of such means of getting through Baltimore
;IIc Baltimore and Ohio railroad Is subjected
TO much annoyance in putting its through
business through the city. A few nights
since disastrous accident happened to one
of lis passenger trains in the heart Of the
city. At night the corporation allows the
company to use Il locomotive in tue streets,
and the train that was wrecked was thus
moved.
This mode of relieving railway lines and
cities from cntangIementS and perils of run
nuy railroad lines upon the surface through
cities must become general, and must be
adopted here rs well as elsewhere.
When first alluding TO the subject we con-
graduated our citizens that one Of the great
81 dclormi,es of their city had very great
public advantage for us. as some colnpensa-
lion for lis many deiormities. That is the
valley of Shockoe creek. II is an uncovered
tunnel, continuing from The northern border
10 the river. TO avoid crossing the principal
business streets, tunnel is yet to he made
a.
With that much tunnclliny, we may forever
settle the very difficult question Of the con-
h,c Of the local transportation with the
passage of railway trains. The condition OF
things is beautifully adapted to the happicst
permanent arrangement OF arriving and
departing freghtand passenger trains. We
suppose il will not be inconsistent with
practical good SENSE and the public interests
To saw that Grace street will never be con-
linucd across Adams's valley and that tue
whole space of that valley from Franklin TO
Broad streets may be appropriated to a
Grand union depot, in which all railwa,
trans coming to and departing from this
city could be- accommodated, where all pas
srnycrs and all baggage could be transferred,
and AL railroad interchange could tie con-
Quoted with The advantage Of the most per-
irrl facilities.
Therefore this city is sinsularly blessed.
The whole question OF conflict of transpor-
talion and travel MAY be disposed Of III the
!riclcst time at the most moderate cost.
This is dcslcratum We cannot oHcr-esti-
mate. We wish to impress ii upon the peo-
pie of Richmond and the railway companies.
We need not say that the people will not
l., content to have their main thoroughiares
iInycrseu 10y railways. The Inconvenience
oi this is already seen, and is the subject of
serious complaint. Ii must become more
and more a matter Of complaint as the city
grows.
The people of Broad street are in state |
of mcpient insurrection against the Fred |
triclsburg road, and we shall soon have
another uprising against the same road for
crossing the three greatest thoroughfares Of
the city. Neither of these discomforts will |
he long continued. The railway company
itself will find its advantage in disseminating
them. Now, then, there is ample space in
the centre OF the city convenient for all pur-
poses absolutely rafting to be appropri-
ated. and may be appropriated to the en-
during advantage and great economy 'of
the railroads centering in this city.
We can see no good objection to this mode
of quoting the whole question of the COM
ing and going of railways in this city. But
there are SO very many people in Richmond
who never fail to look at every PROPOSE
ton with IN irrepressible hostility that
prompts them always to seek objections to
it, and at the same time to ignore all ITS al
yanta%e,, that a man who wants to ma ole
position to this suggestion will not have 10
20 fur 10 be gratited.
As time increases difficulties LII all scheilieS