The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-01-01
RAILROAD MATTERS.

RAILROAD MATTERS.
The labored arguments of the Wheel
ing Intslhqencer concerning the inexpe-
diency, the illegality, the general wick
edness and total depravity of building
railroads under the provisions of "the
Boesei Law" do not seem to have had
much effect upon the voters OF Cincin-
natl. Last Saturday vote was taken
10 Cincinnati on proposition to sub
scribe one and a quarter million dollars
for the construction Of railroad along
the bank OF the Ohio river from Cincin.
natl to a point opposite Huntington,
West Virginia, where connection is to
be made with the Chesapeake and Ohio
road. Out OF total vote OF 1851, the
subscription was approved by 1884; or
about four votes in favor Of the propo.
sition to one against. Other cities and
counties along the route have already
made their subscriptions. New Rich
moud has voted $4,000, Scioto county
5000, 900, Ironton $4,000. 1t is pro-
posed to extend the road to Bellsire,
and 80 Gallipolis voted 100000 and
Washington county $4,000 toward
the construction of what is to be known
"a the "Ohio Valley Railroad. 1t is
certainly very sad that the people OF
these counties have not read the Wheel
ing IntslLgencer, and in their dark and
benighted condition are rushing head
long-to build a railroad!
There is in this project, the success
of which seems almost assured, some
thing of interest to the citizens OF
Wheeling. The Cincinnati E"q'0rfr OF
last Friday contains card from the
executive committee OF the corporators
Of the proposed railroad in which 1t
is said that parties are now ready
(who are claimed to be entirely respon-
slble) to contract for the building OF
this road, and will also bind themselves
to extend it to Bellaire, which will give
US a railroad to Pittsburgh all the way
along the northern margin OF the ONO
river" Can any of the Wheeling mer>
chants doubt what will 6e the effect OF
this road upon the trade they now have
with the river counties In Ohio and
West Virginia? Shippers on both sides
of the river will seek the railroad, es-
pecially if navigation continues to be so
uncertain and 80 frequently interrupted
"a it has been during the past few
wears; the road being largely built by
Cincinnati capital will be under Gin
cinuati control; the railroad tolls across
the Bellaire bridge will contribute to
prevent shipments to this side OF the
river; and thus a large portion Ct the
trade we have heretofore had with
points between Wheeling and Par
kersburg will be deserted to
either Cincinnati or Pittsburgh.
Our citizens may therefore have
the privilege OF witnessing the growth
and Improvement Of Ohio towns in our
vicinity while our own city remains
in statu quo or else retrogrades before
the superior enterprise and business &C.
,ivity OF our neighbors. A few years
ago the people Of Wheeling would have
laughed at the idea that Bellaire could
ever become their business rival, but
the railroad facilities which that town
has enjoyed during the past ten years
have given the place a wonder
ful impulse and, should its
prosperity continue, a. it probably will
if the Ohio Valley railroad be com
pleted, another ten years will give Bell
aire population but little interior to
that OF Wheeling.
Were were informed last Monday by
parties who seemed to know, that the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad company
seriously contemplates, if it has not
already determined. to tunnel the hill
between Boggs' Run and Wheeling
creek, striking the line Of the Hemp
field road about two and a half miles
east of this city. The through line
would be somewhat shortened thereby
and about half an hour saved in time,
and our informant states that the route
is to be surveyed as soon as the weather
will permit. The completion of this
tunnel will leave Wheelirg entirely of
che line of the Baltimore and Ohio
|rosd and subject our citizens and chip
osrs to even greater annoyance than
they are now compelled to encounter.
OF course, the shops will be removed,
aud Wheeling will more completely