Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-06-24

capital C2arhs5urg Sun.
Martinsburg and Potomac Railroad and
Shenandoah Valley Railroad.
1t is now a conceded fact that the shen>
andoah Valley Railroad, will seek a copnec-
ton with the NJ. & p. Railroad a. some point
of its Improvement 1t may be asked, why
is this so? 1t is because the Cumberland
Valley Railroad, or perhaps to speak more ac-
curately, the Pennsylvania Central, has ac-
CURED dominant interest in both these inn
provements, and they mean to regulate its
constructions, so as to avoid all unnecessary
expense, and best to subserve their policy
They would regard it as extreme folly to ex-
pend half million of dollars in making a
bridge across the Potomac river at Shepherds
town, and in constructing an Independent road
from that point to Haserstown, where they
already have costly bridge at Powelps Bend,
and road already finished to Hagerstown.-
Regarding those two Pennsylvania companies
then as having the control of both the Mar
tinsburg & Potomac and the Shenandoah VAL
ley Railroad, it is preposterous for one moment
to suppose that they will uselcssly expend
money in making new road, or a new bridge,
where they have already bridge and road
that will answer all their purposes. The only
question then is, at what point will they con-
the Martinsburg & Potomac Railroad, so as to
make most available to them, the capital
which they have already invested. PowelIs.
Bend has been suggested as the point Of con>
nectiou, but this route has been found i'm
practicable from its great expense, and besides,
would present the absurdity of the same COM
pany constructing two roads, running parallel
with each other, and for many miles within
touching distance of each other. It results,
then, that this connection must take place
either at Martinsburg, or at some point be.
tween Martinsburg and Falling Waters
Every consideration of trade, profit, public
convenience and corporate policy, requires
that the connection should be at Martinsburg.
These considerations So apparent, and lie
SO completely upon the surface, that it is un-
necessary to go into any detail of them
Should the connection be at Martinsburg, the
route will be direct from Charlestown to this
place. The distance will be very little if at
all increased, and the expense of construction
in all probability much less. One important
result flowing from the extension of that road
from Charlestown to Martinsburg, would be
the inevitable construction of road, making
up the gap between Charlestown and Hamil-
the Washington & Ohio Railroad to this point,
aud giving both to Martinsburg and Charles
town, the advantage of an additional eastern
market at Alexandria
We are happy to learn that the leading and
influential minds in the county of jefferson,
appreciate oil these views as fully ns we do
ourselves, and that they are prepared to give
their earnest efforts to the accomplishment of
these results. When this system Of internal
communication is once established, we know
of no two counties within the limits of this
Union, whose prospects of prosperity and adj
vancement would be greater than those of the
counties of Berkeley and Jefferson.
Martins6urg Statesman.
This is an important subject to tho people
Of this county. We all know that the S. V.
r. r. originated, at least so far as this county
has given it aid, in the want of having adj
ditional facilities of railroad transportation at
rates reduced by wholesome competition. 1t
is claimed that by this project of connecting
the two roads, with tho least cost of construc-
ton and of operating when built, the parties
who may operate the combined road, will be
in a condition to successfully compete with
other railroads, thereby affording to our peo-
pie the desired railroad benefits. A further
consideration in favor of the adoption of the
route via. Martinsburg, is, as a consequence,
the establishing of continuous railroad line
from Martnsburg to Alexandria, through the
centre of aud with lateral branches from Cd.
posite directions, in Jefferson county
Would not Berkeley county expend the IN
appropriated balance of her railroad subscrip.
ton, on railroad to Alexandria in preference
to doing SO, on one to Winchester? 1t is 90
miles from Charlestown to Hagerstown, via
Shepherdstown, and 53 miles between the
same points, via. Martinsburg. From what
has been made public of the orders in council
of those having control of the s. " r. r.,
we believe they are not unfavorable to a tenn
porary connection with the NJ. g. p. r.. R.,
and that they contemplate the necessity of
building on the permanent line northward
from Shepherdstowu, when an increased pop
ulation is gathered along their road, manu-
features are established, particularly that of
iron in Luray Valley, and the road is completed
to the G. i o. r. r. at Stanton.