The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-07
pennsylyania ana Virginia.


While our own Legislature is fighting
general railroad law, and looking only
after the loaves and fishes of monopoly"
the state of New Jersey rushes through a
free railroad law in that state in order to
relieve her people from the grinding extor-
tions Of one of the most infamous monopo-
lies that ever existed in this country
and while our legislative Soons
are further seeking to retard the develop
ment Of our great material industries by
fighting all advanced measures looking to
the introduction of capital and its profitable
investment in this state, the people of
Pennsylvania are looking to the speedy
construction of railroad from Pittsburgh
through the richest iron ore regions of our
state, as one of the greatest needs Of
Pittsburgh, which is at present the chief
iron-producng city of the United States
We refer to the Pittsburgh, Virginia and
Charleston railroad, of which The Iron
World speaks as being one of the most
important enterprises ever projected in the
interests of that state. OF this road The
Iron World says that too much impor-
lance Ito Pittsburgh cannot be attached to
its early completion, as it passes through
the vast ore beds of Virginia, which can
be made available for or tributary to that
city. In view Of the present and prospec-
tive increasing demand for iron ores by the
manufacturers, The Iron World urges its
leading capitalists to push forward this great
enterprise, which looks to the cheapest and
best supply of iron ores that can be made
available to the iron interests of Pennsyl-
vana. 1t says that the ''vexed ore question"
must find its solution in striking the mex
haustible mines of this state. AT the pres
ent time many Of the Pittsburg companies
are bringing their ores from the Lake Supe-
rior regions and from Missouri, at greatly
increased expense over what it would cost
them for Virginia ores, of equally excellent,
If not superior, quality.
1t says that within one hundred aud
fifty miles, on a direct line from Pittsburg,
lie as fine beds of rich iron ore as can be
found this side Of Missouri. To reach
these rich beds by the route of the Pitts
burg, Virginia and Charleston railroad the
distance will BIO about two hundred and
forty miles. Our iron men will therefore
see the Importance Of pushing this road
into the heart of Virginia as speed
lily as possible. Within the past
few weeks we have received number
Of inquiries from parties asking for infor-
nation respecting this road. With view
of ascertaining facts we called upon the
vlce-president, John Scott, who, by the
way, is the active man of the concern. He
said he could give no further information
than what was embodied in the annual re-
port of the president given last January.
Hitherto the iron men have manifested but
little interest in the road, and until recently
they have not been awakened to sense of
of its importance"
Never has there been time in the histo-
ry of the country when there was such an
unprecedented demand for iron as now, or
when the producers were reaping such a
golden harvest. The profits of one single
company in Pittsburgh are said to reach as
high as two thousand five hundred dollars
day, and many other companies are
doing an equally profitable business in
proportion to the amount of capital in
vested. What are the people Of our state,
and, above all, what is our Legislature
thinking Of, when the great heart of the
iron interest of the country is thus moved
towards Virginia, not so much with view
of building up vast productive industries
here Us in making her material wealth
tributary to sister state.
There is no reason why our own city
should not become the chief centre of our
great iron interests, if the legislative and
business brains Of the state were only ade-
quate to the pressing emergencies of the
hour. Let the business men of Richmond
demand of the Legislature, and demand
of themselves, such action as shall
secure industry, energy, and capital
here. The idea of taxing capital in advance
of its seeking investment in the great in
dustries of the state, is the most insane
one that ever entered into legislative head.
In heavens name, let us get rid of this
folly, and move at once in the direction of
developing the immense sources of wealth
that sister state is now seeking at our
doors.
New YORK city proposes to resume its
excursions for poor children the ensuing