Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-03-01


Washington & Ohio Railroad from Hamilton,
Loudoun county, ria Cbarlestowu % was elah-
orately discussed by Capt. W. n. Mcdonald
aud A. E. Kennedy, in the affirmative, and by
Hon. W. Il. Triyers in the negative. We give
synopsis;
Capt. ". n. McDoNALD said:
We're we to invest $500, 900 in the W. & O.
r. r.. at least eight per cent. ON that amount
would be saved to the county yearly IN the
way of advantages which this. as 4 competing
line. would give us Western people can send
grain 10 market cheaper than We can, and It Is
owing to their many railroads This road
would open t. Us another market, and would
stimulate cultivation. Many pr ducts, for
which we have now scarcely any sale at all
would become staples and our agricultural
wealth would be proporiiouately increased -
Mix is frequently shipped, IN New York, a dis
tauce Of eighty miles 10 market In Jefferson
county there are about 1900 COVE, worth al
present ou,y about twenty dollars per head
If we could get good aud convenient market
for dairy products, the value Of these cows
wou,d be doubled. Washington is, next to
New York, the best market in America for
milk. butter, eggs aud poultry, aud this road
would give us direct and independent commu-
nication with that city. Vermont, with half
the area Of West Virginia, raises six times as
much hay as we do, aud their potato crop ISL
like contrast House rent there Is less than III
West Virginia by one half, they sell corn high
er than We DO and pay less for meal, the Prlu-
cipal reason for which Is their competing rail-
wav lines and convenient markets. Were We
possessed Of the same advantages the value Of
our produce would be enhanced % per cent,
and what we have to buy We could get for %
per cent. less.
The road would not depend upon coal for
support. it would be rather local tan trunk
line Ore would be boated down the Sheuau-
doah river from the upper valley IN large
quantities and find transportation on this road.
Washington is fast becoming one Of the great
est objective points of trade in the country, all
travellers from Chicago would come by this
route. being the nearest and most direct.
We do not understand the value Of immi-
grants. 1t is estimated, IN tile West that the
value Of an actual producer TO a community, IS
eight hundred dollars If we will increase our
market facilities, and possess ourselves Of the
many advantages accruiug upon competing
lines Of railway, emgrants will settle among
US aud help to develop our vast agricultural
resources.
Mr. TRAvERs said:
That this question was one Of great interest
to the people of this county, involving, as 1t
does the question Of taxation. Already have
v- subscribed the sum Of $250000 to open
rival line TO the b. & 0. r. r., and should be
proved that the object had not been accom-
pli,hed bei,re we take the same step IN ano-
ther quarter The general policy OF internal
inproyemeuts is not involved III the question
Al all a, had been alleged and even on this
puiut there is much serious doubt among think
Inc meu. viz: whether this action Of counties
il not au invasion upon the Legislature.
But the main point At issue Is Should the
people Of this county subscribe 10 this particu-
lar work | caunot see that 1t would be wise
to subscribe to it 100000 $4,000, or any
sum-there is no particular necessity Tor It, the
Directors of the road have never expressed any
idea Of building this extension, aud shall we
vote money 10 thing which has not aud IS not
likely to have any existence? A mere sub
scription Of say 500 900 would be no induce
ment TO bring the ruad to this point; 1t Is to
be supposed that, if they desire to build the ex-
tension, they have the capital to do 1t with
Baltimore is, has been, aud ever must be the
market of the lover valley. We are already
within seventeen miles as near to Baltimore 10y
way Of Hagerstown as over the B. & .. K. L.
There can be no nearer route from Chicago to
Washington than the present, which Is almost
a straight line Were this road built tho B. q
O. R. R, with its great overwhelming inliu-
ence would, most likely, swallow 1t up.
The Pennsylvania roads do not take sny
part of this valley into their connection with
Washington. From Harrisburg 10 Washing
ton. ria Hagerstown, Uharlestown and over the
W. & o. r. R., would be $50 miles, the dis
tance by the present route ria BrltimOre is l24