The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-28
onr southern Railway Commerce.

The trade OF this city southwardly through
Petersburg has long been subject OF the
deepest interest to the people of Richmond.
There were two great obstacles in the way
which for long years almost entirely pro-
hibited any intercourse between Richmond
and the people Of the eastern portions OF
North and South Carolina; and yet those
people resided in the section which was
naturally within the geographical sphere OF
Richmond. These two obstacles were: FIRST.
break in the line of transportation at re-
tersburs, where all freights had to oe iran
shipped and to be subjected to commissions
and charges. Second, the active operations
of the Seaboard railroad and bay boats ex-
crting considerable control over the trade
of tee section in question and Fronting
largely by the difficulties 50 unfortunately
throwu in the way of the current of com
merce in this direction at Petersburg.
/. As TO the first obstacle, it was not alone
unfortunate for Richmond, but was seriously
Injurious to Petersburg. She was engaged
in struggle with powerful rival, and she
portunity to reinforce her. Freights which
she subjected to transfer and 10 heavy
charges would not pass through her limits,
but would 60 of on the bay to avoid the
apti-commerciai restrictions established i'll
Petersburg.
Finally. Petersburg saw that her course
had been impoltic, and she then caused lines
of railway to be connected through her ter
,itory, and relieved freight and trade from
the ruiuous effects of the delay of break OF
bulk. and commissions and prepayment OF
charges for transportation. Richmond then
first saw the light from North Carolina.
Still. there were old habits and customs OF
railroads TO be broken up. After time the
Petersburg and Weldon road passed into
new hands. with REUBEN RAGLAND, very
practical and active gentleman. at IT'S head.
His first idea was to make City Point the
port of Petersburg, especially for The trade
over his road. This idea was frustrated, as
stated in a bill filed by Mr. RAGLAHD Ill the
Circuit Court of this citya few days since
With that port and two competing lines OF!
steamers Mr.. RAGLAND thought his road
could bring the staples of the Carolinas to
the Petersburg market, successfully COM
peting with other lines. But one Of these
lines of steamers soon after being abandoned,
and an attempt to treat with General Ma
HONE, who was controller Of the City Point
railroad, for the Use Of his road falling, Mr..
HAGLAND was compelled TO look to Rich
mond us an outlet for that freight which bis
road might control beyond the wants of Pc
Icrshurg. lie had further plans northward.
but was unable to arrange terms with the
Frcdericksbu burg road with that view.
The bill aforesaid states how, for the bet
ter contamination of the plans of the Peters
burg ard Weldon Company, Il consolidation
of their road with the Petersburg and Rich
moud road was finally effected. and Mr. RAG
LAND made president of the line thus con-
solidatcd. The bill thus states this event
and the prospects of the line:
"On the 9th day of May, in the year 1873.
your respondent was elected President of the
Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Compa-
NY. He was chosen by men who are experts
Ill TIE busiiltSS VI lullIO.uN. VIII lttii hllONi
edge Of all that his enemies had said against
him, but also with knowledge of what had
been achieved on the Petersburg la;Iroad
during the first year OF your respondents
experience. Respondent accepted the otfi C
with the understanding and assurance that
the two roud*, under his management, should
be run in harmony and unison. for the
purpose Of securing free entrance into and
exit out Of Richmond. the capital of the
state, for the largest possible amount OF the
rich commerce concentrated ut Weldon; and |
that 10 this end this respondent would have |
the cooperation and good will OF the Will |
miDgton and Weldon railroad; that the rates |
and charges, expenses and profits, should be |
parttiUued justly, and that the rights of both |
companies should he equally sacred in the |
eyes OF their common president. Asa glEll-
anty of good faith and impartiality, and Ill
assurance Of unanlmity in the action of two
independent Boards OF Directors. and also in |
consideration Of bis ineXperience, your re-
spoDdcnt agreed that, in respect to important |
matters touching the common interests. he
would take the advice and counsel of Il
committee composed of directors from
each company, together with Mr.. r.
Il. Bl:dyer>, president of the Wilmington
and Weldon Railroad Company, with whom |
your respondent expects to do 4 large and /!
profitable business. The organization OF
each of the roads over which respondent
Erc>idtS is lreScrrcdprrlcct; they hold their
meetings and exercise their functions as
usual. They do NOT even meet in the same
city; but your respondent is happy to say
that they act in unison, and that their COM
mon Interests will most probably preserve |
harmony. BY means Of the connections Sc
cured by these arrangements it is expected
that the business of the Petersburg railroad !
viii be more than doubled, and its expenses |
diminished. Indeed, your respondent eN-
poets TO he able 10 declare dividend this |
le,r, result which otherwise would have
been impossible"
Under this arrangement and management
we have the best grounds for believing that
Richmond will have largely Increased
trade with NORTH Carolina. The treights now
are expedited and are forwarded with GER
tlinty, freed from the Interruptions and de-
lays caused by transhipments and inter-
ycning agents with their charges.
We may well felicitate our merchants
upon this great improvement ofour medium
OF communication southwardly. While it
gives US no undisputed way to desirable
commerce, it gives us the channel through
which enterprise and energy can fairly enter
the field of competition. Let us make full
Use of tais great advantage.
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TO Fruit-Growers.
iai colo Of |