Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-05-16
RAILROAD EXTENSION

" tliC tAtGiISl1ii VI Vic 4n. CO 4 "
II. both to Charlestown and Win
chester, and in reply thereto says /,
go course, we have nothing TO
say against the construction Of q
railroad from Martinsburg to
Charlestown indeed we hope that
Martinsburg may have the benefits
Of roads radiating to every point
of the compass, and that it may
grow and improve in proportion to
the industry and enterprise of its
people. Its Improvement of late
years has been very great may it
continue to be greater.
Because we look upon Martins
burg as city of enterprise. is one
of the reasons we wish to be
brought into nearer and closer
relations with it's citizens. Win
chester within the last few years
has looked up also, and has In and
around it many evidences Of
growth. Judging from the various
enterprises that have been started
lately it would not be unwise to
predict for it bright and prosper
Gus future.
Like Martinsburg we want and
are willing to pay literally for
railroad connections. This has
been manifested by our popular
meetings, by the ordinances and
resolutions of our city council, and
by every manifestation by which
that willingness could be expressed
We have offered locations for de-
pot and workshops and liberal con-
tributions in money
We have done all this not only
because we believe our city will be
benefited, but because we believe
will be paying road. 1t would
strike most important point for
the trade and travel Of the Valley
now very large and destined to be-
come enormous-having the ad-
vantage over the B. & o. Road 60
ing west of 80 miles-and the con-
sumption of coal with our present
and increasing coal consuming
mills and factories would be q
source of handsome revenues and
with the spirit now moving in our
midst, these mills and factories
would, with the advent of cheap
coal, increase greatly in number.
Any jealousy of each others
growth ought to be far from either
city. We would like to see an hon
est rivalry spring up, which would
tend to bring us individually and
socially closer together and devel-
OPP with more rapidity those won.
derful resources with which nature
has so bountifully blessed our
grand old Valley.
This is the feeling which actu-
ates our city. The same, we are
sure, animates the people of our
county. And our friend of the In
DEPENDENT, does us injustice
when he says, our people having
failed to hold any election or take
vote for or against subscription,
that therefore, he had a right to
assume that they are bestowing
more labor toward the extension
of the w. & O. R. r.. than to the
M. & P. r. r,
We desire both ; and we not on
ly see no antagonism, but believe
they will be mutually beneficial.
We have had no vote, because
we had no definite proposition
from the M. & Road. We could
go before the people with
no certain and defined OBJ
jeet. We have had committees
to attend the meeting of the stock
holders and directors in Martins
burg and elsewhere. Recently we
heard that the citizens of Martins
burg were opposed to the road
coming this side of that city; and
instanced upon their part that
even the people of this end of Ber-
kelley county were opposed to the
expenditure of the balance of the
subscription in completing the
road to its southern border. This
was mistake, we are sure for q
petition, signed by large major
ity of the land owners of this end
of Berkeley, is now here urging a
compliance with the condition of
subscription, and our friend of the
independent may be assured that
our people of the city of Winches-
ter and county of Frederick, are
not only willing, but anxious, to
have the road extended here, and
will contribute literally to effect
that object.
/ We hear that the President of
the nj. q p. road has been written
to, and if the company desires us
to take any action with a view to
the extension of the road, let us
know, and we are sure it will not
be disappointed.
Though State lines unhappily
divide us; yet our people are one
in sentiment and sympathy, and
we are sure that the bond of a