The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-02-11
THE RAILROAD AND BRIDGE

We presume that the action OF the
city council last night will put an end,
for the present at least, to all hope OF a
subscription from this county in aid OF
the proposed Wheeling and Lake Erie
railroad and the contemplated bridge
across the Ohio river at this point. A
subscription OF 100000 to these two
enterprises was authorized by popular
vote little less than two years ago
and the necessary ordinances were
passed by the council, Before the sub
scription was actually made and the
bonds delivered, an injunction was OBJ
tanned restraining the agents appointed
by the council from making the sub.
sc-iption, alleging that the
constitution OF the State would be
violated by their action. The case was
taken to the Supreme Court OF Appeals,
argument was heard upon it at the
August term last year, and it is expect.
ed that the decision OF the court will be
announced during the present session IN
Charleston. 1t seems to be the general
opinion OF members Of the legal frater'
nifty that the constitutionality OF the
ordinances authorizing the subscrlp'
tion will be affirmed.
During the past year, however, there
has been very decided change OF pub
lie sentiment in relation to railroad en-
terprises. The miserable failure OF the
Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Kentucky
road and tie consequent total loss OF
the $4,000 invested by this county
in that scheme, has burned anew
the fingers that were 30 severely cauter-
lied by the Wheeling and Marietta y
and the Hempfeld projects, and has
increased popular ihcrednlity as to the
success OF any local railroad in which
this county takes stock.
Added 10 this, the financial trouble
last fall, whether justly or not, Destroy
ed popular confidence in railroad secu-
rites and imposed sudden and severe
check upon railroad building. The
Wheeling and Lake Erie company was
already struggling under the embar>
rassment produced by a decision ad-
verse to the coustitu.ionslity OF the
BoEsEL law" under which a consider
able portion OF lis stock had been
taken, when the financial crash
came. Notwithstanding the assurance
OF success afforded by the enlistme mi
of the famous SHANDLEY brothers il
behalf OF the road, there has been s
growing and almost iusurmountable be
lief that the road would not be built
aud that whatever money was paid t
this end, and for the railroad bridge
would merely go to swell the alread
long catalogue OF Wheelings unlortunst
investments in railroad lines. To sucl
an extent does this feeling prevail tha
II vote were taken now, it is probabl
tnat the subscription would be refused
by majority as overwhelming as tha
which was given iu its favor in 1872.
It must not be understood that tn,
people Of Wheeling do not want tn
proposed Wheeling and Lake Erie rail
road and the projected bridge. Thes,
enterprises are still deemed as desira
bic as they ever were. But the lat
unfortunate experience we have haG
added to the similar missdventures i
the past, has stimulated caution an
created distrust
1t is quite probable that this ieelin
will ere long pass away, but that it e,
lists now and that it prompted the actio
of the Council lsst night is undepiabl
II the P. w. & K. railroad had prove
success there would have been l
great troub!e about the w. Il L. Z.