The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-07
The Trans-Alleghany Railroad.

The lTaNS-AuSSlAeslJ AeeAAA Ses>A'
We have already announced the fact Of an
important meeting OF the ns-Aiieghany
Railroad Company, at which General laBo-
DEN resigned the presidency of the road and
JOIN ENpEss, Esq, of this city, was unani-
mously elected in his place. We have not
paid more particular attention to this sub
feet because the exciting period of the last
week has kept us occupied with other mat
tiers. We now recur to the subject for the
purpose OF more clearly bringing it before
our readers.
The Richmond and Trans-Aleghany rail-
road was projected, as we understand, to
bring into communication with proper
market the very wealthy region of South.
west Virginia contiguous to the terminus Of
the road at Pound Gap, on the Virginia ana
Kentucky line. While carrying out this OBJ
iecl the proposition includes considerable
intervening country now without railroad
facilities which has both agricultural and
mineral wealth ofan immense extent Eng
lish capitalists own a Vast district of the
country trayersed by the proposed line, and
it was understood that to develop that dis
trict and make its mineral riches available
those capitalists would unite in the con-
struction of the road with the subscriptions
OF the intervening country.
This is brief statement of the project.
Now, then, the act, rs originally passed, left
the matter o; the terminus in some doubt ;
which doubt was to be settled by subscrip-
lions. The proposed narraw gauge, indeed,
raised question as to gauge; but that is
readily settled By the relative cost of the
gauges. II we can build q road for half what
the standard gauge costs, and dc with it all
that is wanted, and run it Tor q third less
than the wider gauge would cost, why there
could be no doubt about selecting the narrow
gauge.
Those chiefly acting in behalf of this pro-
position are disposed TO come to Richmond.
Therefore the meeting of the company init
mated its readiness to give Richmond the
especial, and almost exclusive, advantages Of
the road if she would make g liberal SUBJ
scription" towards its construction. So, at
the recent meeting the following resolution
was adopted:
"Res0iued, That if Richmond tenders q
liberal subscription on such a condition
rs that before the subscription becomes bind
ing on the city the company Shall agree to,
and the Legislature affirm, q contract TO the
effect that no branch Of the road shall ever
be constructed to divert trade from Rich
tLa f.r,, ri tI,o nn1
without the consent of the city."l we believe
that it should be unanimously accepted by
the company"
This resolution was unanimously adopted.
We do not suppose that such condition
would be necessary for road built on the
line indicated to Richmond. 1t would be
essentially Richmond road, and we need
fear no diversion.
We have said that General IMBoDEN re-
signed, and Mr.. ENDERs was elected presi-
dent of the company. General IMB oDEN in
his letter declared bis devotion to the enter
prise and his opinion that he could do it
more service by cooperating unofficially
with the company than by being its presi-
dent, and unanimous resolution Of thanks
for his eli :ient services was passed. Mr..
ESDEas was unanimously elected, and in his
letter of acceptance of the office expressed
his earnest friendship for the enterprise.
He said in the course of his letter:
"BGlieving that the prosperity OF our
State Is Vitally concerned in It's SuccesS-be-
lieying that the interests OF our city are in
timatCly blended with the success OF this
road-uud confident that unless some effort
is made to reyiyeand inspirit our people and
restore us TO the place we occupied before
the war we shall gradually decay and de-
cline-I accept the office, hoping by this con-
fribution of my efforts to yours to aid IN
awakening our people to the necessity OF
making strenuous effort to restore our
State 10 the proud position she once occu-
Pied"
MIR. ENpERs is businessman by educa-
ton ard habit. He is looking to the trade
OF Southwest Virginia, tiye-siXths of which,
according TO one of the most eminent bunk.
ers and merchants Of the city, we have lost.
To the restoration of this trade, to the resto'
ration of the commerce with the Southwest,
he directs his hopes and his labors. Who
can fail TO sympathlze with his motives and
to join him in his efforts?
Now, then, the enterprise having reached
this point, what next? In our opinion, it is
clearly that We should place ourself en- rap
port with the English capitalists, so that we
may understand each other perfectly. Any
thing that will advance their interests and
ours should, and we doubt not will, receive
our hearty cooperation. We trust that Mr..
ESDERs will so to work at once to bring
this about. Let us look at the field in its
true light, and see ahead exactly where We
are going, and the labor will be diminished
within the scope of our means, and Crane
triumph will crown the enterprise.