The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-10
CHEsArEAKE AND OHIO RAILROAD,

THE following communication was una
voidably delayed. We publish with great
pleasure, and commend its views to gene
raj attention:
NORFOLK, December %, 1878.
Captain James Barron Hope:
NV Dear Sir-Your editorial Of yester-
day, in which you cast some unjust refiec-
tons upon the management of that great
est of Virpinia's material achievements
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad-has
caused much regret among many OF your
friends.
It has always been held by the wisest
and most sagacious men in this state that
a connection with the great Northwest
was necessary, in order to build up COM
mercial metropolis in Virginia. No one is
more familiar with this fact than yourself.
The Southwest connection which we now
have with the Mississippi river at Mem
phs existed before the war, and has exist
ed for about fifteen years. 1t has done
much good, and 1t is an important feeder
to our commerce; but similar connection
failed to make Charleston and Savannah
great cities, and it has not the power to
force the growth of a city on this harbor.
The reasons are numerous, but foreign to
this article.
The great object of many jealous advc-
Gates Of Southside consolidation, was to
give the consolidated roads the Inherent
power to extend themselves through Cum
berland Gap to the OAio, and on to the
bread-and -meat-producing centres OF this
continent. The Northside and the South
side of Virginia were both striving to reach
this coveted region, and it was thought
that to the winner of the race would come
% speedy and a rich reward.
Your correspondent can never forget the
satisfaction he experienced, when on his
way to commercial convention in the West.
the present president of the Atlantic, Mis-
sssippi and Ohio railroad company assured
him that there we're physical difficulties
almost, if not altogether, insurmountable
in the construction of the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad to the Ohio river, and that
with the consolidation of the Southside
railroads would come the speedy construc-
dion of the Virginia and Kentucky rail.
road.
The consolidation bill provided for the
construction of this railroad in six years
from 1870. 1t is not our purpose to criti-
CHE the failure of General Malone to keep
reports Of the Atlantic, Mississippi and
Ohio railroad company, and the recent
speech Of its president, have doubtless
satisfied his friends why he has done moth
ing. and the former satisfied number Of
your felow-citizens that they could not
look to his management for the speedy
realization of work without which his
company is powerless to develop the des-
ainies Of this harbor. 1t was for this rea-
son that, after the second annual meeting
of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio
railroad company, your correspondent
in behalf of number of leading citl-
zens and himself, commenced a CORE
spondence with Mr.. Huntington and Gene.
raj Wiclham, looking, not to departure OF
their original plan Of connecting their
Richmond terminus with deep water on the
James or York but to secure to Norfolk
branch of their read by connection be.
tween Clifton Forge and Lynchburg. The
correspondence met with friendly re-
Spouse, and the assurance was given
that so soon as the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad company was in suitable condition
it would build this road, which we could use
lin connection with our Southside roads,
and that in the meantime every facility
would be afforded our good people Of
Norfolk to experience the benefits of its
present work.
All must admire General Mahone's
ability as railroad manager, but business
men cannot forget the fact that with all
his genius and energy he has opened up no
new avenue of trade to Norfolk. lie has
doubtless done wonders in restoring and
enlarging the facilities of those great South
side works which his predecessors laid ou
and constructed under so many difficulties
and embarrassments, and which, in tn
light Of improved science and in the age OF
the Pacific railroads and the Mount Gems
tunnel, present engineering triumphs o.
which our old commonwealth may well be
proud.
Are the people of Norfolk to be 50 un
grateful as to forget the debt of gratitude
they owe to Mr.. Huntington and his asso
ciates for connecting T.dewater Virginia B.
the iron bands Of commerce with the Obi
at a point where 16 900 miles OF water navi
CATION centre? He and his associates
came not to Virginia band Of adventur
ers seeking to further rob and despoil GU
war.worn people. They were sought a
their homes by our Virginia people an
pursuaded to take in hand the completion
of that work which General Malone ha
pronounced impracticable, and which GU
Northside friends were satisfied they conl
not themselves accomplish. The write
knows the Virgnians who went to Ne,
York and enlisted these gentlemen in tn
great undertaking. He served on the sta
Of one of them in the Confederate arm.
and he wishes Virginia had to-day ho'
of Andersons to build up her waste place
and develop ler limitless resources.
in 1870 the Southside undertook to reac
the West under the management OF Nj
hone, and failed In 1870 the Northsit
undertook to reach the West under Ct
management of Huntington, and succeeds
Now boat can be loaded with grain
Fort Benton, Montana, and fioated
Huntington, whence the Chesapeake al
Ohio railroad can bring it to the jam
river aud discharge it into barge, whit
in twenty hours can be alongside q Live
pool steamer in Norfolk harbor, and at lie
cost, damage and loss of time than by al
other route. Should we not, as Virginian
rejoice at this, and give praise where it
due?
Suppose the Chesapeake and Ohio ra
road company has been unable to meet
November interest, should we thereto
draw an odious comparison between it a