Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-05-07
septheru Mary land Railroad.

AExUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS
ELECTION or DIEECToRS-REPoRT OF THE
PRESIDENT.
The annual meeting OF the stockholders Of
the Southern Maryland railroad company
was held yesterday afternoon, and the fol-
lowing hoard OF directors was elected for the
ensuing year:-Samuel 8. Smoot John Van
EiSwiCk, L. \. Darling. Frank Hume, Hoo
ratio Browning. James $. Barbour, Andrew
Saks. Charles r. Church, and T. A. Cook, of
W@shiLgton city; benjamin q. Harris and
John VI. Bronze. OF ST. Mary's county, Nd,
and III. B. Beymer. OF Baltimore
The following is portion of the animal re-
IGt Of Col. s. >. SmOot, the president -
"Owirg 10 the continued effect OF the panic
Of 1873, the general stagnatfon of business,
cOmlany has not been able 20 negotiate its
securities. Negotiations are now in progress,
witt good prospect OF a successful termi-
nation. The road is now in such an adj
vsnced state that IL can be completed TO the
baltimore and Potomac railroad, near this
city, and with the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road where its line crosses that of the Balti-
more and Potomac railroad near BenniDg s
station. within nine months, thus furnish
ing continuous line to the harbOr of the st.
Mary's river and Point Lookout, and short
branch 10 the mouth OF the PatuXent river.
The past wiRterdemonstrates the necessity
of sn early completion of this rOI1. furnish
ing as II does to the cities OF Washington
and Baltimore n harbOr free at all times
from any obstruction by ice and rapid and
convenient outlet to the Ocea =. besides saw
ing from five 90 six hours over the present
time to Norfolk from the two cites named.
During the past session OF Congress the
Importance Of this road to the government
and the commercial interests OF Washington
and Baltimore was brought to its notice ald
I the proceedings of that body have made a
/ record Of its value aud advantages which
/ clearly demonstrates the great bcueTi Is which
must result from its completion. and the eS-
/ Establishment at some point on the st. Mary 8
I river of great naval cOaling station. The
I attention of the industrial centerS of the
great west have been attracted to the vast
/ importance of this great commercial OPtlet
I on the Chesapeake waters, and the company
/ is i'm receip of many letters from prominent
business men of the west and northwest, in
I dicatiDg the liveliest interest in this enter
prise. and making inquiries for detailed in
formation.
As yet no arrangement has been entered
into with either of the great trunk lines. but
the day Is not far distant when the Southern
Maryland railroad will be i'm q condition TO
command that attention that is due to so
great an enterprise as this. The completion
of this line viii add greatly to the value of
property in this city. by opening up cOun-
try heretofore comparatively unknown to
OuT people, and giving them another rapid
outlet to the south, thereby chea pening the
nccessaTies of living in our markets.
My great aim has been. and is, to complete
this important road as early ds practicable,
thus furnishing a great commercial line.
which must give q permanent impulse to all
the Industrial interests OF my native city,
ard hope that at the next annual meeting
OF the stockholders i Will have the great sat
iSfactiOn of cOngratulating the citizens of
Washington upon the final accomplishment
of this great work.