Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1875-01-06
THE CINCINNATI ROAD.

The editorial from the Cincinnati |
Gazette, published in yesterdays
CHRONICLE, concerning the .Cinciu-
natl Southern railroad, was the subject
of general comment on OUR streets
The gazette, from the beginning Of the
undertaking, has been the friend and
supporter OF the Trustees, aud, as far
as expedlent, they have made it their
organ. The article seems to us to have
been put forth AS a test of public opin-
ion.
If Gen. Slusrt's company has the
means to build the road from Knox.
vile to Macon, it is an assured fact, in
cur opinion, that the proposed lease of
the Cincinnati road can be effected
1t has alwa.s been susceptible Of de-
moustration that AS an outlet to the
coast, and to a country that would give
Cincinnati exclusive shipping facili-
ties, the Knoxville route was the
cheapest and best. Our coal men feel
confident that with direct Southern
road giving "a competition Of freights
they could ship coal to the Atlantic
ports, aud even to New York, at profit
able prices.
But few months ago they missed a
heavy government contract to deliver
coal at Port Royal, because of cent
per ton a mile on freights. Gen.
Stuart can show 10y figures, that while
by the Knoxville route, Cincinnati
would lose but a few miles, over the
present nearest route to Chattanooga
aud the south western connections, she
would gain many miles to Macon, Au-
gusta Savannah and the Eastern Gulf
coast, and exclusive advantages over
her Western rivals to the trade of the
mountain region south of Knoxville.
1t is evident to our minds that this is IA
good time for Knoxville to press her
claims and present her advantages to
the people of Cincinnati. 1t is evident
that there is dissatisfaction there now
over the prospect of the cost of the
Chattanooga route and any less expen-
sive road, giving them substantially
the same advantages, would be pressed
by public sentiment upon the Trus-
tees. If they can give With their pres.
ent means a Chattanooga and Knox
Vile connection, we hope they will do
it. We want no exclusive advantages,
but we would like to see the Knoxville
connection assured.
The views of rival city aud the light
thrown upon the controversy in Gin
cinnati by the following article from
the Louisville COurier-Jo,unoI, will
prove OF interest:
Since the inception of practical under
takings on this Southern route, there has
been an active and influential opposition in
| Cincinnati who have argued that the city
| will never recover the value of the money
| proposed to be expended, which is likely
enough Recently this opposition element
seems to have greatly strengthened, in con
/ sequence Of the policy pursued by the
managers of the enterprise. An issue of
$40 600, 600 of city bonds has been author
| lied and several millions sold, and 1t is
contended that it will require so, 900, 600
to complete the undertaking.
1t is charged, however that the manages
ment by expanding money very literally
at the lower end of the line, are creating a
/ necessity that any additional amount will
be forthcoming that may be requisite, to
avoid q dead loss on previous outlays. Gin
cinnati will be compelled in other words,
TO open path from home to her capital
| sunk in the wilderness, Dissatisfaction has
also arisen on account of new bridge oyer
the Ohio being projected, instead Of leas-
! ing the present Newport bridge, and also
building a road parallel to the Kentucky
Central, instead of utilizing that road. Ii
is charged that the hard-earned money OF
the Porkopoitans is being lavished with
too prodigal hand, and in such manner
as to make it future necessity to double
the original appropriation. It is likely
that Gen. Stuart and his New York con-
stitusncy will appear on the scene, in con
sequence Of disagreements and threatened
troubles Of 50 serious a nature as to prompt
a resort to a new line of tactics, in order tC
save the undertaking from failure.