Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-12-30
Extension 0ftI,e Cleveland, Tus-
caravans Valley ~ Wheeling IL.
R.--ElOw DOGS it Compare with
the Narrow Gauge?


the Narrow Gauge?
While we freely accord TO the citizens OF
St. Clairsville and vicinity perfect right TO
Judge for themselves as to the practicability of
their business projects, yet would beg leave
to make the friendly suggestion, that perhaps
they would do well at this time to come TO
hault in their Narrow Gauge enterprise, and
pause long enough and with sufficient unprej-
udiced deliberation to determine whether there
is not much more practicability, and show OF
advantages for them in the proposed extension
OF the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheel
ing Railroad. There remains but little doubt
that this company fully intend to extend tEeir
line to Bridgeport, and that they will make a
perTnanentlOcation, and proceed to the work OF
construction as soon as they receive such as
sstance as the importance and magnitude of
the enterprise demands. 1t is also highly prob
able. that If St Clairsville would proffer that
material aid vslich her interest calls for, the
company would propose very liberal terms for
the construction of branch to within. the
limits of the town, that would afford all the
benefits TO be had by other towns along the
line of the road This proposition however
is based upon the supposition, that the Ordi-
nary odious Specification of Soitch would not
in any sense apply to the st. Clairsville branch.
If such an arrangement could be made, the
following advantages would necessarily ac-
crue. 1st. 1t would require less subscription
than any other Railroad project that could
make St. ClairsFille the same return. end.
The subscriptioh5made would be to the pres
ent capital stock.of the Company, which is
paying good dividend, and with rapidly in
creasing facilities for business must ultimately
become first class investment. 3d.. 1t would
give the people in the north west part of the
county much better means of reaching St.
Clairsville, and thus permanently operate
against the removal of the County Seat. 4th.
1t would add about thirty miles of Railroad to
the county and thus largely increase both i'm
mediately and permanently the tax duplicate.
Against this proposition it is urged, 1st.
That there is no prospect of an immediate ex-
tension of the above road. To which we
answer; that such a statement is not in any
measure justified by what is publicly known
of the position, views and acts of the Com
pany; ON the contrary it is clearly manifest
that they are not only able and willing, but
fully determined to make the extension if the
people on the line will but do their part
2nd. 1t is urged that if the extension was
made St. Clairsville would be compelled to
make choice between Railroad line passing
three miles from the town and miserable
Stcitch, having no advantages over the present
hack line. To which we answer; that if the
first named choice was made, still,s St. Clairs-
vile would be primarily and permantly inter
ested in the road, for very palpable reasons
before mentioned, and as to the second in
the absence of proof to the contrary there is
strong evidence to show that it is to the inter-
est of the Company to propose or accept such
terms as would result in all the advantages we
have named /; at least it is altogether probable
that if St. Clairsville will go to work in earn
est and show that liberality which her ability
and interest justify, such an arrangement
could be effected. Finally it is proposed that
the Narrow Gauge to Neff's can not only be
secured with much less expenditure, but,
pointing as it does to Bellaire as one terminus
and some other undeyeloped Narrow Gauge
enterprise as the other, it is Just what St.
Clairsville needs, and what she must have,
first, last and always (Which we answers,
1st that the idea, that the building and equip
ments of five miles Narrow Guage Road will
require no greater expenditure than the build.
ing Of three. miles Standard Gauge without
the equipment (other things being equal is not
only strangely ridiculous but wholly without
foundation in fact. Notwithstanding the able
=, L. Al.
Gauge system, to show the economy in con-
struction, as yet they have failed TO prove a
greater reduction (other things being equal
than about one third from the Standard Gauge;
and in the present condition of our railroad
system, this proposed economy is frequently
more than counterbalanced by the expense Of
transfer and other disadvantages. But if II
should be urged, that the Narrow Gauge car
be operated on much sleeper grades and or
MUCH sharper curves than the StandereC
Gauge, we answer; that while the narrow
ing the gauge lessons the leverage on the axle
and hence admits of small diminution in the
strength ofsmaterial of car carrying the samt
weight, and while the Narrow Gauge car may
pass over the same curve with less friction
than the Standard Gauge; vet this difference
in both cases is so small as not materially tt
effect our CLAIMS In fact the most of the re
duction in cost in these respects, proposed fol
the Narrow Gauge will apply with equal force
to the Standard Gauge. But again it is claim
ed that the Narrow Gauge points in the righ
direction, that st. Clairsville needs an Quite
to the south; but is it not highly important tt
have an outlet to the north west part of the
county and is not such an outlet needed
worse than the one first named; and is ther,
not danger, that for want of proper effort a
this time that outlet will not be secured; Ger
tainy it is true, not only St. Clairsville but til,
whole of Belmont county are risking chanc,
| to lose, at least one-half the advantages of thi
road. If the interests of Bellaire are to b.
guarded, then the Narrow Gauge should b.
pushed forward to completion by all means
| for if il could serve no better purpose,
speedy transfer of the county bpildings hoult
be successfully made to that prospectus city
but it certainly can net be to the interest o
ST., Clairsvllc to aid in this suicidal measure
But finally it is urged that this Narrow Gaug
section is to form a link in a great through lin
from the Lakes to the Ohio river; now if sucl
a project as this should be successful, al
would he well, but how very uncertain are it
chances ana how very often in the past fort,
years, has st. Clairsville in common with othe
railroad aspiring villages of Belmont count
vainly looked for the consummation of nc
less favorable enterprises. Surely no one VIII
is familiar with the facts, will venture the as
sertion that the extension of the c., T. V.
w. r. r. to the Ohio river by whatever roet
th9y may choose is not more likely to be effec
ed In the near future, than the consummatio
of any other railrhad enterprise in south eas
ern Ohio. twill be well for { c. Clairsville t
give this subject careful and unbiased col
sideratiOn and thus be enabled to act wisely.
OBSERVER.
CHANGE OF lime The Teachers EXnmin,