The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-10-12
(From the Wheeling Rsgister.)
On Railroads.

There is nothing which affords greater
encouragement for hope OF revival OF
good times and prosperity, than the in
terest which is being manifested gene
rally in local railways. In many sec
tions of this State, and in Ohio and
Pennsylvania, in the Immediate vicinity
of this portion OF West Virginia, this
interest is being shown very notably =
Not only are enterprises, such as the
Pittsburgh, Wheeling aud Kentucky
Railroad, which have been abandoned
for season, being reinvigorated, but
scarcely week passes that we do not
notice from our State exchanges that
new ones are being considered favora
bly, and enthusiastically. Regarding the
above mentioned road, we notice that an
effort is being made to reorganize. the
company on new basis, the object OF
which is to secure subscriptions, to be
paid only when the sum of $50, 900 shall
be subscribed by good and solvent per
sons, and also to obtain a transfer OF the
interest of Ohio and Brooke Counties in
the road to the new organization. This
done it is estimated that the road can be
completed at cost Of between six and
seven thousand dollars mile, or at a
total at s175,0o0. 1t is thought, too,
that If this reorganization can be effect
ed, the road can be pushed forward to a
completion to connection with She
Pan Handle road opposite Steubenville,
"a distance in all of about % miles, J
without difficulty. Regarding the other
class Of roads intended only to be built
in the interest of particular sections OF
this and neighboring States, among
which are the Weston and West Fork,
from Weston, in Lewis County, to q
point of the B & o Railroad near
Clarksburg; road from New Martins
vile, In Wetzel County to Huntington,
also on the Baltimore and OHIO road,
and other local roads in West Virginia
/ the road from Waynesburg to Washing
ton in Pennsylvania, ami that from Bell.
aire running in southwesterly direc
lion through Monroe County, o no, we
notice that they are all proposed to bt
built on the marrow gauge system This
i is eminently sensible. Not oaly dc
roads OF this, the three foot six incl
gauge. cost great deal less money, tn,
average estimate being about So, 600 pei
mile, but it is generally conceded thai
the net earnings of such roads are pro
portionstely much greater than are, e,thos
Of the standard, foot 81 inch. Ant
! were it not for the difficulty OF transfe
of freight, there is little doubt but tina
this gauge would be adopted even OF
j, trunk lines. However, the narrow.gaug
4 roads are what West Virginia has to rel
upon, and we believe they are destine'
to work out her future development an'
wealth. Every such enterprise pushe
} forward to completion, will repay in
:. short time through the benefits of hay
ing the country opened up, far NOR
than double the original cost. s's
True, times are dull AID money
scarce, but this very thing will work ad
5 vantageously to any company whic
can, by any means, carry out at thi
time its proposed objects. The cost c
t iron for rails, spikes, bridges, DC, is ia
! less than it was few years ago, whe
railroad construction was 80 brisk, an
probably this material is cheaper tha
!. can be expected when the long talked
2 revival of trade shall have been accom-
y plishel. Hence, the advan,age;of pusl
e ing these works now is manifest, and v
+ will gladly hail the day when net-wor
: of such roads viii make West Virgini
A what she is destined to become, one (
e'the wpaltAiest States 10 tue Union.