National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-05-07
soUTHERE KGRYLANp RAILRoAD.
Annual Meeting Of the stOokhOlders-Report
nf the PrAaihant

The annual meeting Of the stockholders OF the
Southern Maryland Railroad Company was held
yesterday, and the following board of directors
was elected for the ensuing year: Samuel D.
Smoot, John Van Riswick, E. N. Darling, Frank
Andrew Saks, Charles B. Church and 7: a:
Cook, Of Washington city; Benjamin u. hSTIs
and John N. Bronze, Of St: Mary's county, No,
and h. b. Beymer, Of Baltimore. ,
The following is portion Of the annual report
Of Col s. s. SmOOt, the president:
owing to the continued effect Of the PaalSSS 81
1873, the general stsgnstion Of business, and the
depression OF railroad interests, the company mas
not been able to negotiate its securities. Nego.
Of . successful Termination. The road is now in
such an advanced state that it can be completed
TO the Baltimore and Potomac railroad, near THIS
city, and with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
where Its line crosses that Of the Baltimore and
Potomac railroad near Benning's station, within
nine months, thus furnishing continuous Hne
to the harbor Of the st. Mary's river and Point
Lookout, and q short branch to the mouth Of the
Patuxent river. II -.
The past winter demonstrates the necessity Of
an early completion Of this road, furnishing as II
does TO the cities Of Washington and Baltimore
AHARBoR FREE
at all times from any obstruction by ice, and
rapid and convenient outlet to the ocean, besides
saving from i've to six hours over the present
time to Norfolk from the two cities named.
During the past session OF Congress the I'M
portance OF this road to the Government ana tne
commercial interests Of Washington and Balti-
more was brought to Ms notice, and the proceed
ings Of that body have made record Of its value
and advantages which clearly demonstrates the
great benefits which must result from its compile
lion, and the establishment at some point on the
st. Mary's river Of great naval coaiing station.
The attention Of the industrial centres OF the
Great West have been attracted to the vast i'm
portance Of this great commercial outlet on the
Chesapeake waters, and the company is In receipt
Of many letters from prominent business men Of
THE WEST AND NORTHWEST,
indicating the ivelest interest in this enterprise
and making inquiries for detailed Information.
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 in a condition to command that
attention that is due to SO great an enterprise as
this. The completion of this line Will add greatly
to the yalue'of property in this city, by opening
up country heretofore comparatively unknown
to our people, and giving them another rapid out
let TO the South, thereby cheapening the neces-
saries Of living In our markets.
My great aim has been, and is, to complete this
important road as early as practicable, thus fur
n1Ehing great commercial line, which mutt give
q permanent impulse to all tue Industrial inter-
ests Of my native city, and hope that at the
next annual meeting of the stockholders will
have the great satisfaction Of congrstulating the
citizens Of Washington upon the hnal accom-
plishment of this great work.