The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-05-29
Maryland RaiIroaaa.

In addition 70 tho roads already con.
zsrueted, there have been several projected
ID different parts u tho STATE, which for
The present, a least, serve ouly to give
occasion for ross.eolored reports from
hopeful and Sangaine presidents and stock.
holders, from time 10 time, or to form the
subject Of M occasional paragraph IL the
columns of the press in their respective
localities Among these, We mention the
branch road to connect Emmittsburg with
the Western Maryland; the Bachman's
Valley Road to eonnec. with the Western
Maryland at Westminster; the charter con
templafing mad from Westminster to
Washington, connecting with the Penn
sylsauia roads BY Bachman's Valley and
the PArkton aud Manchester Railroad.
An these roads would be highly beneficial
to their respective patrons if they could be
finished and put into successful operation,
and no doubt they win be, or the most Of
them. at no very distant day. But there
are other projected roads in this State,
which command much attention, but give
little promise Of speedy construction. We
allude to the Southern Maryland, Point
Lookout and Drum Point Railroads.
These three last mentioned roads, have 50
far, little more than projected existence.
Some surveying and grading have been
done, much money and breath expended,
but very little progress towards eoustruc-
ton has been made.
With reference to the southern Mary
land and Point Lookout Railroads, the
ST. Nasy's Beaeoa does not seem to in
iulge in very sauguinr auticipatiOns. 1t
says, the Presidents Of both Of these com
panies fare in high feather over the con
dition Of their respective roads and are
prolific Of most promising statement in ne
gard to the ultimate result Of both these
enterprises We have faint recollection
of having seen these rose-eolored shOWings
before, and, unless our memory Is at tauls,
there was the --latest Of contradictions be-
tween the pronunciaMentoes and the per-
formanes. This as it may, however, We
have no disposition To disPaage present
railroad cndeavors aud only insis. that our
county shall make no further investments
in enterprises Of this kind beyond giving
rights Of way and moral encouragement
We even suggest that no man shah be
elected to the Legislature or Commission
ers Court this Fall who i Of doubtful
opinion Gu this question, particularly, Il
he be also gentleman of loose or uneer-
tain virtue.
The expenditure Of the proceeds Of
county bonds in surveying and grading,
viii 60 but very little way towards build
ing a railroad. Ties aud rails are needed,
after the surveying and grading have been
completed, and ties and rails are the most
expensive parts Of these structures. Ssr-
veyiug and grading parties may serve 70
amuse rural population, while they are
making the crooked places straight and
the rough places plain, and buooIie gsn,le-
men, while enjoying their tobacco quids.
may End pleasant topics Of conversation in
recounting anticipated improvements in
their respective neighbOrhoOds, but this
don't build railroads; il takes money for
sueh work, and the empty bottles and
debris Of surveyors dinner parties wont
ballast the roads.