Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-04-17
Communicated
The Fight Against the 8. v. e. r.


It is matter of paramount Importance that this
road should be built at once. We want Tue roao
and we want it quick
The County is already saddled with debt OF
sec. 900 the Bonds are out and we are paying In
terest on an reproductive debt This expenditure
has not increased our tax-paying capacity one
dime: il has not benefited the County single
dollar But give US road to compete with the
Baltimore and Ohio and we can pay the interest
on $3.50 900 infinitely better than we can bear the
burden of our present debt. Give us the new road;
give us competition and we can stand SOU ,0oo
much better than we can carry the dead weight oil
this $50 900 without the road and without the CON-
petition This is plain proposition which no one
will dispute.
The Shenandoah Valley is bound TO compete
with the Baltimore and Ohio. Philadelphia and
Baltimore are certain TO compete for our trade
These two roads and these two cities must COM
pete because their interests are permanently and
irrecencilably antagonistic.
IL this competition reduces freight cents on
wheat this County will save SIS, 900 every year
on our crop OF 500 900 bushels. The interest on
our subscription will be SIS 600, hence the saving
ON wheat alone will float the debt. Besides this
we win receive the benefit of a similar reduction
on all the other articles offered for transportation,
both coming and going. In addition 10 this, the
road itself will be new and extensive subject OF
taxation. But above all. reduction OF freight
will advance the value Of our property,-from
u
will elaborate in another communication.
1t is manifest therefore, that our County can
we'll afford to give bonus Of $3.50, 900 in order TO
obtain the proposed competition. Our position,
then, should be this, give us road to compete
with the Baltimore and Ohio. and You may have
the balance of our Bonds. You shall have the
Bonds the instant we get the competition; only
do the work,-quick. Every understands the
longer the work is delayed, the longer we must en-
dure the cruel and crushing extortion OF the Bal
/ 4 n'l..st. s.1r ri
a year out of this already impoverished County.
Hence the friends of that road seek to throw OBJ
stacles in the way and 10 embarrass the Shenan-
dosh Valley; because the longer the delay, the
longer the Baltimore aud Ohio will enjoy its mo-
nopoly. -,
With these facts before us, we readily see why
and how it is the Baltimore and Ohio is adroit TO
raise the cry that Jefferson is squandering her mo-
ney. This cry is deceiving and misleading some
people. Let us examine the matter. The County
has taken $3.50 900 in stock. la order to raise
capital the y. V. Company must mortgage the
road and the interest on the mortgage debt must
be paid before the stock can be productive. IL
the utmost economy is used: if the road is built
cheap; if the mortgage debt Is light; perhaps
twenty years hence someitte dribblets fdividends
may trickle into the treasury. But, no new ROAD,
| through an undevelOped country, pays at the
start. The road must build up the country and
then the country builds up the road and we don't
care how you work il, we are safe 20 say, tins
generation of taxpayers will never see dollar OF
dividend.
Butmark this, while you are riding your EcoN,
oMY Horny the work is standing still. This road
will be worth to us $4,000 year. Then don I
a delay of twelve months cost US that much profit
| Well, what will delay of five years cost?
Quit fussing and let the work 60 on. Fix the
contract between the County and the Shenandoah
Valley so that Bonds will be issued unless
and until we get the road. This done, then let
Jefferson stand out of the way, aud permit those
who propose to furnish the money manage the
business. These are hard times and we will be
very lucky to get the road at any price.
}. ". NJ.