The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-03-28
Lynchburg and Richmond.

Naturally there should be an alliance be-
tween Lynchburg and Richmond. 1t has
been most unwisely interrupted, to the seri-
GUS disadvantage Of both, and still the more
serious disadvantage of the State itself. By
a discreditable combination hostile to this
city the mere application for The right Of soay
for railroad from Richmond to Lynchburg
was for years denied. 1t was only after the
war had begun and the necessity of a rail-
way from the capital to Lynchburg was too
clearly seen to admit of contest that charter
for road between these cities was granted.
That charter has for years lain dormant.
Some Efforts 10 secure 1t were made, but they
were unsuccessful. There was " too much
weight en- 'sother side," and over went the
bag. Recently several bodies of manufac-
turers and railroad men have made visits TO
Virginia to examine the mineral resources
of the James River Valley. They have all
been amazed at the extent of the mineral
deposits along the river, and the ease with
which they might be worked and their ores
transported westward to the furnaces of the
Ohio and eastward to those of James river.
But the main point with these sagacious
and practical gentlemen. was the establish
ment of the means of transportation Of the
rich ores that had elected their admiration.
So st the beginning Of the session of the
Legislature they sounded the body upon the
practicability OF obtaining charter for
railway along James river, or charter for a
piece or pieces Of road that might, with the
aid Of the canal, effect junction between
Richmond and Clifton Forge via the river.
They encountered unexpected discourage
meut. There was jealousy here; and Jeal.
ousy there, aud jealousy everywhere, and
above all there was pervading veto, exer-
cised as obstinately as unwisely, which none
could avoid without conditions inadmssible.
They abandoned all hope of prosecuting an
enterprise which could not possibly termi-
nate in anything allen to the welfare and
prosperity OF Virginia.
Fortunately, they beard of the charter
granted SO long ago for road to Lynch burg.
They got hold of II, were pleased with 1t,
and took steps TO. secure it. This they have
done, as will be seen By the following letter
from Lynchburg correspondent: :1,
LYNcHsURG, Va, March %, 1875.
To the Editors of The Dispatch:
Lear Sirs,-At last, sixteen years after the,
granting of the first charter, work has com.
nenced on the Straight.Shoot railroad few
miles below this city. 1t became necessary
in order to comply with the conditions Of the
charter to commence work immediately after
the organization, and during the last two
weeks A. l.. Williams, president, and b. D.
Whitconib, chief engineer, have been in the,
city looking after the interests Of the road.
William Joliffe, principal assistant engineer,
with E. S. Payne, Jr., and an engineering
force, have been locating the line, and on
Thursday last they put forces to work both
in Campbell and Appomattox counties.
II is probably not intended to do a large
amount Of actual construction during the
present season, as, of course, q great deal of
preliminary work is still necessary, since the
company has hardly been engaged q fort
night; but it is hoped that full engineering
force will be soon put in the field, and that
this Is the beginning of the end of the gexed
question that has so long troubled the Stale,
and that we shall ia due time have at least
one railroad that points toward Richmond.
,.s-...- a CAMPBELL.
Now, we do not understand from the off.
Gers Of the company-some of whom we
have seen-that immediate steps will be
taken to progress with the road. The first
object is to. commence the development of
the minerals where they cau be got at. With
this view they may begin by a combination
with the company just chartered by the Ls.i
gislature to make the Clifton Forge link.
The Ohio furnaces haE 20 a strong representa-
ton in this company.of prospectors, and.
they would be glad to start the ores to the
Ohio. But their plans include both the
ores east of Lynchburg and the con-
struction Of furnaces and works lower
down the river, as far as Richmond;
SO that the road from Lynchburg to Rich~
mond isan indispensable feature OF their pro-
ject, and will be attended TO with as much
energy as aaproper prudence will permit. 4
We are quite gratlfied ct the bare pros
pect Of a railway communication between
Lynchburg and Richmond. Lynchburg sits
near the Blue Ridgea queen of the wealth
and beauty Of the grand district in the midst
of which she flourishes. Richmond Is am
ether queen at the head Of tide.Water -the.
nearest point of tide to Lyncburg, Her
feet are bathed by the last wave Of
the longest and noblest sstretchsof inflow
ing tidat-wave that is known In the
nation. Richmond, like Lynchburg, has all
The physical stimulants Of saluority, topo- /
graphical beauty, and water.p tthst are
needed to inspire her citizens with that en-
s1gy, gigor, and enterprise that can be i'm
parted to q people. The people Of the two
cities are Sympathetic, their commerce and
their interests. copgeniab and they ought TO
be as intimate ass possibIe-fer their mutual
Feliare. Since elidatien ''s they have
bean greatly alienated, 10 the serious ipjnry |
81 them both. A great day will il be for |
them when they are united BY an efficient |
artery;o communication Oh. s.
aWamish tLb company which has. secured |
tho old s sssigh Shoot charter, as II was |
salied, ievety success. il Is the duty Of both
Lynehburg and Richmond to facilitate their
plans whenever they . ean. &, "A Il,
Al corrsspo adent send + us q table of quot.
Tors ef Che price sol the, bonds tofs soma
.hirIY splthsrn altiess iuclnAIng Richmond,
rom Hhiahi 40 nppeass that Richsnond' bands |
stane better than any Of the rest of them.