The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-21


OF Richmond, respectfully report as fol.
lows: .sg..5, .,II. !,
1st. In the opinion OF this Board the in.
terests OF this city imperatiyely demand
that railroad along the towinS-path of the
canal from Richmond to Buchanan should
be constructed with all possible speed, the
work to be commenced at Lynchburg, and
be carried on towards Buchanan and Rich.
mond at the same time; and corps Of en-.
gineers sould be put upon the work ut once
to ascertain the cost OF grading and laying
the track.
I'd. That the advantages which would ac-
crue to Richmond by such an improvement
justify q subscription Of as much as
81, 900, 900 il so much money shall be needed
to complete the said railroad.
Sd. That any amount which may be ap-
propriated by this city to the building OF
this railroad should be secured by mort
gage upon the property.
4th. That this city should have control Of
the said railroad.
MAJOR CoURTEEY's VIEWS.
Major Courtney said he did not think that
Richmond ought to contribute dollar to
the road unless it contributed enough to
extend it to Buchanan. He hoped road
would not be built from Buchanan to
LVnchburg, because then every dollar oil
freight would be taken from the canal. We
ought to guard any appropriation made by
requiring the road to be completed stimuli.
taneously to Richmond with that to Lynch
burg, il the latter is built at all. He did
not want Richmond to make an appropria'
tion and some one else to have the mort.
gage on it. II the road would not earn
,oh 70 int
ought not to be built. This road would
draw trade and travel from the Virginia and
Tennessee road. II it bad been built twenty
years ago Richmond, in his opinion, would
now be as large az Baltimore. ..
VIEWS OF THE ENGINEERS.
Colonel Cutshaw said he was not pre-
pared to give an offhand opinion on so
grave question as this. It would require
investigation to tell how much the cost oi
grading, &C., would be. .......
Mir. Whitcomb was similarly situated.
He said that he thought competent en-
gineer could ride over the route and tell in
three weeks within $4,000 OF the cost. He
thought Richmond needed the road, and
could not afford to allow the road to be
built from Lynchburg to Buchanan unless
the road to Richmond was built at the same
time. The canal would lose every pound
of freight. This road would have 80 much
better grade that the Chesapeake and Ohio
road, in its competition with other roads,
would be ultimately compelled to make an
arrangement to run its cars over it. There
would be 4 complete consolidation of the
two roads. The Chesapeake and Ohio has
always looked to this route to Richmond.
You can't build road to Lynchburg under
100 miles, as is supposed, with anything like
a adesirable grade. With 80 feet grade, 1T is
the shortest line. lam sure you can build a
road on the tow-path for $4,000 q mile-that
is, the grading. II you were to cut off the
angle at the Junction and purchase the
Soutbsde road you would get. about as
short line as you can get to Lynchburg.
THE SCHEME OPPOSED.
Mr.. Pickrell, with great Difference to the
views Of other members OF the Board, said
that in his judgment the scheme was one OF
the widest he had ever heard Of. He
thought the natural route would be on the
south side Of James river. He therefore
offered the following as u substitute for Mr.
Courtney's resolutions: o'
RESOLVED, That in the opinion OF this
Board the James River and Kanawha cana
ought not to be abandoned, but that the
money necessary to put it in order should
be advanced by the city OF Richmond when
ever sufficient security can be had for suct
advance. II desirable to have railroad com
munication with Clifton Forge, the true
route would be by taking south side o.
James river as u much shorter and direc
route, and, in the opinion Of this Board, tht
most economical in the end, and they there
fore recommend our representatives in tht
Legislature to apply for such charter.
Major Johnston said that the people Yves
Of Lynchburg, in that city, and in tn,
counties bordering on the line OF the canal
were all true and loyal to Richmond. HI
thought that they were all interested in thi
city, and II the people in the James-Rive
valley could be persuaded that Richmond
would give this large sum no other charte
in opposition would be asked for; but b.
would he frank in saying that there wer
persons in favor of building a road from
Lynchburg Ito Buchanan. a-
The question was then taken on the sub
stitute offered by Mr.. Pickrell, and it wa
defeated by the following vote:
AYEs.-Messrs. Talbot, Crenshaw, and Pick
NoEs.-Messrs. Stearns, skiukcr, Palmer, Court
neys and Christlan-5.. aas s.4.
Mr.. Crenshaw moved to adjourn b
Thursday. He thought there were seVera
influential members absent. -~-s.-..-.-.-s.,.-..-
Mr.. Talbot agreed with Mr.. Crenshaw.
A suggestion was made to amend Mr.
Courtney's resolution SO as TO provide for
survey OF the tow-path to ascertain tn
cost of the road.
The Chair suggested thati it might be vel
| to have this survey made by theicanal com
pany's engineers. 49,, .5..,' q,
Major Johnston said that be desired it t.
T be distinctly understood that his policy wa
to repair the canal. Just at present he Wa
! in very bad tx, because he, did not hay
any money to repair it. ;.}tys1r 5.lI.l
The Chair said that he thoughti it might b
| best to postpone action on the main resolu
tibn, because there were four members. ab
sent, and that it would be well for the ae
| tion OF the Board to go to the Council wit
the endorsement Of its members. ~
Il Mr.. Courtney suggested that there wa
quite as full q meeting as was likely to b
had at any future time. 8, t.t
Mr.. Talbot said, he was not opposed t
the railroad, but he wanted more time TO
consideration.
Mr.. Crenshaw wanted to see more figure
as to the cost Of the road.
On motion Of Mr.. Stearns, the Board ad
iourued until Wednesday at P. N.
| POLICE COURT, YEsTERDAY.-Justic
White disposed Of the following cases:
Andrew Smith (colored), charged wit
ieloniously assau!ting and wounding Austi
Mitchell with intent to kill. DR.. Broc