Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-05-11
RATLROAD Is, CAN4L

is to foreibly remind one of the old fable of
the wolf and the lamb. It's excuses are lame
aad Hmsy.
First, the railroad contends that the canal
benefits Georgetown aud Alexandria beyond
the reach Of taxation OF Maryland. Will the
railroad explain how this effects the revenue
1t is TO DO hoped this sudden awakening to
the interests Of the State will induce the rail-
road to pay up its large arrearages TO the
State and thus show by is own acts how
much truth there is in this sudden interest in
revenues of the State. Will The railroad just
In this connection inform the public how much
it has cost the State Of Maryland in lawyers
fees to collect what it justly wthhelds from
the State.
Again, if the canal can benefit Georgetown
and Alexandria without interfering with the
railroad and at the same time give employ
ment TO largely increased number Of labor
ers, and also greatly increase its own revenue,
then but one conclusion eau be drawn from
such a course, and that is the railroad pre-
sumes TO control the prosperity Of Georgetown
and Alexandria, tho commerce which gives
employment aud bread 10 the already suffering
and impoverished laborer, and the success and
revenues Of public work, not only Of vital
importance TO the large extent Of territory
bordering and adjacent thereto, but Of gravest
Interest TO the State when it is considered she
has In il an investment OF fourteen millions Of
dollars at least.
Will the railroad please tell us how benefit
ing Alexandria and Georgetown Injuries the
railroad, no, how it Injuries the State The
State can take care OF itself; it would certain
ly have an unreliable guardian in the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad, il we may judge the
future by the past, for how bard it has been
for the State to get even that which was Justly
due her from the railroad.
We can see nothing in the recapitulation Of
the respective tonnage Of these works for sew
eral years as given in the statement of Mr..
Garrett which tends even to prove in the
slightest degree any wrong or Injustice on the
part of the canal toward the railroad each
and every year shows that the railroad car
riage Of coal is greatly in excess Of the canal.
The appeal to ;he city of Baltimore is ex-
tremey weak, that a small place like George
town should be brought into serious eompe-
fitioD with Baltimore. The idea is preposter-
Gus. The little money carried to Georgetown
by the coal trade finds It's way back to Balti-
more in mercantile trade as naturally rs the
small rivulets seek the larger streams. Increase
the resources and trade OF Georgeto yn and
you add Just SO much to the wealth Of Balti-
more, the surplus If any benofting our own
county of Montgomery, adjacent to that ancient
city.
The city Of Baltimore is amply able TO take
care Of itself, and such sympathetic feelings
come with III grace from company that in It's
every day transactions will charge farmer
nearly US much for car from Baltimore to
the Point Of Rocks, in Maryland, as il does
from Baltimore TO Chicago, Illinois
We trust there is some sincerity in these
expressions of sympathy on the part of the
railroad towards the people of Maryland, and
that it will soon be exempfed by reduction
in rates at all points where no competition
exists in proportion 10 points where COMPETE
ton does exist.
Again, will the railroad please inform us
whether The construction of the Metropolitan
branch was for the benefit os Baltimore or OF
the road. II the railroad could effect a termi-
nus tomorrow more remunerative and ad-
vaniageoss than that Of Ballomore, how long
would it consider the interest Of the city?
Now as TO The charge that the canal pays no
h. oh hae hoo h. Ga
and while the canal was under clouds and
difficulties it was unmolesled by the railroad,
but so soon as difficulties are removed, the
clouds dispersed, and hearts Of the tax pay
ing people Of Maryland made glad with the
bright prospects that in few years that which
had been 80 long burthen should prove the
source of relief, This bright prospect is blighed
for season longer by the action Of the rail
road.
There was day 10 the State Of Maryland
when weak and nervous citizens wished the
canal would wash out into the river, but that
day has passed; ii has been excmplifed that
with proper management the canal will pay ia
debts. The people Of Maryland have invested
in II about fourteen millions of dollars which
they expect 20 realize from 1t, and The men oil
company that attempt TO destroy that interes
will receive tho first condemnation Of I'll,
public.
The railroad boastfully procams what il i
70 number Of counties in the State and TN
employment 1t gives, Ne, but it loses sight 0
the fact that at last this all inures to the benef
4 . Al, 1,