Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-08-24
The S. v. Railroad and Berkeley
County Court.


The County Court Of Berkeley were called
upon at their late meeting to make an order
subscribing the seventy-fve thousand dollars,
subject to all the conditions imposed by the
people Of Berkeley, to the Shenandoah Valley
Railroad. A fell knowledge Of the situation
was detailed to them By the Hon. VIM. H.
Travers and U. L. Boyce, and the importance
OF prompt action thoroughly understood The
Cur. adjouroed without action either negative
or Affirmative.
The Shenandoah Valley Railroad have oEer-
ed to the people Of Berkeley CoUn,y cOnnec-
tion With their principal city Of continuous
line Of rail travessng the richest agricultural
region Of the United States, and iutersecting
and connecting with the whole Southern sys-
ten Of Railways, upon the condition that they
would give She construction Of the road within
sheir limits such reasonable all as the benefits
70 be derived from {; would Justify Then indif-
ference would isSicstc Sat they fail 90 appre-
este the value ofthe connection, aud that the
friends Of the road elsewhere oyerestimate IT,
We understand tia. the County Court is sus-
GAINED and justified by large aud influential
property owners in the immediate neighbor-
hood Of Martinsburg, toe point Of Junction
n this be true, the County Court were proba-
bly, governed by the Impression that there has
been a change in the popular mind in their
County. Whether that be so or they were 90
verDed by fear or unauthorized assumption Of
authority agains, the people whom they are
elected to represent has no practical bearing
on Tie question. They have retarded for a
short period Of time, connection via the Cum
berIaad Valley road with the city markets, and
It now becomes on, imperative duty to seek a
connection with that road At the most availa-
Die point. That point seems to be generally
accepted as Bedington. The distance from
Shepherdstown to secure it is Gully eight miles,
over a country easy for railroad construction
4 survey of that route shoOld be made without
delay, aud We doubt uot that every facility for
its construction IN regard 20 right Of way, de-
pot purposes, &c, will be gladly granted by the
people along It's course.
The people Of jefferson County are surprised
It this rather unneighborly action OF Berkeley
aOd their conduct is subjected to very free and
NOT very complimentary criticisms. Many as
sumiog that they tbilk the road is compelled
10 construct 70 MaStinsburg, aud they there
fore declined to appropriate the sum voted by
the people. We Dc net believe this Of Berkeley
but DO believe that the County C5ur, have de-
H6erately come to the conclusion that 90 sub
stantill benefit Will be derived from it. While
this, TO some extent, changes the general de-
sire, II does not in the least interfere with ID,
speedy completion Of the road, As a sufficient
sun ~ill remain 10 the hands Of the Commits
sioners Of the Jefferson County Subscription
70 build a connection with the Cumberland
Valley Railroad by producing the Main Lin,
Of the Shenandoah Valley Il. r., through from
Shepherdstowa to Eediugton, aud this will uu.
doubtedly be Immediately accomplished
The contractors, MesSrs Satterlee 6 Co.
are pushing the construction Of the road a.
rapidly as possible, and 10 every way indica
Gug the intention to faithfully live up to anc
execute all the duties under their contract
So long as this continues they will meet with
corresponding COOL faith on the part Of Jetfer,
SOD. AID the other Counties the road traverse.
up the Valley