The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-01-19
F0r Ihe ItclI Wing.
ELKTON AND MIDDLETOWN RAILROAD

The Eastern Shore railroad, with lateral
travel tending to Baltimore, might luce
been. The Delaware railroad, with lateral
branches, from the Eastern Shore diverting
trade and travel from Maryland to Phia
delphia, is a fired fact. SO far as regards
the failure to build the Eastern Shore rail
road, 1t is now useless to retrospect. 1.-The
strength to win victories, when there has
been nothing but defeat, is to be found in
fresh Alliances"
Two railroad connections have been pro-
.iected. The one from Elkton TO Massey
The other from Elkton to Middletown. The
former is Gead. The charter has expired,
aud the fund subscribed aud paid in has
been distributed to the subscribers. The
latter, from Elkton to Middletown claims
attention. In all public enterprises, three
things deserve consideration
LIST. What should be done:
2ud. U0r" it should be done:
3rd. When it should be done.
What, then, should be done to bring the
Eastern Shore of Maryland and Delaware
into cheaper and more direct cOmmunica
ton with Baltimore. The distance from
Middletown to Wilmington is twenty five
miles, from Wilmington to Elbton is egh
teen miles, from Mlddletown to Elkton is
twelve miles. SO that a road from Middle
town to EIkton would shorten the distance
from Middletown to Baltimore Mirty. one
miles. Such an advantage to the frat and
gram growers of the peninsula needs no
argument. Baltimore is rapidly taking
rank as a great grain market, and while
most praise worthy efforts are being made
to secure the trade from the West, the i'm
pnrtance of the trade from the peninsula is
greatly overlooked. Grain over the Viii
miugtun & Baltimore railroad can be de
llvered direct to the elevators at Canton,
and thence loaded in vessels for foreign
ports. Fruit growers could, with this con
meeting link, ship to Buffalo and other
Western cities, via Baltimore, with a saving
OF time aud cost. 1t is manifest this road
should be built.
HoW should it be done? From Elkton to
Miidletown is twelve miles For a consd-
cradle distance the bed is already graded.
1t is estimated that the road can be built at
a cost not exceeding 100000. OF Cecil
county'S proportion of the Eastern Shore
railroad appropriation, $5S, 900 still remains
in the treasury and might be applied to
this road. Thus more than one fourth of
the whole cost is provided for. 1t ought
not TO be dlHlcnlt 10 get STOCK taken tor the
balance. From communication in the
Baltimore Sun, of the 18th inst, with edi-
toral comments, and asD an article in the
Baltimore GUzett6, of the 9th inst, calling
attention to the Importance of at once
making this road, it would seem that Balti.
moreans are waking up to the matter aud
would, no doubt, subscribe literally. Cecil
and other sections interested would do
their part and there is no doubt but that
the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Balti-
more Railroad Company would generously
lend helping hand. The road can be
made.
When should it be doneo Now. The
cloud of financial distress that has so long
paralyzed public enterprise is passing away.
Capital is seeking investment; crops are
large, aud the foreign demand insures good
prices. Beside, active steps should be
taken at once. because the charter will ex
pre on the 25th of March, 1879. Within
that time books must be opened, &c.
Let the Commissioners act without fur
Their delay. Open the books and the stock
will be taken, and soon the State of Mary
land will enjoy the benefits to be derived
from this short connecting road.
CECIL.