The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-07
The Richmond and All EhaDy Rail
road and the lanai.

1t is not 100 SOOn lot Inc icoIlc Va Lk uSu-
burg to consider what is the interest OF this
city in view Of the recent action OF these
two companies. AS the question whether
we shall have railroad connecting us with
the coal-felds OF the Kanawha Valley Is to
be determined within the next sixty days,
no time should be lost in coming to con-
clusion on this subject, which is one of i'm
mense importance to the interest OF every
man in the city.
have been, with you, consistent advo-
cate of the aGdter-i1ne, under control OF the
State OF Virginia, as long as there was any
hone OF success. But we have seen this
time-h onored policy abandoned by one and
another, till at last even the president, dl-
rectors, and stockholders OF the canal COM
pany have unitedy abandoned all effort to
keen up the canal. Under such circum-
stances it is folly longer to oppose any we'll
devised scheme for substituting this dead
concern by a good railroad. It is no longer
a question between canal and railroad,
but between a railroad and nothing. What
arc the interests OF Lynchburg in this
matter? l think it can be demonstrated
that the best interests OF the city will
dictate the extension to the Richmond
and Allegheny Railroad Company OF the
most liberal and open-haDded encourage
ment. Instead of attempting to eNtort from
this company the last dollar for the clty's
claims against the. canal company, she can
well afford to make free gift OF all these.
She might. perhaps, demand the equivalent
in the stock Of the railroad company-cer-
tainIy nothing more. AS it is, the city Is
and must continue to be heavily taxed to
keep up the water-supply for this level OF
the canal. The railroad company. would
be able to do this. and this alon8Swould
be a fair equivalent for any claim OF the
city against the bankrupt canal company.
But, more than this, Lynchburg paid
100000 towards building the railroad
from here to DanVllle, and bali 4 million to
the Virginia and Tennessee road, neither OF
which have or ever can benefit the city to
an equal exteut with the road from here to
Clifton Forge, to say nothing of another
road to Richmond. Not only is it tine in
terest OF the city, but Of every individual
creditor or bondholder OF the canal COM
pany, to make the most llberel terms and
to give the most generous support to the
management OF the Richmond and Ale
ghany railroad. The early completion OF
this road will inaugurate new era OF pros.
perity for the whole James River valley
such as we have never known.
have said nothing in reference to the
interest OF the State in the canal, which it
is proposed to abandon by this change from
canal to railroad. AS to this, think it
must be apparent to every one, after mo.
ment's reflection, that the increase OF values
to alltaxable properties along the valley,
including the railroad itself, will speedily
reimburse the State for any apparent loss
for the loss is more apparent than real.
Always alive to the interests of the peo-
pie, as you are known to be, I am confident
that your voice will now be heard in favor
Of this the greatest enterprise ever projected
for the development OF our industrial re-
sources. - : BEAVER.
The above communication appears in the
Lynchburg Ne,gs Of the I'd instant, and We
are delighted to see the good feeling
towards the new state Of affairs it so album
dainty affords. The writer is entirely cor
rect in his belief that the railway up the
James,wil be Of great advantage to Lynch
burg. 1t should make it second Pitts
burgb, and OLE LynchbuEg friends will de-
ceive, sit their energy and capital do not
take that direction when this railway is
completed. as ~ i.