Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-25
RELATIVE ADVANTAGES OF THE
RIVER RAILROAD.

The Tyler county Star figures that
the Largest measure OF advantage from
the proposed road down the river,
would accrue to Wheeling and Par
kersburg,' inasmuch as it would only
RIM along the edges Of the counties OF
Wetzel, Tyler and Peasants.
We 10 not understand the Star, how
ever, to argue that because the road
would cut only the edges OF these coun-
ties that it weuld he of little advantage,
but on the contrary, tits Tree to acknOwl-
edge that ultimately, under its stmu-
lating influences many interests would
develop rapidly, and in very short
space OF time this local traffic OF the
line would pay handsomely, as practi-
cally there would be no limit to the
business to be built up in that direction"
ii, as the Star predicts-and which
would be almost certain TO follow
branch roads were run from the interior
OF these counties To- connect with the
through line.
1t could hardly be argued that because
the Ohio river cuts only the edges OF
the counties named, that it is Of little
Importance or Of small advantage.
There is no part Of Tyler county that
would be willing to part with the Ohio
river, and no part OF it, however re-
mote from the River, but would feel
itself deprived of an inestimable advant-
aye if the River were not there. The
advantage. then, would certainly he in
creased ten fold, il in addition to the
river, they had railroad, even 'along the
edge" Of the county, upon which they
could depend in all seasons aud for ac-
cOmmodations OF such 4 character Is the
river cannot furnish.
Nor is it strictly true, as the Star puts
it, that the greatest measure OF advan-
tage would accrue from the railroad to
Wheeling and Parkersburg. Measured
by the tonnage that the road would
carry To and from these two points, the
advantage would appear greater than
that derived by any one of the counties
along the line. But the Proportionate
advantage would be the same. Ii is
Just a. important 10 the man who owns
a poor, little farm to have it developed
as il is To one who owns an immense
mandatory. There may not De as
many dollars and cents involved in the
one case rs the other, but the poor man
mas his all invested i'm the farm; it is
his sole possession; and lac must get
either the farm or It's products in the
market or starve. The interests at stake
may differ in degree, ii measured by dol
lars and cents, but are the same in kind.
Wheeling and ParkerSburg would de
rive an immense advantage from the
road, but they are not entirely depend
ent upon it. They have other outlets,
and can live without it. Not 50, how
ever, with the counties along the river.
1t would open to them opportunities
from which they are entirely cut of 1t
would place them at once in direct and
quick communication with all the prin-
cipal markets of the country. 1t would
make these counties a great thorough
fare for an immense travel and traffic
between the centres OF population. And
in this respect it is to them the opening
OF entirely new and immense opportuni-
ties for growth and development, while
to the cities OF Wheeling and Parkers-
burg it is only adding to what they al
ready possess.
But we refer To tins matter not for the
purpose of depreciating the advantages
that will flow to the two points at the
termini Of the road, or evading or dimin-
ishing the fair proportion OF money that
NAV be- assessed against these two points
for building the road We have no
doubt that a fair distribution OF the pc
cuniary burden will be made between
the localities 10 be benefited, and that
there will be a general disposition along
the line, the more the enterprise is dis
cussed, to regard il of such importance
Is to Justify each point in doing its ut
most To secure the benefits which will