The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-01

believer In forcing trade it can only be
induced by attractions greater In one place
than in another. What attractions have
we now In this city to draw these minerals
ana wealth from that section OF country
] do not mean to deprecfate our attractions,
or to say that In the future they will not be
greater. But I do not think any conscien-
tious man can say that they are now greater
than at present in Baltimore, PhiladeIphia,
and other northern cities. II they are as
great, there are already two competing
fines between this and Lynchburg, both Of
which are bidding now, the one against the
other, for freight and passengers hither.
It is ridiculous to speak OF their diserimi-
mating against this city. Railroad corpora
tions look solely to self-interest, and il
either of the two now-eSisting railroads
between this and Lynchbarg found much
freight seeking Richmond, they would
readily reduce their tariffs so as to e5secure
those freigbts, especially as they might have
the canal undertaking them. With the
three now-existing carriers bidding against
one another, the tariff would certainly be
put at the lowest figures, il there were the
freight to bring hitler.
Railroads discriminate against local
Sreights because they are entirely at their
mercy. But tue history OF the past ten years
shows clearly that where there is eompeti-
tiof freiehts will be reduced even below the
barest cost OF transportation. It will per-
haps be said that the proposed railroad will
bring about such reduction. But ls this
city justified in subscribing S750,000 mere
~ to enter into a competition with the two
railroads now in existence between this
and Lynchburg? Can we afford to carry
irelghts between those points at lower rates
than those two roads will-never mind how
low they reduce their freights-not to
Richmond only, but to Baltimore and other
points north? For it Is not simply question
of freishts between this and Lynehburg,
o. even Clifton Forge. Our freights must
be so low as to induce persons not only to
ship by the new road, but to send to Rich
mond rather than 10 Baltimore, Phladcl-
phia, Pittsburgh, &c. The sop is held out
to us that Richmond, naming four sevenths
OF The directors, will have the control OF
the road. What is The control Of the road
il we have not the control OF the freights
We want the control Of the ireights more
than the control OF the road. The latter
will follow the former. Northern cities
control railroads because they control the
freights-that is, attract the freights to
them-and il we cannot control freights
between this and Clifton Forge our pre-
posed railroad will soon be sink-pocket,
falling into dsuse and ruin.
We are told, however. that the Baltimore
and Ohio railroad built Baltimore. Grant
that it dds there any comparison be-
tween this proposed railroad OF 200 miles
and that stretching out with It's connections
10 all OF the western States? 1t would be
far wiser for us to subscribe to finish the
western connections OF the Chesapeake and
Ohio railway, which would then be worthy
Of comparison with the Baltimore and Ohio
road, than to subscribe to this stuntcd rail-
road, leading really noWbither except to an
other railroad now connecting us with the
Ohio, and which, indeed, would have its
grasp on the very throat Of the proposed
road at Clifton Forge.
I look forward with JOY to the building OF
the James -River-Valey road after the Ches-
apeake and Ohio railroad has finished its
western connections; but then simply in
connection with and as second track to
that road. For | believe when the Chesa-
peake and Ohio road has completed its
western connections it will need second
track to carry lis greatly-increased freight ;
and it cannot build 4 road on better grade
and at less expense than down the James
River Valley. But at the same time | be-
lieve if the valley road be built now, and as
rival or independent road 10 the Chesapeake
and Ohio road, 1t will soon, from sheer dis
use, be at the mercy OF the longer road, and
be leased or bought by it at merely nomi-
nal price.
In Judging Of the control by the city OF
the proposed road, in addition to what
latp ocE hath
the result OF this city subscribing, long ago,
to the stock Of other roads, such as the
Richmond and Danvile and the Tennessee
railroads? do not regret the subscription
to the former especially, for | believe that
road has been OF great value to the city
But as to the control OF that road: What
control has the city now over it by virtue ol
its subscriptions? Has the city not long
ago sold ont its stock therein, Is it found il
better to sell than to keep ?-indeed, | be-
lieye, almost worthless to keep. And the
same fate will attend the subscription to the
stock OF the proposed road. in few years
the CITY will be glad 10 sell its stock il it car
find purchaser.
But again: Can Richmond now subscribe
$3.50, 900 to any external improvement, how
ever beneficial its advocates may declare
it? ! pass over for the present the lega
question, which i: Il very grave one-name'
". the contract with the city bondhold"r'
that the debt OF the city shall not exceed Il
per cent. OF its assessed values. That ques
| ton will certainly be fully ventilated in olii
| courts as soon as we issue new bonds tt
the proposed railroad company. Let u
simply look at our finances. II is vel
known that property here, as elsewhere
has very greatly deprecated since our las
assessment was made; and it is generally
believed that at present values in the mar
ket our Indebtedness has very nearly, il no
quite, reached the IS per cent. allowed by
our charter. Our present indebtedness:
EQUALS, believe, four and hall mil
lions. We shall soon be obliged t.
expend large sum again on oul
| water-works-how much, no one car
tell, Judging from the injuaicions expense:
hitherto incurred therein. We are alst
sadly in want OF city holl large enough
to hold the five different courts now helt
| in the city, besides offices for the city OH
| cers, and room enough for our very yalua
BILE and extensive State law library. lt l.
true the EXPENSES Of both Of these object
NAV be extended over several years; bu
the necessary outlay will be very great.
am afraid to give the estimates made b!
those qualified to give them. Besides these
it is also admitted that our city Jail is dis
grace to us, and engenders rather than pre-
yents-crime. Moreover, it should maxi
every citizen shudder TO think OF the pun
lsbments inflicted on juvenile criminals, i
! may so call many OF those who have Ieve
been taught the difference between righ