The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-17
James River Railroad.

A writer in the last number of the South
e1m HateHigencer, in assuming or rather
stating that the project for a railroad to SUI
percede the canal had 'sfallen through, - as
the result of ''inanition,' or in common
parlance, 'swant of funds,'' connects the
name of Mr.. G. P. Huntington with the
scheme and associates him with the promi-
nent actors in the enterprise. 1t is due to
Mr.. Huntington to state that there is no
ground for such an assertion, and it is also
due to Mr.. Ewing and the other gentlemen
connected with him that this disclaimer
should be made that they may have all the
credit and honor that attach or are likely to
attach to the James River Railroad improve
ment.
The indications are not favorable to the
consummation of the hopes of those who
denounced every one who was trying to
guard the interests of the State in the terms
employed in the proposed transfer of the ca
nal. 1t does not look now like there was much
real, substantial data upon which to base the
great expectations which were encour-
aged by the Richmond press, as to the James
River Railroad, and it has now, as it has had
all the time, to those who examined the facts
impartially, the appearance of a huge job,
the failure of which is attributed to those sa-
gacious representatives who required guar r.
antees in the disposition of the franchises of
the canal. The laments, too, of the Dis
patch, over the alleged rudeness manifested
towards those from other sections, who were
seeking to find place for their surplus mon
ey in developing Virginia, are rather out of
place, when the history of the Valley i'm
provement is considered and the char
acter Of the opposition given from the
the source these complaints now come.
The difference is, the projectors of
the James River Railroad, did not ex-
pect to scatter money loosely, for, from the
evidences adduced in the sequel, as chroni-
eled by the btezligencer's correspondent,
they did not have it, while the parties who
at one time were willingand anxious to span
the Valley with railroad were plenty able
to do so.
We only regret that the James River rail-
road scheme gives such unpropitious prom
Use. We should like to see railroad along
the line of the canal, but upon such condi-
tons as would not place the Common
wealth. interest in that improvement at the
mercy of spectators who feel no concern
for Virginia, except as they would reap ben
efts out of her misfortunes. The spiteful
abuse INDUCED by the Dispatch towards
those representatives in the Legislature who
were not disposed to surrender veste d
rights for specious promises, can now be
properly appreciated, in the light of recent
events and as demonstrative of the fact that
all OF the wisdom of the State does not
centre in the capital city and its represen-
tative newspapers. Had it not been for
few Valley members the franchises and
property of the canal would have been
wrested from the control of the State,
without an adequate consideration and the
influences which would have consummated
the transactions be now complacently con-
templating the gullibility of the Mother of
States and of Statesmen.
AS it is, let those who have been promi-
nent in the effort to organize scheme for
the construction of railroad along the
James, in conformity to the plan consider
ed by the last Legislature, have all the cred
it for it as well as responsibility, and not
attempt to thrust the honors upon the
shoulders of Mr.. Huntington. who had
nothing to do with it, and probably never
gave it thought or suggestion.
Since the above was written we see it
stated in the Richmond papers that the ne
gotiations for the sale of the works, prop
erty and franchises of the canal company
are at an end The Railroad cnmnanv
Jailed to make the cash payment and the
deposit of bonds as required by the act of
the Legislature. This will surprise no one
who had dispassionately considered the mat
ter.
Under supplemental bill passed by the
Legislature at the last session, the Presi-
dent of the Canal Company announces his
readiness to make negotiations and receive
for the construction of road
similar to the one contemplated by the
Richmond and Allegheny Company. In the
the canal has been fully restored
to Lexington, and is virtually in operation
to Buchanan.
YELLOW FEvER.-Great alarm was felt
In Mem nhis Last week over the renort If Tho