The New York herald., 1879-12-12
THE CENTRAL'S RIVAL
A Shorter and Better Route for the
Oswego Midland
PENDING
Syracuse To Be Made Prominent Point in tho
Short Line TO the Lakes.
lBY TELEGRApH TO THE HERALD

IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
SYRACUSE. N. Y. Dec. II. 1879.
The project which it appears probable that
Samuel J. Tden has set on foot for the opening up
of trunk line from the lakes to New York. via
the New York and Oswego Midland Railroad.
looked upon in Syracuse Of the possibilities
of the near future. Something of the proposed
scheme has been known in this city for some time.
but not until the HERALD showed how feasible it
was. and how far the plans for its consummstion
had progressed did capitalists appreciate the probs-
bties Of the case 1t is very natural that Syracuse
should be deeply interested in the proposed new
route nasmuch this city would. in the event OF
its establishment become the grand local point for
transshipment to the roads centering here.
Should Mr.. Tilden any other undertake tho
opening of the line, it is beyond doubt that the
Syracuse and Chenango Valley Railroad and the
Syracuse and Phoenix Railroad would be brought
into the combination. The former line runs from
this city southeasterly through portions Of Onon-
daga and Madison counties. in direct line
to Earlville. the northern boundary OF
Chenango county, where 1t forms junction with
tho New York and Oswego Midland road. The dis
tance is forty -four miles and the country traversed
fertile valley. abounding in magnificent farm land
aud settled by thriving tillers of the SOIL Along
its line are the important villages of Manltus.
Fayetteville. Cazenovia. Deruyter and Earlville.
The road is to-day in splendid condition and Is we'll
equipped with rolling stock. The road was built in
1871 original cost of something like s20OO0Oo.
The city Of Syracuse was bonded to the amount Of
$500, 900 for its construction.
NEGOTIATIONS THROUGH BROKERS. az
The company has passed through the various
vicissitudes Of railroad corporations and in
the hands Of q receiver, Mayor James J. Belden.
this city. His brother, A. G. Beden is the present
superintendent of the road which pays nothing
above running expenses. 1t ia understood in local
financial circles that the receiver Belden) owns the
controlling interest in the road and is willing to sell
if the terms can be made to suit him. The fact
that the present owners Of the New York
and Oswego Midland Railroad have been negotiating
for the purchase Of the Syracuse and Chenango VAL
ley Railroad has been known among those mostly
interested its welfare for week back It is also
reported that the parties necessary to contract
Midland people offered $3.50 700 for the road. but
the bid was refused. 100000 being asked.
hence Sir TiIden's connection with it could nos
be learned. The same parties who were nego tating
| for the purchase recently inspected the road and
pronounced it tit for its presumed ultimate purpose.
| The Cnenango road runs right into the Midland
Railroad depot at Earlville. hence scarcely switch
would be necessary to complete the connection
| which is made daily by transfer. This after
noon for the purpose OF learning the truth regard
the HERALD correspondents called at Receiver Bedens
| office. Mr.. Bsden being out Of town. however.
nothing could be learned there. The report and the
| figures given are generally believed. having been
| made public week ago.
|
To complete q direct route to Oswego 1t would bo
necessary only to obtain control OF the Syracuse
cuse anu Phoenix Railroad. This road was projected
about three Years ago and Is now only Ill partially
finished condition. 1t is crosscnt road between
Syracuse and Fulton, running due north. The limo
is graded the whole distance Of twenty miles except
| for miles between this city and Woodland sta.
1t is also entirely bridged and fenced fact tho
roadbed is in complete readiness for the iron. The
| work has been finished owing to the exhaus.
ton OF the capital stock for which scrip was issued
ard the towns along the line bonded. The president
Mr.. George c. Breed, of Phoenix. the moving spirit
in the scheme died of apopexy last week The road
would. doubtless have been completed had not
President Sloan. OF the Delaware. Lackawanna and
Western road bought up tho Syracuse North
ern Railroad aud run it il conjunction
with the Osweso branch Of the Delaware.
ent scheme would rescue it from oblivion.
and there is question that the Midland Railroad
| owners have an eve upon IL. About one week ago .
| request received from the Midland office by IL.
A. Brainard, civil engineer tor map OF the route,
which he forwarded No propositions for the pur.
| chase of the Phoenix line have yet been made. II
| could have been bought for song six months ago.
but in view of the carrying out OF MI Tildens ides
good price on it. The plan would be to abandon the
line Of the New York and Oswego Midland Railroad
now laid between Oneida and Fulton between
which points the travel is and has been utterly in
significant. Midland conductor says it is seldom
those places The only station Of consc-
| quence on the present line between Oneida
the the Midlsnd crosses the syracuse Northern.
change of the route by way of the Chenango Valley
| aud Phoenix road would shorten the distance and
also place Syracuse and several thriving villages
the line Over this route the distance between Syrs-
and Oswego would be ten miles less than via
the present route 1t therefore apparent that the
new plan will not be likely to receive President
Sloans cooperation. The union Of the Midland.
Chenango Valley and Phoenix railroads in . trunk
line from Lake Ontario to New York would certainly
have tendency to turn the tide Of travel and traffic
from the Central Railroad. Connections north,
south, east and west could be made at Syracuse,
where the New York Central. Syracuse Northern,
Syracuse and Binghamton railroads all centre. syra-
cuse would become important shipping point to
the seaboard The commerce of the lakes would
find outlet here by way of Oswego, and the route
being several hours shorter would be preferred ~
shippers. The line would open up also vast
area OF country now prosperous, but only awaiting
such opportunity for further development.