The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-04-02

An Ontlet Demanded Prom the Central
Ohio Railroad TO the New TuscarawRs
Valley Route.
The GAINESVILLE people take a very
sensible view Of their geographical situa-
ton. They realize that they have been
pretty badly hurt by the building OF the
Bellaire and Southwestern road, which
has seriously crippled their trade in Mon
roe county, and therefore in order to make
the most Of their natural facilities for
doing a manufacturing business, they are
discussing the feasibility Of a connection
with the Tuscarawss Valley and Wheeling
railroad, which, If made, will give them
a competing outlet to the East and West.
The Enterprise has an interesting article on
the subject, from which we make the fol-
lowing extract:
GAINESVILLE has reached a high stage of
development as an agricultural centre, but
q town OF this size should aim higher and
endeayor to be something more than an
agricultural and trade-centre. Our future
efforts should be devoted to the establish
ment OF manufacturing industries. But 1t
Is useless to talk about manufactures
without competing railroad lines. Several
efforts have been made In this direction,
and while some have won q gratifying
success, in spite Of all obstacles, others
have been crushed on account OF the ex-
orbitant charges OF freight, which rend-
cred 1t impossible for GAINESVILLE manu-
f~acturies to compete with towns which had
better railroad facilities. A liberal policy
on the part Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad would have fostered many man.
ufacturing establishments in GAINESVILLE.
But instead Of developing our manu-
featuring interests, the practice OF that
company has retarded them, and 1t Is use
less TO talk OF GAINESVILLE as q manufac.
turing town unless We have competing
railroads. Illustrative Of this point, a re-
cent instance has come under our notice.
Manufacturing firm Of GAINESVILLE de.
sired 10 send o car load OF goods to the
Far West. The goods were sent around
by the Cleveland and Pittsburgh and Pan
Handle railroads, and a saving Of one
hundred and thirty dollars was effected by
sending in this way instead OF by the d.
rect route to the West.
What GAINESVILLE needs is a competing
route at her own door. Fortunately, this
Is not difficult to obtain. A northern CON.
nection with the Wheeling, Tuscarawas
Valley and Cleveland Railroad will solve
the difficulty. This road in its course
from Wheeling to Uhrichsville, runs in a
northwesterlY direction, and at, or near,
Freeport passes within sixteen miles OF
GAINESVILLE. From Barnesville to Free.
port there is q rich and prosperous valley
the natural bed Of q railroad. This
route has been investigated by practical
surveyors, and 1t is estimated that the
road may be graded and made ready for
the rails at q very moderate cost.
A connection with the Tuscarawas
Valley railroad would give us a compe.
ting line East and West, at Uhrichsyille,
with the Panhandle and PENNSYLVANIA
Road, and would enable us to reach every
point between New York and San Fran.
cisco at the lowest rates OF freight. Il
would also place US in direct connection
with the vast system OF railroads which
pass through Northern and Central Ohio.
As Dol a the road is completed, freight
rates 10 all points will be reduced, and
GAINESVILLE could ship goods as cheaply as
any town in the State, This would insure
the prosperity Of our manufacturing es-
adjustments, and cause many new ones
TO be started. GAINESVILLE already has
every advantage except railroads. Coal Is
cheaper here than any point In Eastern
Ohio. We have abundance OF unem.
ployed labor, which could be engaged at
lower prices than elsewhere on account
OF the cheapness Of provisions. In
manufactures GAINESVILLE must seek her
prosperity. The recently published Wi.
ume OF Massachusetts, labor statistic eon.
tains an article that prominently brings
out the fact that the growth Of population
in most towns has been more promoted by
the development Of manufacturer than by
anything else. In iour.ffths Of the in.
stances where causes OF growth in towns
could be aseertained, the reason assigned
was development OF manufacturer
while mora than one.half Of the towns
that had declined, owed their deterioration
10 decline OF manufacturing This
statement strikingly proves, what every
one has felt assured oil from observation,
manufacturing lies at the foundation
industrial progress In nearly oil towns
that flourish. GAINESVILLE must introduce
This element OF success into her industrial