The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-03-03
a Branch line of the s. v. Road.

A Branch line of the S. V. Road. t
The recent purchase of the A. M. & 0. road t
Nv gentlemen prominently connected with the s
Valley, would seem to be another
step towards making this last named line i
grand trunk route across the continent. Long
400 its projectors had in view such a result as
now seems imminent. Indeed the great val
lev from Salem north has long been regard
ed as the natural outlet for the trade of the
South and Southwest. Years since the eyes OF
practical observers were turned to the many
advantages it afforded, both geographically,
and in traffic producing aspect, and it was
even then marked out as the future thorough
fare between the North and South A glance
at the map will shaw that nature must have
planted its mountains and directed its streams
with some such intention, for they seem to
have been arranged with direct reference to
making the Valley the great conduit of ton
mage and travel between the two sections.
Prior to the war the Baltimore & Ohio compa-
ny contemplated through line over this route |
and applied to the legislature for charter. |
The road to be built was designed to be |
thoroughfare, which would afford the most di- |
rect communication between the sections. For
the reason that it did not make the rest of the
State pay tribute to Richmond, the charter was
denied and for the time being it was thought
the project had been abandoned. But the as
gacious and far-sighted menied men were
loath to give the scheme up, and after the war
the Valley railroad was chartered and placed
under construction as link in the much
longed for chain. 1t pushed on and part of it
was completed. Staunton was connected with
Harrisonburg by one of the finest constructed
and most substantial roads in the United
States, and the work south of Staunton was
designed and executed, in part, on the same
permanent plan. Money was not spared in
making the road-bed far above the averaged for
it was known that should the desired connec-
lions south of Salem be formed, through trade
and travel would have to be accommodated.
In the midst of these operations the crisis of
'73 came with paralyzing effect, and in an IN
finished condition the road was abandoned for
pany, perhaps from failure to make the
necessary arrangements for Southern connec-
tons, seemed to have been little disposed to
recommence the work, when times grew bet
ter. Indeed that company appears to have
given up the idea of completing the road to
Salem, and the last proposition is to make
Lexington the terminus for the present. Even
this much is problematical.
Approaching the great natural advantages Of
fered by this route, the Shenandoah Valley is
preparing to push its work south of Waynes-
boro, and its owners having purchased the A,
NJ. & O., the most desirable connections are
afforded and bright future opens before it.
1t is destined to be one of the leading roads in
the Union, and traversing, as it does, a section
SO rich in minerals, will command from the
outset splendid trade.
The practice of the Pennsylvania Central,
which, it is understood, has large interests in
the Shenandoah Valley, has been to build lat
teral branches as feeders. Should the same
wise policy continue to prevail, we doubt not
that the authorities Of the road will see the de-
STABILITY of constructing branch from Staun-
ton to connect with its main line. The point
of junction could be at Port Republic, or per-
haps, better still, at Weyer's Cave. This would
necessitate only about fifteen miles of con-
struction, with only two bridges of any conse-
quence, over easy grades and an excellent
alignment. Not only would such branch
render the Shenandoah Valley entirely indie
pendent of the G. 6 o., but would make it an
equal competitor for the trade of the back
counties which finds its port of shipment at
Staunten. This trade is by no means insig-
niicant. 1t embraces almost all OF the export
products of Highland, Pendleton, Pocahontas
and other western counties, which added to
Staunton's demands, and the needs of the sec
ton comprising the southeastern and western,
portion of Augusta and adjacent territory of
Rockbridge, make up freight bulk well de-
serving of attention from the public carriers.
Again. Should the West Augusta road be
constructed, which it would seem is not alto
gether improbable, Staunton would be brought
in direct communication with the Dora and
other coal fields, and should these coal deposits
develop as it is claimed they will, branch
road from Weyers Cave to Staunton would
place the main line of the Shenandoah Valley
within thirty miles of an abundant supply of
fuel, thus assuring the erection of a number OF
furnaces along its route, and the creation of a
large and permanent traffic.
Not only this, but the section through which
such branch would pass, is both fertile and
thrifty, and the local freight and travel would
be considerable. The people along the pro-
posed line are enterprising and liberal minded,
and we feel certain would encourage the pro-
ject by every means in their power; right of way
would not be hard to get, nor would any I'M
necessary obstacles be interposed.
When it is remembered that Staunton is
now the point of competition of freights and
travel between the G. & o. and the B. & O..
roads, the comparatively small cost at which the
Shenandoah Valley could come in as an equal
\ bidder, should certainly impress upon the au-
1thorities of the last named road the advantages
TO be gained by the building of short and
inexpensive branch. We invite their atten-
ton to the project and trust they will at least
investigate and see if the plan is not feasible.
The Dispatch has happy faculty OF
jumping at conclusions. Without fact or
8IGuuGub W SuSbdlu III piO In
GILMAN position in the State canvass,
which is warranted by nothing we have
said through these columns. We have dis
tinctly stated what we believe ought to be
the policy of the party. and as distinctly
stated that we had no authority to commit
the party to that policy. Our presump-
ton would have equaled that of the DIS.
patch had we assumed tn at responsibility
The Republicans have an organization
They have State Central and State Exec
utive Committee, of neither of which are
we a member. These co mmittees, by con-
current counsel no doubt. will determine on
the time to hold State Convention, and
that onvention-composed of delegates
representing the sentiment of the Republi-
cans of the various counties in the State
will indicate the policy of the party in the
approaching canvass. We have no author
ity for saying what that action will be. We
+cau onlv cav what we think IT. ought to he