Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-22
The Valley Railroad Question.

Judge Hugh w. Sheffey, counsel fol
the Valley Railroad company, address
ed an assembly of our people in the
Court house, last Monday, on the SUBJ
ject of Botetourt's subscription to that
Co., and the future operations of the
Co. His object was to get the SUI
pervisors to give pledges to the Co.,
he represented, that Botetourt would not
embarrass their contemplated operations
by "coerciye litigation or hostile legisla-
ton, lin other words, would ratify
the recent action of the stock holders
meeting, held at Staunton, by which it
was determined to locate for the present
the terminus of the road at Lexington,
and let Botetourt await the ''eventuali-
ties of the future" The Judge read q
long letter he had written to Mr.. Lewis
LinkenhOker lin reply to letter he had
received from Mr.. j. J concerning what
Botetourt should do in the premises, in
which the main points of the questions
at Issue were reviewed; but no fresh
light was thrown on the subject. so far
as we could see. In his subsequent re-
marks, he mentioned the fact that the
road might some time be built to Buch-
Q,adn, but he did not hazard tie predic-
tiop that it would ever go to Salem. -
Judge Eheffey stated his points very
clearly and forcibly, as he is abundant-
ly able to do, but his persuasive elo-
quence fell upon ears deaf to his appeals.
His audience was almost unanimous a.
gainst the proposition he advocated, and
we doubt not the Board of Supervisors
are as nearly unanimous against it (;
(only one of the Supervisors was in
town and he is opposed to ratification J
The truth is, the people IF Botetourt
are tired of the Valley Railroad Gompa-
ny. Hope deferred has made their
hearts sick of it, and their present tenn
per is to do nothing In sustaining its
burdens, except what they are forced to
do. Under the circumstances it
is not probably to the interest of the
road to go to Salem ION which condi-
ton our subscription was made ) on the
contrary the road would be more vaIua-
bic with its Southern terminus at Lex
ington and to continue the line to Sa-
leEls where it would meet with hostile
CONNECTIONS, would be to lessen the
value of the whole line. Let the Valley
road therefore release BotetOurt upon
terms satisfactory to both the Company
and the county, and sell its property
and franchises to the S. V. Railroad
Co, II IL can 90 SO; or, under any cir
cumstances, agree to just compromise
with Botetourt, and thereby avoid
"coercive litigation Or hostile legisla
ton. ~" Ffac0stie Herald
At the close of Judge Sheffey's ad-
dress meeting of the citizens of the
county, was held in the Town Hall, Of
Fincastle, to consider the proper course
to be pursued towards the Valley Rail.
road Company. Henry Ballard was
chosen chairman, and DR.. Cyrus Dogget.
Secretary Messrs A. A. Woodson, J.
G. Moomaw, S. w. Smith, and M. W
Camper addressed the meeting. Mr.. M.
w. Camper offered the following reso-
lutions which were unanimously adopt
ed, viz:
RESOLVED, That we, citizens and tax
payers of Botetourt county, urgently re.
quest yur Board of Supervisors to der
cline to accede to the request of the Val
ley Railroad Company az made through
Judge Shelley to- day.
End, That our people meet at March
Court, to consider what action the coun-
;fy should take. On motion the meet.
ing adjourned.