Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-03-17

will be built, and that speedily. The
charter is one OF the most liberal ever
given to railroad almost, which is an
indication that West Virginians are not
opposed to railroads. Mr.. White spske
at length upon the large mineral re-
sources, the wealth OF timber lands, &c.,
in West Virginia, and ended by saying
that the people OF West Virginia look
to Pittsburgh ~ city that will greatly
prosper by developing their State, and
they offer Pittsburgh every inducement
to assist in the development OF the State.
Mr.. James II. Hopkins said that il
Pittsburgh is to maintain its supremacy
asa chief manufacturing city OF the
Union, the Birmingham OF America, it
must take means to reach out for cheap
er ores. He proceeded to speak at some
length in reference TO the relative value
OF narrow gauge and standard gauge
railroads. He insisted that in Q noun
famous region especially, narrow gauge
road had an immense advantage over a
standard gauge road in the cost OF con-
struction and the cost OF operating. 1t
is well understood that the Pittsburgh
Southern railroad is endeavoring 10
reach the mineral regions OF West Nir.
ginia. He had no rivalry with other
lines in way that would amount 10
hostility, but he could nevertheless as.
sert that narrow gauge roads were pre-
fersble.
Mr.. Vim. r Hart. of Philadelphia,
connected with firm operating in iron
ores in Virginia. gave an account OF the
relative value OF their ores, and the
cheapness with which they can be
placed in the market. They have sold
10000 tons OF ore TO Pittsburgh and Vi
clnity.
Routes Of the Roads.
Mr.. J.. ID. Weeks showed upon the
map the proposed route OF Senator Da.
Wis road iu West Virginia 10 connect
with the Richmond aud Allegheny road.
The latter runs from Richmond TO Clii-
ton Forge. The Richmond and Ale
gheny, and the two roads already started.
the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston
and the Pittsburgh Southern, should he
pushed through IA speedily as possible.
The wonderful resources Of West Viz
glnia and the Valley of the James are
only awaiting outlets for their develop.
ment. The markets thus opened TO
Pittsburgh products will he OF immense
value TO it. In the West they are build
ing railroads from no place to the end Of
a squirrel track. where there is nothing
10 be found except the squirrel barking
up a tree; and yet while hundreds OF
miles are being built in such countries,
so rich q country as this is being neg.
lected. Mr.. Weeks read letters from
several persons expressing interest in
the subject, among them being one from
Hon. J. q. Blaine.
Mr.. Kent was in favor OF a syndicate
sending experts down to West Virginia
to see II the testimony given Is carried
out by the proofs. That is the only way
TO get the people interested in it.
Mr.. B. +. Jones thought that il the
scheme for opening up such Il railroad
Is properly put before the capitalists II
could be carried out. lie deemed II a
most unaccountable condition Of Affairs
that hundreds OF miles OF road can bs
built in the West where there ia little
else than the products Of the soil for
transportation, and yet a road cannot
be built into such wonderful region
near by us.
Mr.. Ramsey said there was much said
about discrimination in Pittsburgh, yet
il has been demonstrated that Pitts
burghers are very slow to put their
hands in their pockets 10 counteract dis
elimination in the only eiIectual way IL
can be done, by building new roads.
A flor somo furthpr informal talk the
meeting adjourned.