The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-15

Richmond Il naturally In q position to
compete with her for the southern trade,
Il Is also true that our businessmen should
watch every development OF the scheme
now on foot TO form n connection between
the Virginia Midland and the Baltimore
and Ohio railroads. Unless Disseminated
against in freight rates by the railroad
lines south OF us we cannot oely supply
The southern market rs cheuply as can BAL
timore or any other northern city. bu'
can al southern orders with great
saving of time. We have also by
/ reason OF the ncarness OF our ship
ping points Rockets, Newporfs News,
and West Point--to the sea every adyan'
tagc for marketing and shipping the pro-
,luce OF the South. Yet 1t will not do tt
RELY on the existence Of these facts to con-
troll the southern trade. We must let them
be known by continually bringing them
before the public, and should be on tho
alert to forestall any freight arrangement
between the Midland road and its pros
pectiyc ally and the connections south Of
Danyille that would initiate against the
| interests of Richmond. No one denies the
right OF Baltimore TO make the most adj
yantageous arrangement she can; but II
in the face OF the inducements Richmond
Offers Baltimore Is allowed to cut into ouI
southern trade 10 will be our own FAULT
! Experience has taught our merchants and
manufacturers that II is much easier to hold
trade by prompt, active, energetic measures
than to regain 1t after il has been once
diverted. The Monumental City Is terribly
IN earnest In pushing the new scheme
referred TO, as Will be seen by the follow
ing from the American, which should be a
note Of warning TO our people:
1.-THE Merchants and Manufacturers As
ISOLATION Is pushing the scheme for new
southern railroad connection with the South
as rapidly as possible, and from the state
ments OF leading parties interested 1t is
learned that in short time a favorable re-
suit in the negotiations will be reached.
Mr.. j. Frank Supplee, prominent men,
Der of the Association, returned from New
York Yesterday, where, in connection with
other business, he had been looking after
the Interests Of the new project. The plan
OF the proposed railroad connection, which
Is to unite Baltimore more closely TO the
South than ii is now, was outlined in the
american last Saturday, IL being to make
a close connection between the Virginia
Midland and the Washington branch OF the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad. 1t Is stated
that the Baltimore and Ohio Company
is willing to help the enterprise in every
way, and officers OF that company have
been interesting themselves in the matter.
The negotiations will probably be COM
pleted in q short time with the pr0prietors
OF the Richmond and Danvllle system, and
then the Legislature and the people Of Bal
timore viii be called upon to do their part
in the matter. A large sum of money must
be invested. Baltimore must have an in
terest in this great southern system OF
railroads IN order to offer the southern
trade better inducements and improved
rates. The exact sum that
the city OF Baltimore will be asked to
subscribe has not yet been announced
by the projectors Of the movement,
but merchants who have the business
OF the city at heart say
tlat III VIII De q safe anu SOUND INVESTMENT
for the city to make, and at the same time
necessary one, rs Baltimore must have bet
ter facilities TO the South IL 1t is desired to
compete with other cities. or to preserve
the business already in our possession.
II the negotiations now nearly completed
with the proprietors OF the Southern sys-
tenn result satisfactorily, which there is
every reason to believe they will. it will
not take long to have the Virginia Midland
and its connections with the entire South
coming direct into Baltimore. improving
the cotton trade and business of all kinds.
BY traffic arrangement it is proposed to
make with this southern system bet
ter rates aud facilities will be as
sured to Baltimore. while at the same time
the interests of the other railroad lines
running into Baltimore will not be affected
In the least. In the event OF Baltimore Sc
curing this much-needed southern rail
connection, it will not only bring the trade
OF Virginia closer, but a'so that Of all the
southern States as far down as Florida.
The Richmond and Danville system con-
trolls all the leading railroads South. For
that system to have an outlet ut Baltimore
will secure to this city advantages that 1t
has never before possessed to so great a
degree, while in turn Baltimore can con-
tribute large amount OF business over
those lines, and will soon control that
trade TO which its geographical position
entities it,"