Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-06-24
WHsEIINN3 W.V.A. TIEsDAY MORNINGS JUNE "a. 1884
THE T. N. az. aAllaoAD.
Palatins Csti.sa onsrs Fss susEsss6ss
- ne rrbiie. NJ


FAIRNoST, w Va, June 23.--Your cor
respondent at this place in q recent issue
stated that the town of sPalatine will have
reason Of the F. NJ: r railroad Company
having decided to bridge the Monengahela
river at the mouth Of Buffalo creek, and as
serts that the railroad company decided to
do this because the right Of way through
Palatine could not be, secured, on favorable
terms. Tins statement does the enterpris-
ing citizens of that town gross injustice,
as they put up the money and guaranteed
the right of way from the proposed bridge
crossing to the junction of the B. & o. rail-
road at the head of the Monongahela, dis
tsnce of two and one-half miles, at the es-
innate placed upon it by the proper officers
of the company.
The Money Put Up
was fully sufficient to pay any excess that
might arise above the amount deemed prop
ier by the companys agents, and in addition
citizens committee had secured and stood
ready to deliver. rights of way nearly the
entire distance at the prices which were
considered satisfactory BY the company. 1t
will be seen therefore that your corre-
spondent will have to advance some stronger
reasons than high rights of way through
Palatine to account for the F., NJ. Il P. to
erect costly bridge across the Mononga-
hela, when by simply keeping along the
east bank of the river it could unite with
the main stem of the B. 4 o. R. r. within
distance of two and one-half miles, and at
a nominal cost As he is possibly inter
eSted in making it appear that the high
rights of way
Through PaIatine
was the chief obstacle that induces the
crossing of the river, it may enlighten him
somewhat to suggest that the people here
will not likely be deceived by such flimsy
pretense. More important considerations
than the mere pittance of the cost of right
of way doubtless moved the company to
make the bridge Two strong reasons are
assigned here. The first is to enable the
F. NJ. & p, to get across the river at a
favorable point to seize upon and strangle
its rival-the peoples road-the West Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania. That perhaps is
not matter of much consequence, as at
the rate that enterprise is progressing, the
Youngest citizen viii be ceutenarian be-
fore the completion of the work. But the
second reason is important, as ii involves
the interest of every citizen in the counties
of Marion and Harrison and Lewis who
have timber to sell or other commodities
which they have been accustomed to ship
by way Of .-'-a..
The River.
The proposition of the F., NJ. Il P is to
bridge the Monongahela at point and at
such height and with such a number Of
piers and abutments as will effectually shut
the river up against RATS, and boats, as well
as to remain q perpetual barrier against
slack water navigation to this point, there
by forcing our timber men and others who
have heretofore used the river as an outlet,
to ship by their line Of road. These two
nice little schemes are pretty well under
stood, however, and at the proper time will
be given that degree Of general attention
which the public interests demand. The
F. NJ, 4 p, which is but another name for
thesB. & o. R. R., has not treated the citi-
zens Of this county with such disinterested
consideration in past dealings as to induce
them to close their eyes and shut their ears
while these distinguished railroad gentle
men rob them of natural franchise, tire
navigation of their river