National Republican., 1885-12-19
The nnltImore and ohio RnlIrond.

! maize the signing of u contract between
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
and the Staten Island Rapid Transit Rail-
road Company. The one Is the oldest
among the most comprehensive, and from
! the figures II presents, is one Of the most
prosperous Of all the great corporations
or the time. The other, young and un-
finished work, but from its geographical
position, 1t is, we venture to hope, des-
tined toplay an important part in the fu-
ture of its great ally. 1t is betrothal of
prince from abroad, whose domain extends
through vast realms, with q nut-brown
country maiden. Though young and In.
significant, she possesses charms that have
attracted attention, and her domain, though
small, has singular beauty and promise of
great utility"
Referring to the significance of the event
in itsrelations to the whole country, Mr. WI
man said that civilization did not habtually
assume higher form than In the improve
ment In the means of communication be-
tween localities. The railroad, he said,
even In our own recollection, has done more
toconquer time aud space, and bringinto use
ful subsection the forces Of nature for the
benefit of mankind, than all otherinnuences
combined. The vast continent, he added,
which is our heritage would be q compar-
ative Wilderness but for the most perfect
means OF communication Of the great rail-
road systems Of the country.
The city of Washington has profound
interest in the two great railways-the Bal
umore and Ohio and Pennsylvania lines
which, reaching here from the west, afford
almost unrivaled facilities for passenger
and freight transportation. These corpora
tions are the rival giants which arc contrib
uting almost immeasurably to our pros
perity. Leaving here for the north and
east, they push on-side by side, as 1t we're
to Baltimore and Philadelphia and the great
commercial emporium Of the continent.
Every event that contributes to the adyau-
tnge of either of these roads is benefit to
the capital.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN congratulates
President Garrett--worthy son of an hon
ored father-on the auspicious event which
wascclebrated at Staten island last Wednes-
day night. President CARROTS associates
in the management of the Baltimore and
Ohio are also entitled TO congratulations.
Among the great corporations to which this
country is in large measure indebted for the
wonderful progress achieved in recent years
we can name no one that is entitled to more
conspicuous mention than the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company.
Among the agencies which may be relied
upon for cooperation in the vast and.in-
creasing labors necessary to insure continu-
ance OF national progress in years to come
This magnificent corporation stands in the
front rank
1t would not be Just to say that the Bal
timore and Ohio Railroad Company has
merely shared the growth and development
OF the country. 1t has done much more
than that-it has been one of the great fac
tors in the production OF that growth and
development, and its splendid share therein,
its steady accumulation of wealth, strength,
and influence, has been but the natural re.
suit aud legitimate reward of well directed
business enterprise
There is no corporation in the United
States or any other country whose history
may be studied with more profit than that |
of this company. 1t has had no spasmodic
reviyals or depressions. 1t has enjoyed n |
regular but steadily increasing prosperity. |
IL has never resorted to sensational bust |
ness methods, has tried no financial experi- |
ments. 1t has undertaken and accom-
plished great things, but its achievements
have come OF its own strength. The man
agement has never for moment lost sight
OF sound business principles. 1t has always
Teen conservative In the best sense of the
conservative in that 1t has stood
Firmly on its own base, relied on its own
money and brains, kept faith with the pub
lie, with its employees, and with other cor
pora'ions. Its conservatism has kept IL
steadily In the path Of progress and enabled
IL TO move on when less safely managed cor
porations have suffered serious reverses.
If one could imagine a country producing
an abundant supply Of nearly all that 1t
consumes, supplying its own wants, and
annually shipping surplus to foreign Gus.
tcmers, he would get something like an
adequate conception Of the strength OF this
self-containcd and self-reliant corporation.
True, this company does not produce the
raw materials which II consumes. It buys
rtn, steel, lumber, and many other COM
nodities, but II is one Of the greatest of
corporations. To illustrate,
Turing the year 1884 the company built
orty locomotives, thirteen OF the largest
i2e Tor freight service, each weighing more
han 100000 pounds. During the same
ear the company built 3,5S2 cars and pur
hnscd about 500 more The equipment
dded during the year, both of locomotives
nd OF cars Of great capacity, has been the
argest in the history of the company. At
he present time the corporation owns
bout 700 engines and $4,000 cars. These
ave all been acquired without the lnterven-
ion OF cur trusts, or intermediate agencies
r methods of any description, such as have {
onsumed the earnings OF other roads. {
The road bed, tracks, aud engines have
u been maintained at u high standard. All
he tracks Of the main stem aud nearly all
lie numerous branches cast Of the Ohio 9
liver are now laid with steel rails. The in |
reas6d cost of steel substituted for iron
lils has been uniformly charged to "repalr O
rcount'-G significant fact when compared {
IN the bookkeeping methods of other t
lilway corporations. t
For THIS exceptional and highly conserva- E
We system Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail a
'Gd Company there Is no parallel in Amer {
a or Europe More than $4IOOO,OOO Of Il
u cash earnings have been added in better Q
ont Of the property, and this vast sum Is {
'day unrrpcfented by stock or bonds. q
Ike tie thrifty farmer the company, meta 81
ioiically speaking, owns the COW and has G.
isod the calf for the benefit Of the stock
IldeTs r.
Tie ircrcsso Of tonnage Is illustrated 10y b
c Iact that In 1874 the company trans J.,
'itod cast and west Ij2 25G tons Of mer- 81
endise, wilhelm 1884 It transported 2, ,975,- 81
. tons. a