The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-11-26
Ghe GntelLigeneer
wuEGLING, W. VA NoyEMBER.C, 1888


Tho u. 4 O.'A ADVANCE on now i"TA'
1t might have been thought that rail-
road company desiring to enter the State
OF New York through New jersey, the
project including the bridging Of nGVi-
gable stream, would have been obliged to
look for the necessary franchises only to
the public authorities interested.
Before New YORK, New Jersey or the
United States can be heard from on the
new enterprise Of the B. K o., two or three
other railroad companies and their partl-
sans youchsafe the highly important in
formation that the newcomer will never
be allowed 10 land on Staten Island. spe'
officially the B. 4 Q. Company is not to be
permitted to build the link Of eighteen
miles from Bound Brook to Elizabethport
or to construct bridge from the jersey
shore 10 Staten Island. As yet no inter
dict has been promulgated with regard to
the ferry passage from Staten Island to
New York City.
It is easy to understand why rival lines
already planted in comfortable terminals
in New York harbor, do not look with
favor upon the coming OF new and
powerful rival. They could not have
been expected 10 offer cOurtesies, and they
have not disappointed expectations. Here
their opposition ought TO have stopped.
The obstacles in the way Of the Baltimore
4 Ohio, about which heretofore the other
companies were so willing to inform the
public, were all physical, as, Tor example,
that the whole waterfront was already
occupied by parties who won'd not sell.
But now the obstacles with which the
progress Of the Baltimore 4 Ohio is threat
ened are Of very different kind, having
to do with the juggling Of legislation and
Legislators in New Jersey and in Congress
and possibly in New York. Ii the bridg'
ing Of the Kill will promote commerce
between the States and no! obstruct a
nayigabIe streams; and il the building Of
eighteen miles OF railroad in New Jersey
would do no violence to good public
policy, there are no grounds on which
Congress or the Legislature OF New Jersey
can refuse to allow the Baltimore & Ohio
to 90 ahead. The arrogant threats, then,
mean that come peculiar influence known
10 railroad managers is to be exerted to
keep out OF New York competitor whose
entry there will be OF great advantage not
only to New York, but to large popula-
tons South and West OF that point
The concerns Of great trunk line are
not alone personal to itself or OF merely
local moment as touching any one point.
1t might, therefore, easily happen that
such an opposition to the Baltimore 4
Ohio as is showing ITSELF exerted in the
way proposed, would react upon the other
companies at numerous points along their
several lines. The people Of this country
ask fair, open, healthful competition in
interstate commerce, Of which the rail-
road is the chief carrier; they expect pub
lie servants to contribute in all proper
ways to this end; and il corrupt practices
obstruct the way in one State, they might,
with some show Of the old Adam, take
reprisals in another State.
This they might not always do wisely,
and that again would be bad for the bust
nees OF the country. The question is so
very broad that the people will not feel
kindly disposed towards those companies
which treat 1t in narrow spirit, and they
will be likely to find ways to resent an
opening OF shambleB at any State capital
with intent to buy ratification Of their
hostile decree.