Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-05-28
Some plain Words to the Citizens of Mar
tins Ferry.

TN , n tNFls
MARTINS FERRY, o., May %, 's9.
To ne Editor Of TIE Register:
SIR:-Iu the pas Martins Ferry was
noted for her hbsrality aud substantial
encouragement OF railroads that sought an
entrance within the city limits. Notably
50 IN tie construction of the old reliable
@ x p the liberal subscription to the
stock Of the Wheeling and Lake Erie and
d donation OF $50, 600 toward the location
and erection here of the machine shops of
said company; and still later the grant to
the O., l.. 4 w. X. K. Co. TO construct aud
main track, sidings and switches on First
street, from the southern to the northern
limits OF the city, distance of over two
miles, said street, IN fact, being the only
continuous one north snd south within the
city Limits, and mscadamizsd its entire
length at a cost Of many thou ands of dol
lars by the citizens within the distance OF
one mile Of the same; ami still later Of the
franchise 70 the Msrtin's Ferry Terminal
Company to construct their tracks over.
across and lengtbwise of streets, alleys,
rosdways and ogher public grounds. No
one will say that the encouragement thus
given 70 great enterprises tending to de.
velops the material advantages of our city
as q manufacturing centre was too lavishly
rendered, unless in the case of the O., l. Il
W r. K. Co. Compare the past action Of
our citizens with that of to-day, and note
thu difference. Foreign capitalists alone
iur1ish the money 10 lay the foundations
and construct magnificent double track
railroad bridge across the Ohio river at
his poin:, en6 pay exceedingly good
nay exceedir gly g00d prices 10 our citizens
for lands taken Two competing hnes,
tie C.. L q W. ana W. & l. f are, or
have been seeking to entey the city limits
from the north and pray tell as what
announcement have been shown them?
Have any public meetings been called,
any appointment Of committees 10 en-
courage or assist them IN securing rights
OF WAY, or hold out any inducements for
them To construct their tracks in the i'm
mediate vicinity Of cur present manufac-
turing establishments, and where We h pc
TO see others established, and where they
undoubtedly wOald be- should these COM
peting lines be not driven by narrow
minded policy TO cross the bridge ssd
build up the manufacturing industries OF
Wheeling. In this event these
lines would be of nc more benefit
70 Martins Ferry than if they entered
Wheeling from the opposite side OF the
livsr, Martins Ferry possesses desirable
sites for manufacturing purposes But let
MS not deceive ourselves that we slon
possess them, and that the railroads have
go come here Take for example the w.
81. E.. a strong and well managed road
coming direct from the lakes aud iron ore
re ions with it's many important connec-
lions now being rapidly constructed 10 the
io the Ohiorivsr 81 Portland, after reach
ing the river, its managers come down ,he
stream Z. see what business there might
he here for their road, and ascertain
whether the feelings OF our people are
friendly or otherwise toward their enter
prise. At few points rights Of way were
purchased at prices ranging from five to
ten times greater than would have been
asked for the same property for any other
purpose, some people manitesting no In
terest in their enterprise, seeming TO think
the road was bound to come and could
not 70 elsewhere They then turn their
attention to points up the river. There
they find not only more business, bat a
friendly feeling toward the road, as Is
shown by tie towns OF Brilliant and
Mingo giving them right Of way free,
and Steubenville in addition to free right
of wav within city limits, bonus Of
$50. coo. Result, the Wheeling and Lake
will be finished to these points before the
end Of the year, while Martins Ferry
loses road that perhaps would have been
of greater benefit 10 it than any road no"
here. Hoping our people will take an IN
tsrest IN this matter, am,
ENTHUSIASTIC