Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-13

Our Railroad Connections.

Ties of blood ana aHectloh' VI IVS"'Vy
and ancestral pride. bind Richmond 10 all
other sections Of Virginia. No true son OF
the old Commonwealth can speak OF the
capital city without language OF praise;
without words expressing an appreclatlVe
feeling that finds warm reciprocatlon mere.
Now and then the demagogue tor MS
own selfish purposes and sordid ends per-
yerts this feeling and aTouses momenta-
rily hostile sentiment, which enables him
90 accomplish his designs; but tins done
passion subsidies.
Mutual respect, good will, and fraternity
exist now, as ever before; but they need
cultivation and development The plant
is here. but it must be fer.ilized and
watered. watched and tended, so that 1t
shall not only bear fruit abundantly, but
of the richest quality. The only way to
effect this IL for the people to be brought
into closer contact with each other. Ac-
uuaiatanceship will strengthen into love,
and love this smoothe every difficulty that
arises.
What most we need to perfect our agree
able relationship is to see each other Of
II.
demanded by kinship and courtesy, but we
should keep up constant stream OF Dusl-
ness intercourse. and yet this-all-im-
portant as it isis practically forbidden
by some Of the schedules now in force on
railroads in Virginia.
The sovereign people when they granted
TO these corporations liberal franchises and
financial aid never dreamed that their crea-
lures would make strangers OF sections of
the State-of communities who before that
time Mere bound together by uninterrupt-
ed intercourse. Yet such Is the fact.
Some Of these nOn-connecting schedules
If they do not absolutely forbid visits to
Richmond. at least offer premiums to the
people TO turn their backs on Nirglnia's
capital and 60 northward. For years these
annoyances and wrongs have existed, and
the people have borne the injustice with
patience and forbearance.
Ii is time now toascertain who is at fault
and see that the best interests of the Com
monwealth are no longer sacrificed IN the
rush of the railroads for through business.
The matter of proper passenger connec-
lions at such places as Gordonsville,
Waynesboro', and Staunton is too impor-
tant to be allowed TO rest. The public de-
sires to know whether these connections
can be had-if not, why not and where the
responsibility for neglect or failure rests.
From the report made by the Inland
Trade Committee of the Chamber of Com
merce at the last meeting of the Board
of Directors Of that organization it APP
pears that the Chesapeake and Ohio Is
ready and willing on its part to make
proper connections. IL is now in or
der to ask the authorities of the Virginia
Midland if they will establish proper con-
nections at Gordonsville; the Shenandoah
Valley what it will do in this direction
at Waynesboro' the Baltimore and Ohio
what il can be relied on to do at Stanton.
Let these roads say whether they will or
will not cooperate with the Chesapeake
and Ohio TO afford proper service to the
public. We do not mean to assume by
these questions that these roads will do
less than the Chesapeake and Ohio in this
matter. We simply desire TO call their at
tention TO the position OF the Chesapeake
and Ohio. Probably it would be well for
the authorities of the roads interested at
once to hold conference III Richmond
and determine what they can and will do.
Such conference would disclose tho
riot of the trouble and enable the rene
dy TO be applied.
Yes, let us have the connections; or if
the railroads cannot agree among them
selves let each company send representa-
tive to conference to be held here.
Here is practical opportunity to practice
arbitration.