The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-15
Difference in favor Of Rich.

The meaning Of these figures is that with
TWENTY-FIVE feet Of water from the head OF
tide on James river 10 the sea, depth
which Richmond can have in five years II
she chooses. the Norfolk and Western road
would, By means Of its Memphis and trans
Mississippi connections, be elghty-0ne nlle.
nearer TO the Pacific coast than II Is from
Norfolk or Newport News; and over route
not only shorter, but much better, thsn any
north Of il. Thus the advantage conferred
NV Richmond on the Norfolk and Western
will he altogether secondary to this; and
will be so considered by that road.
As TO RicnmOnd's building the road: \
cost of Sl5. 900 per mile for forty-eight miles,
the assumed distance, say SI5O,OO, and TWO
bridges, one across the AppOmattoX ana tue
other across the James, at cost OF. say,
Sl75. 600. will be hardly less than $9OO,OOO,
saw 81 OOO. 90. Suppose she has this sum
invested in the road and at the mercy oil lts
managers! and then suppose they shall
want to absorb II. How easily that can be
done the next time the road goes into the
hands of receiver! Is il said that II VIII
not goy | ask, why nOtg The Chesapeake
and Ohio. with Mr.. Huntington to back 1t,
has gone into bankruptcy twice since ne
has been working it..
The Richmond ard Allegheny railroad
went into bankruptcy, and on a surplus OF
1900 900 at that, eighteen months after u
was built: and so remained until the Che,a-
peake and ohio relieved it. The Atlantic.
Mississippi and Ohio, (DOw the Norfolk ana
Western, as we know, 10 which Richmond
also subscribed literally in several OF lts
links. failed under the management OF zen
eral Malone. And the Atlantic and Dan
Vile has lust "succumbed 10 unfortunate
circumstances, TO use an euphoneous for
.Iudicous bankruptcy" and The INST thing
we hear il that the county subscriptions
will all be swamped.
Besides, have we forgotten our liberal and
sagaciOus subscription Of 100000 10 the
tunnel hich was TO lead Mr. Huntington
TO Rockets. and has landed him at New
Dor News!
I'm the past Richmond has subscribed
literally to both railroads and the canal,
and though she still carries the Indebted
ness therefor as part OF her present
and continuing burden, think she has not
received dollar for her investments.
Why then when we complain that the
Chesapeake and Ohio have made way
station of our city, after they have got our
money, should we give million TO another
road, which will do the same thing when
ever its interests may prescribel
No: if Richmond terminus is a neces-
great advantage, that company will ascer-
tain il quite as soon and appreciate II
quite as fully as Richmond. And il that
road. ~ Progress says, "has done more 10
build up the country along its line than any
other corporation in the state" if its policy
has been as wise and liberal as he says it
has, If it has. as he further says, been lately
able to borrow $i3,0O0,O0O on its property
thus showing q credit more than twice as
good as RichmOnds. 1t can be relied upon
10 spend One-fOrty-third part Of its credit
in building road which will not
only put it in direct communi-
cation with eity double the
size Of any other in the State,
but will also give it az outlet to
the sea eighty-one miles nearer than any it
now has, and a better route 10 the Pacific
than any north Of it. Its refusal to build
such a road would be because it had not the
means or thought there was no money in it,
or believed that the Dispatch could revive
the old. policy of city subscriptions 10 rail-
roads. do not think that upon review Of
the past the city will consent TO such "A re.
yiyal. Ii she will not, then the only effect
Of the Dispatch's article. if it have any at
all, will he to cause delay whilst the rail-
road il waiting 10 see what Richmond will
do. SO thinking | am compelled to say that
regard its article as unfortunate.
FRANK G.. RUFFIN.