The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-08
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY S. 1900.
The PROPOSED NEW LINE TO
WASHINGTON.

The Times has been very close observ-
er. and has made diligent inquiry mere
and there in an honest endearor to get
all the facts concerning the application
that has been made to the Legislature
for the privilege Of building another rail-
road between Richmond and Washington.
We regard it as question OF great IN
ferest. not only TO the city OF Richmond.
hut to the State of Virginia. Therefore.
we have tried to view the matter from
every standpoint. but would be quite
sure of The facts before taking a position
cSher, one way or the other We have
not thought it wise or just, however,
from any standpoint. to denounce the r..
r. e. p Railroad Company as a grinding
monopoly, railroad ably and honestly
managed, and only exercising the rights
granted by the State. nor to harangue
the Legislature, crack the party lash
over the heads Of members, and try to in
1irnida,e them by crying monopoly
and trust" Every single line between
any two points may he called a monopo-
Is.
1t has always been the purpose Of Tie
Times TO. he a Virginia newspaper: to
treat all sections of Virginia fairly, and
DO pursue such policy as would, in our
Judgment, promote the welfare Of the
whole State We have devoted great
deal OF our editorial space, as well as OF
the news columns OF the paper. to the
interests of this section and that, trying
as well as we could TO befriend each sec
ton and all sections. and to promote the
moral and material welfare of the Com
snonwealth OF Virginia.
We have abstained from discussing the
proposed Riehmond and Washington Air
of the facts we deemed essential for
reasonably good judgment in the case.
There is great difference between
granting a charter for a railroad between
points not already connected and the
granting a charter to a rival railroad be-
tween points already well served.
Virginia has no general railroad law:
Il would perhaps, be better If she had
There would then be no lobbying, bu. the
Legislature reserves to itself the right to
grant all railroad charters. Under this
rule committee of the Legislature in
restigates the whole subject, determines
The expediency and necessity of the pro-
posed new road; how 1t will affect rights
already vested and generally weigh the
pros and cons Of the proposition in the
light of a full knowledge Of the object to
be obtained, the means whereby, and the
persons through whom it is to be ac-
comlil:shed.
j; has come 10 be automatic in railroad
good business proposition. unless the ex-
listing line is either oyeIburdened or
someS ther connection can be secured by
the new line not obtainable by the old
one. Ii is a waste of capital to construct
iwo lines of railroad where one is suffi-
Gent.
While the States interest in the r.. +.
& P. r. r. is no more TO be considered
than that of any private stakeholder, yet
the fact that the State has very large
interest IN inc X. r. q u H. H. HuSt
make those charged with guarding the
States interests consider well whether
there are good grounds for impairins
thai particular interest They should not.
however. allow the States interest to
stand as an impossible barrier TO pro-
gressire movement which will result in
a general benefit to large territory and
population of the State. which will be
much more than an equivalent to the
sacrifice This is question to be deer
mined by sound judgment. II the pro-
posed Air Line Railway can make a con-
!. motion at Washington with the %. & O.
r. r.. and SO open up a great through
line from North to South, irrespective of
the present line created by the Pennsyl-
wanna r. R.. the r.. +. & P., and the
! Coast Line. We would consider that sufi1-
ciently strong grounds had been presented
for granting d right to butd the line. For
our own part. NE have. upon insestiga-
4 ton, become sa;!xied that such 4 connec-