Year: 1870

WHAT MR. GARRETT HAS To SAY ABOUT 1T.


In the speech of John w. Garrett, president
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, before the
Board of Directors of that road, on wednes-
day, he referred to the former difficulties at
Washington in regard to the railroad depot, the
Metropolitan Branch railroad, &c, and said:


Since the last meeting of the Board a change
mas taken place in the position Of the company
IN the city OF Washington. That change will
Justify the action this company has uniformly
desired to adopt, and enable it 70 press the
werk on the Metropolitan Branch road to
ccmpleton at the earliest practicable day.
The Board is doubtless aware that after the
protracted litigation after the gress mIsreprc-
sentations, after the daily misstatements of
portion of the press ef Washington, the Balti-
more and Ohio Company had its rights Ar irmed
IN the Supreme Court OF the District OF Colnm-
bia by the unanimous decision OF that bench
This decision affirmed fully the correct action OF
the Baltimore and Ohio road throughout, and
maintained iii rights as asserted by il regarding
both the Washington aud Metropolitan tracks
within the city OF Washington. The gentleman
recently Msyor OF Washington Is responsible Il
the citizeUs of that community for at least a
years delay in the construction Of the Metropol-
itap branch. His opposition, based upon views
so absurd, and Misrepresentation 80 gross, ap-
paTently created such feeling in IA portion OF
that community as to cause this company to de-
eide that il wculd be unwise TO make larger ex-
pendiUlres uKtil its rights were properly adiudi-
cased. Theserights have been asslred, and the
people OF Washington have DOUBTLESS seen and
appreciated the FOLLY of the opposition OF the
Mayer. His removal from Office, and the en-
phauc condemnation of his course thus indi-
Gated, will doubtless cause a restoration of mu-
tually advantageous relations between the con-
parry and the city and citizens OF Washin gtOn
Without asking dollar Of contribution from
the overburdened tax-papers or Washington,
1t will be the policy OF this company TO press
the rapid completion of this great work.
A greater calamity could net have happened
in connection with the transportation Inter
ests of Washington than the success of the
opponents OF tue Baltimore and Ohio railroad in
the recent controversy. That success would
have deprived every interest of Washington of
the economy OF one and quarter miles of loco
motive service and reversed the action and DO licy
OF every prosperous and wisely governed city in
the country, by deprivng its citizens of so great
a convenience and advantage. 1t would slso
have led to the indefinite postponement of the
completion OF the Metropolitan branch read
Such arrangements are being made that in
little more than twelve months, this road,
so important for the interests of Washington
and so desirable for the whole West, will be
opened. Its completion will effect almost magi-
cally the progress and prosperity of Washington
1t will afford the shortest and best practicable
line OF connections with thousands of miles of
railway, giving TO that city cheap freights and
most direct lines of travel. 1t will give TO it
such advantages as to cause a large portion OF
the travel from the West and Southwest TO pass
via Washington TO Philadelphia New York and
New England; and thus, whilst the ignorance
and folly OF those who misrepresented the CITY
OF Washington have for time interposed, yet
the people of that city will yet realize such
benefit from this work that they will ultimately
appreciate the determination and good faith of
this company on this subject. 1t is but just and
proper to state that many leading and judicious
Gil OF Washington, lar gely and permanently
interested in the welfare Of that city, constantly
assured us that they deemed the Opposition OF
the CITY government most unfortunate ana
wrong and that they regarded the construction
Of the Metropolitan Branch road as vital to the
prosperity of that city.