Alexandria Gazette

RAIL ROAD CONNECTION.

The Clarksburg Republican, referring to the movements of the Baltimore Company in the location of the Western portion of the Road, suggests that Parkersburg can have connection with it by a little exertion. A charter, it says, might be asked for a Road to intersect the Baltimore and Ohio Road, West of the Mountains—or one for the purpose of effecting a connection with Alexandria, by a junction with the Alexandria and Harper's Ferry Road, at Harper's Ferry. The Republican asks:—Rich. Rep.

"Could not a Rail Road be carried along the Little Kanawha until it reaches its head waters, from which point there are but a few miles to the head of the South Branch, down which it might be taken, and joined to the Winchester and Potomac Rail Road, which terminates at Harper's Ferry? Or, if a Road could not be gotten from the South Branch to Winchester, it could be carried down the Potomac, where it could meet 'the Alexandria Road at Harper's Ferry. This would give a continuous Rail Road from Parkersburg to Alexandria, a Virginia city, on the Potomac river, where the harbor is one of the best in the country, having some 35 feet water in the channel, the depot of which would be in sight of the capital of the Union."

The editor, in conclusion, anticipates the objection which Wheeling might make, and answers it thus:

"The strain of 'foreign corporation,' which has been harped upon so industriously in reference to the right of way for the Baltimore company, would be unheard, and if the project be found feasible, we conceive it ought to receive the fullest consideration and attention. If our Parkersburg friends desire a connection with the Baltimore Road as an object more easily accomplished, we wish them entire success—but should Wheeling start her usual croakings about ruin to the State pet, the James river work, on that score, she could not do so as far as a connection with Alexandria were concerned. In the former case, the upper terminus would be a positive rival, while in the latter, Parkersburg, we conceive, would have the vantage position."