Lynchburg Virginian

FOR THE VIRGINIAN.

RAILROAD FROM LYNCHBURG TO NEW RIVER.

This great improvement would be one hundred miles long; its cost would be $1,250,000. It would cross the ridge, dividing the eastern and western waters, a little south of Christiansburg. Gradients of 60 feet rise and fall to the mile, would here be encountered. (This is the back bone, i.e. Alleghany Mountain.)

The road would pass through a country affording a large amount of local business, independent of the through travel and trade, which would be immense. It would form the main stem of two branches, one running down the Great Kanawha, thence towards Guyandotte; the other would lead up New River, in a south western direction towards Evingham, thence to Mount Airy, on the waters of the Tennessee River, which it would follow down towards Abingdon. The whole route would pass through the most interesting part of Virginia.

The main stem is the first object to be accomplished and branches will grow out from it. Lynchburg should subscribe to its work liberally. It is thought $500,000 can be raised in the counties of Bedford, Botetourt and Montgomery, if a like sum be subscribed in Lynchburg. The State will give her two fifths, and thus you have nearly the required sum. The Banks in Lynchburg should take a large interest in this scheme, for their business and circulation will be extended probably half a million.

All experience in Rail Road schemes goes to prove that such a line as this must pay at least 6 per cent on the capital. The Georgia Rail Roads, which penetrate east Tennessee, pay 6 per cent and upwards, and they pass through a country almost a barren waste compared with this. If such a line as this will not pay a revenue of 6 per cent on the cost of construction, then no Rail Road in America can pay it. But all the Rail Roads in America pay 6 per cent and more—ergo this stock must pay. If it does not, it will be because it will be badly managed.

There is something in the management, and if this scheme can be properly managed right and with economy, it can be not only put in operation and carried out with success and profit to the projectors, but made to reflect value and benefit all round. To the Farmer, Planter, Manufacturer, Merchant, Mechanic, property owner, in short, every citizen of Virginia, in this section of the State must feel directly or indirectly benefited by this great and grand undertaking.

W.