Virginia Free Press & Farmers' Repository

The State of Maryland has requested the Directors of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, to call a meeting of the Stock holders, to deliberate upon the propriety of granting permission to the Rail Road Company to extend their road along side of the Canal, from the Point of Rocks to Harpers-Ferry.

To those persons who are honestly under the belief that canals are better than rail roads, the proposed measure cannot be objectionable, because it is not proposed to check the Canal, but only to present to their choice of use two communications instead of one only. To the county of Jefferson it is very important, because it will connect with and insure the construction of the contemplated road from Harpers-Ferry to Winchester; and because, if the Rail Road should be extended to Cumberland, it will pass along the entire northern boundary of the county. We think it important that this measure should carry, because the expense and hazard of crossing the river at the Point of Rocks, together with the great difficulties between that place and Harpers-Ferry on the Virginia shore, are obstacles of such magnitude as almost to render hopeless the occupation of that avenue of approach to the Ferry. Much then depends upon the decision of the meeting on the 28th of April.

We hope all stockholders in the Canal Company, friendly to this compromise, will, either in person or by proxy, be sure to represent their stock in the meeting of the 28th.