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Letter to Editor
August 2, 1871
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A letter criticizes the deteriorating Alexandria and Washington city road, suspecting unauthorized railroad construction by the Pennsylvania Central railroad on the turnpike. It urges the community to protect the road from corporate encroachment to preserve direct communication and potential unity between the cities.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
COMMUNICATED.
The Alexandria and Washington city road is now in a sad state; it is almost impossible to get along. It would appear as if the track of another railroad is being made, or something very like one, yet the turnpike company would lead us to believe that such is not the case, while the officials of the Pennsylvania Central railroad are employed on the work. What can it mean? Is the only direct communication between Alexandria and Washington to be made more dangerous—the only pleasant road in the district? If more railroads are wanted, by all means let us have them, for we have plenty of land suitable for railroads; but why destroy the turnpikes? Besides, the turnpike company have no power to sell or transfer it for any other purpose than a turnpike road, and will our community be bamboozled by railroads or other companies? Surely not. Are we to be shut out from a pleasant drive, which in time may be the means of uniting Washington and Alexandria, and permit railways and other corporations to injure us? If we do, we shall have many years leisure for regret. When will Alexandria city learn to know the many advantages its position possesses? Perhaps when it has lost them!
The Alexandria and Washington city road is now in a sad state; it is almost impossible to get along. It would appear as if the track of another railroad is being made, or something very like one, yet the turnpike company would lead us to believe that such is not the case, while the officials of the Pennsylvania Central railroad are employed on the work. What can it mean? Is the only direct communication between Alexandria and Washington to be made more dangerous—the only pleasant road in the district? If more railroads are wanted, by all means let us have them, for we have plenty of land suitable for railroads; but why destroy the turnpikes? Besides, the turnpike company have no power to sell or transfer it for any other purpose than a turnpike road, and will our community be bamboozled by railroads or other companies? Surely not. Are we to be shut out from a pleasant drive, which in time may be the means of uniting Washington and Alexandria, and permit railways and other corporations to injure us? If we do, we shall have many years leisure for regret. When will Alexandria city learn to know the many advantages its position possesses? Perhaps when it has lost them!
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Infrastructure
Politics
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Alexandria Washington Road
Turnpike Damage
Railroad Construction
Pennsylvania Central Railroad
Corporate Encroachment
Community Protection
Letter to Editor Details
Main Argument
the letter protests the damage to the alexandria-washington turnpike road from apparent unauthorized railroad work by the pennsylvania central railroad and calls on the community to prevent its destruction to maintain safe and pleasant travel and future unity between the cities.
Notable Details
Suspected Railroad Track Construction On Turnpike
Involvement Of Pennsylvania Central Railroad Officials
Turnpike Company Denies Railroad Plans
Warning Against Corporate Bamboozlement
Potential For Uniting Washington And Alexandria