| From the Richmond Sentinel |
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| March 23, 1863 |
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| There are two subjects which
have engaged the solicitude and the efforts of our authorities, but
which require their untiring and unflagging attention. The first is
the best possible management of our railroads. The interests of the
Government and of the citizens are both involved in securing the
greatest possible amount of transportation out of the means applicable
to it. A master mind should systematize and direct our railroad
operations. Care should never accumulate in idleness at one place, or
run half laden, while freight is accumulating for want of them at
another. And not only should this be the rule so far as affects
Government transportation -- it should include the ordinary commerce
of the country. |
| There is no doubt of the fact
that nearly all the inconvenience and the high prices which we suffer,
are due to the difficulty of moving articles from the places where
they are in excess to the points of consumption. It may not be
possible to accomplish all that would be desirable considering the
enormity of the demand upon the railroads, but it ought to be the
constant effort to effect as much as possible. To secure this, the
very best genius and energy of the country should be employed in the
transportation service; minds rapid and exact in combining, and
tireless in executing. The enormous amounts carried over the single
track railroad from Baltimore to Washington, show what may be done on
such a road under good management. The proper repairs of the roads,
and adding to or replacing the rolling stock when necessary, are
included in a proper attention to our transportation. |
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