| From the Daily Express (Petersburg, Va.) |
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| May 8, 1862 |
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| The Governor's Message |
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Executive Department |
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May 5, 1862 |
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Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Delegates: |
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The Railways -- Express Freights |
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Our railways and their machinery are subjects for serious
consideration. We have neither the material for the reconstruction
of the roads, no the mechanical skill for the reconstruction of the
machinery, nor can we procure them from abroad under existing
circumstances. These questions, therefore, address themselves with
unusual force to the consideration of the General Assembly. |
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I recommend that the speed of railway travel shall be
regulated by law, as the only means of preserving our improvements
from absolute and early destruction. High rates of speed tend
greatly to accelerate the wear and tear of both the roadway and
machinery. Passenger trains now pass at the speed of about sixteen
miles per hour, and freight trains at a speed of about twelve miles
per hour. This speed should be reduced to ten miles per hour for
passenger trains and eight miles per hour for freight trains, unless
in cases of great public necessity. Such an arrangement would
prolong the existence of both roads and machinery. |
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I am informed by gentlemen of experience and observation,
who have given great attention to the subject, that the life of an
English or Welsh rail cannot be safely esteemed at more than twelve
years; three-fourths of the rails in Virginia have been laid down at
least 8 years, and that nineteen-twentieths of them are of English
or Welsh production, made for sale, and received without inspection
as to quality. Such is the present evidence of wear in the rails,
that it may be safely affirmed, that if iron could be imported,
every railroad company would be purchasers to the full extent of
their ability to pay, and many would attempt to negotiate on time,
such is the pressing necessity for new rails to repair the
dilapidated sections of the roadways. The weight of trains should be
diminished, and all freight with the passenger trains should be
prohibited. Immense quantities of freight are now transported at the
speed of passenger travel, under the name of "express freight," to
the great injury of the railways, and to the benefit of no one
except the stockholders of the express company. |
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I recommend, therefore, that these suggestions be reduced
to laws, so that all rail roads may be placed upon the same footing.
The necessity of legislation is apparent, as we must have uniform
laws with regard to speed on our roads, and uniform laws in regard
to express freight, to avoid complaint against the roads that may be
willing to adopt the arrangement. |
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Our rail roads gone, we shall be seriously embarrassed;
and I therefore call the attention of the General Assembly to the
subject, as one worthy of the most serious consideration and prompt
and decided action. |
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