| From the Richmond Dispatch |
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| November 20, 1861 |
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| Richmond & York River Railroad |
| From the annual statement of
the Treasurer of the Richmond & York River Railroad Company, A. W.
Morton, Esq., it appears that during the fiscal year ending September
30th, the expenditure for transportation was
$42,110.14 and the receipts from that source were $55,142.45 --
showing an excess of receipts of $12,039.81. Adding to this a claim
against the Government for $8,000, the balance in favor of transportation
is something over $21,000. On the 1st of October there was a
nett balance of cash in hand of $6,188.89; which with the $8,000 just
mentioned, exhibits a balance of upwards of $14,000 in the company's
treasury on that day. The late President, Ro. Saunders, Esq., in his
report, alludes to the failure of the last application to the General
Assembly for pecuniary aid, and the necessity of raising the means to
pay the half-year's interest on the Company's bonds due January 1. He
shows, however, that a most cheering improvement has taken place in
the fiscal affairs of the Company. |
| The vast importance of the
work is universally acknowledged, and its destiny shines steadily,
although it has not capital enough to achieve its great ends.
Certainly no work in the Commonwealth is more deserving of legislative
aid, and we truly hope that if any appropriation is made in behalf of
internal improvements at the coming session, the York River Railroad
will be included. It may be safely asserted that no road in the State
has rendered more important and signal service in the transportation
of troops and munitions in this war for independence, thus
demonstrating beyond cavil, (as the President justly remarks,)
"its great value in one, at least, of the two conditions which
constitute the states of mankind — war and peace — whilst its
efficiency in the other admits of sparely more doubt." The road,
indeed, to an absolute necessity to the Government in the conduct of
its military operations, while in other respects, touching the
interests of a large agricultural community, it presents claims worthy
the notice of the General Assembly. |
| Among the improvements
absolutely necessary to the successful working of the road, are the
construction of another wharf at West Point, and buildings for the
protection of freight and the accommodation of passengers. An addition
to the equipments for transportation is
also required. We have given this brief statement of the affairs of
the company for the purpose of showing the importance of prompt
measures for assistance, and we hope that the subject will be duly
considered by men of influence. Those who were once the bitterest
enemies of the enterprise will not now deny the justness of the views
expressed. |
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