| Annual Report of the Orange &
Alexandria RR |
| as of September 30, 1863, |
| Examining Committee's Report |
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| Examining Committee's Report |
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| To the Stockholders of the Orange &
Alexandria Railroad Company |
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The Examining Committee, appointed at the last annual
meeting, beg leave to report, that they have given to all the subjects
confided to their care, as careful inspection and intelligent
consideration, as their time and opportunities allowed them. They
were, as a Committee, compelled to pretermit the examination of
the old road, from Gordonsville to Orange Courthouse, the only part
now worked by the Company; all the residue, fro the Rapidan to
Alexandria being in the possession of the enemy. But, as individuals,
a majority of the Committee can, from actual observation, report: That
that portion of the old road, now in our possession, has been worked
safely and efficiently, during the past year; and, though, in its
timbers and iron, exhibiting evidence of hard usage and great decay,
is yet, equal, with judicious management and slow travel, to
accomplish the valuable ends of its employment -- the transportation
of army supplies, which with the conveyance of troops and munitions of
war, heavily taxes its utmost capacity.
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Of that long and valuable road, of more than ninety
miles, passing through six counties of the most fertile lands of the
State; with its lateral improvements of rail and turnpike; penetrating
the Blue Ridge, and crossing into the Valley of Virginia, and making
as many more counties its auxiliaries of trade and travel, and
terminating, all of them, in the patriotic city of Alexandria -- a
city which has contributed more largely in proportion to its
resources, than any equal population of the Commonwealth -- all this
has been lost to them and us (for the time).
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| The road from Charlottesville
to Lynchburg was carefully examined -- we found it in excellent
condition -- it is new and yet unimpaired. The road, bridges and all
its equipments of depots and other appurtenances, are in the best
taste and condition. |
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The improvements at Lynchburg, not completed at our last
meeting, have been since made, adding greatly to the convenience and
accommodation of both the Company and the public.
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The Committee have examined the workshops of the Company,
established for the repairs of engines and cars, and are pleased to
observe the progress of enlargement of the facilities of executing all
the work properly belonging to such an establishment -- especially the
improvements in the quality and efficiency of the machinery, which,
with some contemplated additions, will enable us, not simply to
repair, but construct our engines and cars in our own workshops.
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The books and records of the Company were examined,
vouchers with receipts, and found, as kept heretofore, in the most
satisfactory manner. The system recently adopted and greatly improved,
appears to surround the receipts and disbursements with all possible
checks. The officers of the various departments were polite and
attentive, and gave us all necessary aid in the examination of the
records and papers.
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The gross revenue of the road for the past fiscal year
amounts to ($694,666.41( six hundred and ninety-four thousand six
hundred and sixty-six dollars and forty-one cents. The expenses for
operating the road to $263,355.89, and for constructing new work
$8,624.09, leaving a nett revenue of $392,686.43. For details, we
refer you to the accompanying documents of the President and
Directors, add the General Superintendent.
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The Committee respectfully recommend to the stockholders,
to take into consideration the propriety of suggesting to the
President and Directors, the obvious necessity of so increasing
the compensation of the employees of the Company, as to enable them to
live and work in spirit and comparative cheerfulness.
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Whilst the Committee congratulate the stockholders upon
the prosperous condition of our road, as evidenced in the large excess
of revenue over disbursements, they would respectfully suggest, that
the wisest and most judicious disposition of that excess would be a
distribution of the same in the form of dividends to the stockholders
of the Company.
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All of which, we respectfully report,
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D. F. Slaughter
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Thos. T. Hill
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Wm. E. Coleman
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Lewis B. Williams, Committee
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