Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
the Covington and the Central railroads — apprehended sufferings among the laborers — an interesting scene. Calahan's, Dec. 19, 1860.
There is much interest felt here as to the course of the contractors on the railroads, the coming year.
The low price of State stocks, it is feared, will compel them to suspend operations.
In that case, there are on the Central terminus, and the Covington and Ohio Railroad, some thousands of laborers, (it is supposed numbering with their families five thousand,) who will be deprived of the means of living, and a great deal of suffering will be the consequence.
The contractors are, I believe, without exception, excellent and honorable gentlemen.
They will do all in their power to continue their contracts, and have already made heavy sacrifices to do this.--I am sure they are actuated in a great degree by their sympathy for the laborers, and that they will make yet heavier sacrifices to keep them from suffering.
Should the laborers submit to a small reduction temporarily in their compensation, this may be accomplished.
I say temporarily; for I trust we are not to continue in our present condition of uncertainty, and our securities are not to remain depreciated for any long period of time.
It is to be hoped that our difficulties will be settled and the country placed upon a permanent basis in a short time.
When that is done, everything will suddenly resume its former position of order and stability, and their values be restored to property of all kinds.
The Covington and Ohio Railroad has gone forward in fine style, and the progress made confirms the statement of Mr. Fisk--that, without some suspension of operations, the work will be completed to the White Sulphur Springs by June twelve months.
The Alleghany Tunnel, near the White Sulphur, which is within a fraction of a mile long, has been cut entirely through for some time, and is now being arched.
The whole of the contracts are conducted with energy, and the work will not only be done in good time, but well done.
The central terminus will be ready as soon as the Covington is finished to the White Sulphur, and summer after next visitors to the Springs will be relieved of the dreaded staging from Jackson's River to the White Sulphur Springs.
An interesting incident happened yesterday, at the village surrounding Major Kupp's cottage, on the line of the Covington and Ohio Railroad.
The Major is a large contractor and is a generous and kind-hearted gentleman.
He gave directions that the children of the Irish laborers should be assembled, in their best bibs and tuckers, at his domicil, to receive their Christmas presents.
They punctually assembled, with clean faces and neat dresses, numbering about one hundred and fifty. Father Walters was to have been present to make them a short address, but he did not come, possibly on account of the weather.
The Major undertook the task himself, and performed it very well.
He then gave them the presents, which they received with perfect delight.--They assembled around the Major and cheered him with their tiny voices until they made the mountains ring with the echoes of their joyful exclamations.
The scene was deeply interesting, and one which the children will never forget.
How little importance the world attaches to a scene like this of kindness to children — to children of the poor laborer!
Yet such a scene has an important bearing on the fates of many of these little ones.
It tends to cultivate a proper self-respect, and suggests none but good feelings and ideas to their minds.--The Major's example is one worthy of emulation. 