American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1825-08-30
i Extract from communication IN the U. ?. Ia-
| zette, on the subject Of RAILWAYS.

we must not calculate on a further extension oil
,br Canal system in Pennsylvania. Railways will
undoubtedly supersede it, and at no very distant pc
riod. This is now taking place IN Great brna'n'
md it must inevitably occur in this country. hose
interested in Canals in that country are continually
endeavoring to mslead the public mind, by misre-
presentations in the journals; but not one inds'du
al Of scepce-not one disinteresed engineer OF any
eminence, can be discovered il that Kingdom VINO
does not give decided preference to railways over
Canals. as a general medium OF commuhieaton
Mr.. Iuskisson, of the British Cabinet, whose pro
found sagacty is well known, has explicitly stated
not only that Railcays riH be constructed IN pre-
ference to Canais but that in 25 gears from fhis
time, not Canal nov in England wiH be in ea'
istencc. This is undoubtedly strong language from
minister whose opinion thus declared will ineva-
bly, rouse the fercest opposition to him, from that
powerful body OF citizens-the Canal proprielors OF
Great Britain To suppose that our state VIII aaop
an exploded system, that she Will CONSTRUCT eshais
in preference to Railways, is to suppose that she
will retrograde in intelligence. That she VIII aoopt
the best method cannot be doubted, and mat methoo
| is The Railway system, system oy whicn Inc exc
cutou Of the works can be accomplished at one
third of the expense and in one third OF the time
required for capals-works which can be construct
ed in every situation OF which the expense can oe
calculated with mathematical accuracy prior 10 thcr
commencement works which can DC useo AZ az
seasons and on which the snow and ice oil winter,
and the drought OF summer form no obstacles 70
transportation--on which, when completed, goods
NAV be conveyed with any desired speed, at the most
,rlipc expense, and with the utmost Certainty ahu
ssietv-woiks on v hich the greater velocity IN tran
sportnr goods can be effected at less expense than
~ slower velocty---wotks by which time and
snace are diminished and by whose assistance we
may dine one day IN Phiiadeipha, and the next ~
/ Pittsburgh.
With all these ttanscendenl advantages. the rail
| way svsem must ard will ptesall-even u few.
aho slay siyle themselves englnetrs, may deem II
expedie IT II oppose IL. Ihe calculating, teheeuns
citizens Of Pennsylvania cannot easily oe persusoeu
that "leather is the best iorii.ic tuon Tor town
striking change has been elected in the public
sentiment III this subject. Six months ago TO ad
yocale RAILWAYS was considered visionary by many
even OF intelligent citizens, out at present The
aspect OF Affairs is totally changed. Many men OF
talents and science have embrao ed the cause ot rail
ways. The press teens with e.says 10 their favor
The doctrines Of reformation have many able advo'
Gates. and althoueh many men Of 'aent may yet be
found in this common wealth who, from want OF in
formation on this particular suolec!--or from pre-
iludice-or rom reluctance 10 abandon the old hob
by On which they have ridden into notice, may still
EEL partality or veperson tor canals, they
must submit TO the progress OF science, or sink into
linsienhc.nce. |, may be asserted with confidence.
hat person who has thoroughly investigated this
subject en,e ain doubt, that although IN some
lfau situations canals may ae herefcial that IN gen
iera they must yield to always in utility.
Paragraphs from /" Facts and .frsgmcnts in .faror
Of RlILH.fIS." Sc.-Fourth edifion--Phila
deipaia.
The expense Of constructing turnpike in pro-
ed per mile on canal. The best turnplkes in
America have COS, from 9 to 10000 dollars per
nile. The average cos OF the Lancaster and Phil.
adelphia turnpike, was 9 600 per me--the Ger
mantown turnpike cost 1000 dollars per mile.
Par Of the National or Cumberland road cost 1900
and part Of The Lancaster turnpike near Philadrl
ph'a, ! 0d0 dollars per mile
) Near L1ndoni upwa ds q 0n0 dollars per mile
annually requi ed to preserve the great roads il
i renair
i The average cost Of canals FOR boats Of 25 or 81
: tons scien'' ,av constructed may be estimated q
I IL % s. 00o dollars per mie
! L,rd Guilfotd, il IL year l676 mentions he frs
! Isralel raw Of whicn any description is on re
I cnrd !, was composed enti sIy Of wood ,imbers
I II 1866 the first rail, Of ea., iron were made Co
lionel Sergeant Of Boston invented the plan OF sin
sle rail RAGS ~hl, constructed for less thai
two thirds Of the expense OF ommon railways. Ii
.. 1870 he tlAt raj was supe rseded by iron bar
In 1898, steam engines b gan to be used to draw
!. train Of loaded wagons An engoe weighing ton
AID horse will draw is tons OF goods at III
rate Of miles per hour.
Mr.. Stevens of New Jersey has constructed
granite railway al an expense Of about 200 dollar
per mile
Railways have decided superiority over canal
j in expense, expedition, safety AID certainty.
Z Twenty FIVE million dollars have been eypende
y in P.nn,yivania internal improvements two
h. thirds Of this has been spent in improving ou
nd inland navigation, roads, bridges, SC This doe
n. not include the charity and educafion EXPENSE
The sum annually expended in Philadelphia