Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-04

Therefore, whether we regard the amount vi re-
venue to be derived or facilities and general advanta-
ges to the citizens to result from tie Canal or the
Rail-Road system, it will follow that Rai-toadS
must have the preference.
Tins preference will be rendered more decisive
when we reflect that Canal generally occupies
the most valuable lands AMI that II requires much
greaer quantity of land for itself, lis feeders, dams
and reservoirs-that 1t iuteriereS with the plans OF
irrigation and drainage. and deranges the hydraulic
improvements connected with the manufacturing IN
dustry OF the country, and 10 that extent, GRIPPING
us powers OF production, whether present or pros
pective,-that considerably nteTfcrcS with the free
access and intercourse to and from the lands and
nelglborhoods lying upon its opposite sides, and tenuS
To prevent the location and of roads where pubic
or private convenience might require them across the
route OF the same,-that from the combined ef1c's
OF Hoods, breaches, repairs, drought and cold the
average duration OF It's Davlgable condition. IN our
Climate, Is reduced to about half of the year
ana that the navigation is tardy when IN operation
oetnS too slow for the transit of light goods or Tor
the conveyance of passengers mails messengers,
that the Rai-ROad requires less width OF ground
aud none that may be required for feeders dams or
RESERVOIRS and will not SO frequently occupy The best
lands; 1t does not use, interfere with the streams
aud water employed which may be employed Tor
Irrigation, or for any hydraulic manufacturing pur-
poses, but the other hand, 1t adds TO their value
! and thus immensely increases The resources enu
wealth OF the country; ana turn, the business and
revenue upon the Tuad consequently thereby be
come increased-that 1t nterferes compar atvely
very small degree If at ul with free passage
1t from side to side either for the purposes of
culture, or for other intercourse, with public pr
vac roads, whether existing hereafter to BE- oca-
ted,that breaches will be rare, and their effects to
prevent the use OF the way will be temporary, that
very little inconvenience II any, viii be felt in coRSe-
queoce,--repairs in general viii not prevent free
use Of the roadwhi!st their amount wall be less for
the Midway than for tho canal shat the movement
upon the railway viii not DO impeded either by
drous h cold the only impeachment during the win
ter stasou will BE- from fall OF snow, winch 1t has
oaen demonstrated is easily removed rs scarcely
TO otKr any obstructunand cuiIseQ Ientlv that The
ra-rGid may be considered To 6c virtually passabc
throughout the whole OF the yearthat the rdpljitv
OF movement upon it, may be great as the want,
OF TRACE and intercourse demand, or prudence
admit; not only for the conveyance of persons, aud
the public mails, but OF every commodity, for which
conveyance would be suught--that since necessity
would cause railways to be preferred canals in
many PAGES and situations whatever might other
wise be opinions Of their relative value and since
Transfers and ransshpmcnts, add 10 tic expense and
rlSk,-'hcreioTe from this cause alone, the ratio oil
advantage would work favorably 20 the Rail-Ruad
system throughout For the that issues from the
4 MINES, or run ihe mandatory with its freight OF
minera! or Of wares, would then lave obstacle
TO lis travelling to the most remote depot, and at
once delivering its freight into ware house, ship
coal yard, other place, without any expense on
delay i'll the rmedia.e shipping OF the load
l. 1redgod gave his opinion IN favor OF canal i'll a
level district, but al the same time remarked that ir
nine cases out of ten, the rail road should be prefer
req. See his treatise on rail roads, 1925, chap /
Our climate is untAvorabc to canals than thai
OF i.nghnd, IN addition to which it must be remark
Ell fro tie Inventions and improvements which have
| been nIa,e since, the railroad system has double
u not treble the efficiency that it had when Tired
gold wrote [Scc also Woods treatise Oh Rail roads
| 1925, Gimp. 9
In o!eiing the foregoing remarks, it it by nc
r!canS intended to controvrrt dispute the utility
OF canals, but 10 make known in brief and surlma-
Fy manner the comparri'ce advantages Gi canals ana
rail ways, So far Concerns our country and tc
state explicitly, my preference favor of rail ways
indeed 1t is Obvious that of two states, the one a.
dopting the railroad, the other the canal system
the one which adoptsslhe railroad, would AWAY.
have derided advantage, whether as regards it:
agriculture, lis manufacture or lis commerce. in pro
portion to the great ce!eity, economy and cartnnty
which the one system aN'jFGs over the other Conse
quentiy other things berg equal would become the
most populous, wealthy. intelligent and powerful
And that whatever advantages Inay result to Eng
! land from the high speed attaiuabe on RAILWAYS
the amount o: the advantages arise from the sa me
high speed, must be greatly enhanced in country
50 extended aud so governed as the United States
Respectfully submitted.
(Signe. J. KNIGHT.
~ y