Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1831-06-16
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MARTINsBURG. Jusr 1881.


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The election Of a clerk for the county court
If Berkeley, under the new constitution, took
nIacs an Monday last. There were three can
S;d.tes. Messrs Harrison Waite, John Stro-
ther and Seamans Garard. Mr. Waite was
eIscted on the first trial, clerk of the county
court of Berkeley, for seven years from the
1st Of July next.
We learn that the Postmaster General has
directed that the mail from Boonsborough,
Md. to Winchester uia this place, shall after
the list of July next, be carried in four horse
Post Coaches, three times week during the
whole year.
In the. criminal circuit court Of Henrico
county. on the 10th inst James W. MAR
shall, charged with maliciously and uniaw.
fully shooting Mr. Gait, was pronounced NOT
guilty by the verdict OF jury. The shooting
occurred last winter, as our readers will re-
member, in open day, in the streets OF Rich
nond.
RAIL ROADS AND CANALS. No. III
Mr.. EpiroR:-Having endeavored to re-
move some of the probable obstacles to Affair
examination of the interesting subject, of
which we are anxious, that correct views
should be taken, we proceed to state some
facts and reasons, why we conclude that Ca
/ mails as long interiour channels of conveyance
\ for the mineral and agricultural products Of
country, are cheaper IN their construction,
and better suited to the pursuits, purposes and
habits than of an agricultural community than
Rail Roads; and that these latter improvements
TO be made to a great length and to q degree Of
~. o., a.
Of a populotu and productive region, are be-
yond the ability Of this part Of our country.
These are the main topics, to which wish
to draw the attention of yeur readers.
When the State of Pennsylvania deter
mined some years ago, to commences re-
gular system of internal improvement by the
State, the question of superiority Of Canals
or Rail Roads was very earnestly considered.
Persons of knowledge and judgment were
sent to Great Britain to ascertain, with ac-
coraey, the real state of facts on this subject.
Matthew Carey, Esq. of Philadelphia, SO
well known for his interchangeable and accurate
research and extraordinary collection of facts,
published pamphlet with view to aid the
authorities of Pennsylvania to decide with
full light on the question SO deeply important
to the State. Through the aid of the gentle
men sent abroad by the State and OF an ex
tensive examination in the United States, he
ascertained every fact in relation to all the
Canals and Rail Roads then making and in
operation in both countries. Upon the most
mature consideration Of the subject, the Leg
islature of Pennsylvania decided upon the
construction of Canals wherever they were
practicable The conclusion to which Mr..
Carey came the investigated the subject free
from all bias for the subject was new and
one of inquiry on the part of the State and
monied capitalists) was, that under the most
Favorable circumstances, Rail Road of two
tracts, which alone weuld be of equal capa-
city to an ordinary and useful Canal, has no
where been made for less on an average per
mile, than t,centy thousand dollars. The con
clusion as to Canals, was an average cost
considerably less than that sum. We are a
ware, that it is said, that experience in the
art Of constructing Rail Roads, has much
lesssned the cost Of construction. We have
not been able to ascertain lie real extent oil
this reduction. of the former cost of Rail
Roads, which we often hear SO confidently
asserted We have not been able TO arrive
at any satisfactory conclusion on this point
from the publications of the Baltimore Raj
Road Company That some reduction from
greater practical experience in making Raj
Roads has been effected, we should think
altogether probable; but we are by no means
convinced, that this reduction either has
made, or will make any material differences
in the general state of facts. II should, how
ever, be remembered, that there is no as
signahle reason, why the same result shoule
not happen in the case Of Canals-and thus
the general result on the subject wsuld still
maintain the original relations Of the question
viz: the greater cheapness of Canals.
1t is asserted, then, on the strength of al
the facts of the present time, that the con
clusion to which Matthew Carey came (Which
has been just stated is sustained.
The Rail Road of the present time, jas
finished, to which we are constantly referred
as the very perfection Of this sort of improve
ment, shews results, that make it astonlsh
ing. that the advocates OF Rail Roads shoule
point to it, for confirmation of their thee
RES and hopes. That Road is the Liverpool
and Manchester Rail Road-The Board o
Directors Of this work have made report
which has recently reached this country; ant
strange to say, the papers of Baltimore hav'
republished.it, in tones of triumph and ad
mration. To be sure, the speed at which
an enormous steam locomotive Engine ba
By ,eay Of experiment, made some trips, i
really wonderful, but still, as it has been jo
cosely, yet truly said, has not beaten tn
"Flying Childers." But here is the real er,