New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-11-18
For The Ne~-Yo,k Trioans.
Oar Rni,-ronds.-.Eo, z.
rLAS FOR PROSECUTING The RAILWAY SYSTEM
~ The STATE OF sLw-YoKK.

! FLAS FOR PROS EcUrISG The RAILWAY SYSTEM
IL The STATE OF .Lw-YoKK.
The period mas arrived when the people Of New
York must determine whether the Rail'ray Sys
tenn is to be prosecuted in the same way ihe
Canal System, by means solely Of the none!
power OF the State, or whether some other plar
shall be adopted better suited to accomplish the
object in view and more consonant to the genius ans
character of our political institutions. That Rail
ways are much better calculated than Canals to
accomplish the importan, object OF cheap, cxPe-
di,ious and uninterrupted INSTRUMENTATION al
all seasons, has now become apparent Although
sustained thus far by private enterprise, the -ys
TEN IS rapidly gaining the asccndancy. Indeed,
so much have Canals gone into disfavor, that the
TWO last which have been undertaken would not
have survived the embryo state but for the general
warmth of the hot-bed Of politics in which the
germs were planted The conviction is very general
that the Canal System, pushed it has been to
an extreme, must, so far as it regards the con-
struction Of any works, be abandoned and the
grave question arises whether in the prosecution
of the better improvement, Railways, the arm OF
the Sta-e necessary to success.
The view we have taken, in plan for prosccst-
ing Railways, has brought TO the conclusion
that whether right wrong in the abstract, the
aid of the State riil be snvoked and successfully
in supper, of Railways, and it becomes therefore
subject of importance to ascertain the safest and
most c6ectire mode By which that aid can be rem
dered.
1t Is for the purpose of contributing our mite to
cnlighten the public mind, that tie plan for
prosecuting The Rail'roy System in tie STATE Of
Ner- York is presented, and unless such plan
or one similar to tits adopted, the State must con-
linue the practice of aiding Railway Companies,
or otherwise Railroads, like Canals, must be made
State Works.
To both these methods there are serious obcc-
tons. We hold the principle to be a sound one
that individuals cannot with advantage to them
selves, or to the community, undertake the con-
struction Of Railroads, if obliged to rely on bor-
rowcd capital.
Instances may occur in which such a course
may be pursued with safety TO the stockholders,
but there are few capitalists who would embark
in an undertaking under these circumstances, and
the plan can never become sufficiently general to
effect the great object of tceN arranged system
Of internal Improvements. 1t cannot indeed be
effected successfully unless the State becomes the
creditor or endorser, and in this case it becomes
doubly Objectionable The system is liable to
great abuses, in its tending to corrupt legislation
and the too great facility it affords to the dishonest
and influential among the larger spectators of the
day TO pcryer, the funds of the State TO the pro-
motion of their private and selfish purposes.
In our xext we will notice the other alternative
making Raii'cays State rorks, and then conclude
with some general remarks on The plan proposed.
Fulton.