The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-02
Communications.
FOR THE MADIsoNlAN.
CITIES-RAILROADS.

Mn EplroR | am but little versed in the science
of Political Economy-perhaps shall state the truth
with more precision by saying that have never been
properly initiated into its mysteries am yet, at all
events but in the vestibue of the temple, and waiting
for the curtain to be raised for the display in full
glare of all the revelations that may be made; and
have yet learned only what might be CLEANED by an
occasional peep through the nstersces left uncover
ed. am but novice, and may be pardoned if I'M
acq anted with all the rules of the order.
| have read some of the elementary works on this
science and have read them with interest, but have
frequently found myself puzzled with the expositons
Of their theories have read the journals of the day,
celebrated for the talent with which they are con-
Quoted, and have been as much puzzled with the
practical rules they pretend to give have read the
elaborate speeches of our most eminent statesmen,
and have been equally perpexed with the difficulty of
reconciling their principles with the dictates-l will
not be 50 presumptuous to say, of common sense
but of my perceptions,
Not long since, saw, in one of our most popular
journals that the city of Baltimore would be infinitely
benefited by having the railroads completed to
tain point quote this case, as an example. know
nothing whatever of the railroad and its interest,
read time since in one of our papers respecting
the situation of the people Of Great Britain, and
would have obtained there text equally opposite for
my comment But prefer to take example from
point nearly applUAniatcd to US, aud conse-
quently | should conceive more easily comprehend
ed | therefore select remarks made with respect to
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. 1t is said, as
have already observed, that the city Of Baltimore
would derive immense benefits from the completion
Of that road This assertion presents to serious
difficulty under any circumstances, and especially at
the present time.
BY the city of Baltimore, understand not the few,
but the many-not the paucity of the atuent but the
majority of the inhabitants. Now, ask, would the
persons comprising the large mass of the people be
made more W althy and prosperous-each industrious
individual mean--by having the road competedi
can understand that the merchant who derived, say,
one dollar profit on each Of the thousand barrels
Of -four which he sold before the road was fin
| ished, would redouble his accumulation Of wealth
il he was enabled TO sell two thousand barrels
by the increased influx Of inland trade into Bal
timore. But would the mechanic and laborer de-
rive any benefit from the multiplied chances of ag-
grandsement given to the merchants Would the
wages of the mechanic be cnhancedi Would the pit
lance of the lahorer be enlarged Those are the
questions which wish answered. If the mechanic
and the aborer are not benefited then according to my
understanding the city of Baltimore is not benefited
BY the word city whatever metaphysical definition
may be given to the term am inclined to under
stand the majority of its citizens, and if the ndivl
duals of that majority are not benefited, think the