Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-11-16


worked, with all the disadvantages arising from
the location. Blu, TO proceed. The next point
10 which we would call attention, is the coal
region This il is which would ensure imme-
date, permanent, full and profitable employ
menl to the road. The proposed route strikes
the very heart of the Pennsylvania coal re-
gion, both as 10 quality and quantity; and II IS
the universal lesilmony.o OF those fully acqualnt-
cd with the entire coal formation, that there Is
no place where the mining could be so eco
nomicaily done al this point. And with
easy and favorable railroad transportation for
only 1870 miles 10 The Hudson River there can
be no doubt as 10 the feasibility of the project.
The lighter freigh,s, produce, lumber. &c. and
passengers, would naturally find their egress
by this route, and the merchandise for the sup
ply of this immense territory would be received
by the return trains. In addition To this, we
deem The following facts worthy of attention.:
Geological investigation has demonstrated
the following truths: That The coal basin, in
all its ramiicaiions. comprises circumference
of 100 miles, and is almost invariably accom-
panied, al the cropping point, with inexhausli-
bic beds OF iron ore; while, IN north and north
western Pennsylvania, no limestone has as
yet been discovered, the country near the Del
aware possessing valuable beds of limestone,
seems as though nature invited The connection.
This was particularly forced upon onr alien
ton al Harrison, on the Roaring Brook where
is now established an extensive furnance for
smelling ore, 10 be connected with an iron roll
ling mill now erecting Within six feet of the
surface is found the White Ash Anthracite coal
strata, S feet deep, and which costs, delivered
at the furnace, but 40 cents per ton. Within
three miles Of The furnace is procured, at the
cost Of mining and transportation, any quantity
of the very best iron ore. In smelling, 10 eve
ry two tons Of iron ore. one ton of limestone is
required, as a hux. The limestone, in this
case, Is transported over 60 miles by canal and
wagons. The largest iron rolling mlllj said TO
be, in the world, is situate cne mile south of
WiIkesbarre-co in one entire building,
hve-elghts OF an acre-and is, OF course, SINH
larly situated. In ali these instances, the lime.
stone costs more than the iron ore and coal.
These iron manufacturing companies are now
preparing 10 furnish railroad iron, and but for
the difficulty in the matter of procuring lime
slone, would be able at this day to furnish the
article cheaper than IL can he obtained in any
foreign country and with the facilities which
our proposed road would give, they would be
able 10 compete successfully with the foreign
arIcle. The only outlet 10 The immense re-
sources of this highly favored region. is by the
North Branch Canal, which empues into the
Chesapeake TO Havre de Grace, after threading
its way among The mountains for $50 miles, and
al an expense of from SO TO So per Ton,
amounting almost to total prohibition.
Thus much for the resources Of this region,
and which are deemed proper basin upon
which TO calculate The business of the proposed
road. In addition to which your Committee
believe thai, were the remaining so miles of
the road built from the Wyoming to Binghamp-
ton, this, in connection with the New York and I
Erie Railroad west from Binghampton, would
form the great ihoroughiare from Lake Erie 10
New York Clty. For our reasons for such
belief, we refer you 10 The following facts, as
shown IN report of the Committee of the /
New York aud Erie Railroad Convention held !
at Owego, 1912: The I'd and Sd divisions of
said road, reaching from Goshen 10 Binghamp-
ION, distance Of l56 miles, were calculated,
TO finish IL, TO cost S3.S73, 900, on some parts
of which route the grade is Sc feet per mile |
while on the favorie route by the Great Bend,
IN Pennsylvania, The maximum grade is 20 feet
to The mile against the trade. From the same
report, we find that the whole distance by the
New York and Erie Railroad, from the Hudson
river to Bln9hampton. is 203 miles, while by
our route, as surveyed, we reach Binghampton
In l73 miles, with maximum grade against
the trade Of 4 feet to the mile, aud lha. but in
one instance.
Your Committee feel constrained once more
10 call your attention TO the great subject of The
coal trade, as that, after all, is the toupda,ion
upon which our most sanguine hopes and ex-
peciaIens are founded. Thar iudefatiqable and
perssvering body of men. The Hudson and Del
aware Canal Company, are new unable 10 sup
ply the demand for coal as FAST as required
/ hey contemplate, before this seasoa shall
close, TO deliver at tide water the enormous
amount OF 100000 tons, at So so per ton =
Their line from CarJondale is l26 miles, with
elghI stationary engines. The coal costs them,
at Hones9ale, 81 20, and the transportation by
canal Is s 05 making the. cost at Rondout
81 25 thus realizing u gross profit of S24O,- |