The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-03
mis- Ell LA NEO US.
t o. From the Albany Argus.
CANALS AND RAILWAYS IN THE MID
DIE AND WESTERN STATES-THElR

DIE AND WESTERN STATES-THElR
INFLUENCE. z.sssssneass =
In the State Of New York. the waters moving.
The feeling is steadily increasing in behalf OF rail-
ways. This food will soon force its way. The
Erie and the New York and Albany railways are
the main enterprises that occupy public attention.
To the former 81 500 900 Of stock has been recent
ly subscribed, and proposals have been issued for
the grading Of portion of the route between Mid
detown, in Orange county, its present terminus, and
Port Jervis on the Delaware river.
Under the very favorable act Of the last legisla-
ture in favor Of the Erie railroad books of subscrip-
ton are now opened in New York; and although
thus far the progress in subscriptions has not been
great, it is reasonable to expect vigorous prosecu-
ton Of the work.
The Harlem railroad which will be the New
York and Albany, is now in operation as far as
White Plains, twenty-seven miles from New York.
The legislature at the late session authorized the
Harlem to extend their road to Albany. II will re-
qure only $4,000, 900 to complete the chain in
nection with the Stockbridge road, and this amount
we have reason to suppose will be raised. 1t will
probably be under vigorous progress this season,
and hope to record its opening by the winter of
1S47
The Erie and the New York and Albany are
very important railroads, not only to State, but
to the people Of the States; and have now
the prospect that capitalists Of the city of New York
will be so fully aroused that there will be no more
delay in their completion. ak $3.50.
3 The Saratoga and Washington railway, which
may be regarded as the extension of our railway
system towards Canada, may be carried through in
two or three years. Its leading Importance is ac-
knowleged, particularly since Boston is making
vigorous effort to tap the trade of northern New
York by the completion of the Vermont railway to
Burlington. The Washington railroad would, in
that event, be necessary to enable New York to
compete with Boston. The Troy and Greenbush
road is completed, and will soon be in operation.
The Albany and Goshen, afording one of the best
routes to New York, the Syracuse and Oswego the
Aca and Hornellsville, and the great northern rail-
way between Lake Champlain and the ST. Law
renee, are on lines Of leading importance, and we
have the hope that the capital of our State viii
take that direction.
In our sister commonwealth Of Pennsylvania, we
observe that the completion of the Erie Extension
canal in December last hailed as the fulflment of
long cherished object of uniting the waters of Lake
Erie with the Ohio river near Pittsburgh. This
work is l25 miles in length, with feet Of water in
depth, and 40 feet in width. The locks will pass
boats 30 feet in length by l6 in width Three years
since, when Pennsylvania broke down, this work
was not completed On certain terms, private capi-
tasts were authorized to go and complete it, hav
ing prior lien on the canal and all Responsiveness
This has been done by an expenditure of $500, 900,
and one of the most valuable works in Pennsylva-
MAS whole chain is thus brought into useful ope-
ration without dollar from the State treasury.
The late report of the Pennsylvania canal board al
ludes to the completion Of this canal with some
alarm, fearing if the tolls low, that it will be
mere tender to our Erie canal and thus divert nearly
the whole trade of western Pennsylvania from Phila-
delphia to New York.
In Ohio, the canal system is nearly complete.
The Erie Extension, 80 miles in length, which
opens route from Cincinnati to Toledo, will be fin
ished in July. BY sagacious men this is considered
the grand canal of Ohio, as it will divert the vast
and Increasing trade of Cincinnati from New Or
leans to New York.
he IN Tho
Mad River and Lake Erie railroad, extending from
Sandusky city to Springfield, in Clark county,
where it is interseced by the National Cumberland
road, and the Little Miami railway from Cincin-
matt to Springfield. The length of the former is 30
miles, ofthe latter, SO miles-making in the aggre-
gate 900 miles of railway At the present time, so
mies-40 at the Sandusky, and 40 at the Cincin-
natl ermnation are in operation. 81 ,200, 600 have
already been expended. Its completion is now con-
sidered certain. A loan Of 100000 has recently
been obtained in Boston, which insures the opening
Of the whole line-by the spring Of 1876. The por-
tons now complete pay dividend of per cent.
This is considered certain criterion, that apart
from its great advantages in approaching the real
estate of the counties through which il passes, it
must also pay high rate of interest. Its compile
ton will assuredly divert great portion of the Ohio
river travel, which now goes by way of Wheeling
and Pittsburgh, to the pleasaner route of Buffalo
and Albany. The railways Of New York will UNI
questionable receive like advantage from the COM
pletion Of the Mad River and Cincinnati railroad,
as our Erie canal did from the completion of the
Ohio canal, which adds annually at least $500 600
to the tolls Of this State.
The Cleveland people are all astir to tap the Gin
cinnati railway at Mansfield. That place is 80 miles
from Cleveland. A charter has been obtained with
capital Of 81 100000 Its to pass through Woos
ter. Subscriptions are being solicited along the
route. From the enthusiasm evinced, and from the
enterprising character Of Northern Ohio, we may
reasonably anticipate an immediate progress in this
work. The stock has been recently taken in the
Columbus and Zenia railway. This will connect
Columbus with Cincinnati.
The Michigan Central railway is now in opera
ton as far as Marshall, ITO miles from Derot--al-
ready yielding 8 per cent. on the investment. 1t
will be extended to Kalamazoo, LAG miles from De-
trot, by September or October The grading and
bridging is already done. Its extension (54 mes)
to ST. Joseph's, on Lake Michigan will be carried
through before the lapse Of many years. 1t is
work of such acknowledged ,ortance, and at the
same time so good an invesl 4 Of capital that the
stock would be probably be aiken in New York or
Boston, should private company be allowed to con-
struct il.
The Southern railway is now in operation, from
Monroe, on the River Raisin, to Hisdale, a dis
lance Of 68 miles. branch to Tecumseh is now
almost ready for travel. II is supposed that the
Southern road will ultimately intersect the Central
Marshall or Kalamazoo.
In Indiana the Madison and Indianapolis rail-
way has so miles in operation II is to be so miles
in length, extending from the capital of the State to
the Ohio river. 1t was originally State work, but
the Legislature surrendered it to company for com
pletion Under this charter il is gradually extend
ing. The new company are compelled to finish
twenty miles additional the ensuing year, and the
remainder during the year 1886 This is the pioneer
railroad in Indiana, and, like all enterprises of that
cast, hampered with unusual difficulties and embar
easements.
The last Congress made most liberal grant to
Indiana of 100000 acres of land, for the purpose of
completing the Erie and Wabash canal from Tere-
haute, on the Wabash, to Evansville, on the Ohio
river Under this donation, it is supposed that this
great work will be carried through, making it, when
complete, 400 miles in length, and traversing
gion scarcely less fertile than the valley Of the Nile.
In Missouri, Wisconsin, or Iowa, no canal or rail-
way is now progressing; but the spirit growing up
steadily, and il will find vent as soon as business
and capital will justify works Of ntercommunica-
ton.