The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-09-11
AN OFFICER OF THE NAVY.
For the Union
RAILROADS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

The first railway intended for public use in the
kingdom was completed in 1925. It's length was
less than 90 miles; and, although its object was to
connect the coa-felds of Wesmoreland with the
German ocean--by which, as was apparent, large
commerce in their products would result--yet such
was the want of confidence in the project that was
considered by prudent men as an experiment far in
advance of the age, as wild and altogether usory.
1t was, however, soon ascerained that for the pur.
pose of transportation, the expectations of its friends
would be fully realized. Other companies were
sanctioned by Parliament from time to time; and on
the l7th Of September, 1880, between Liverpool and
Manchester, the locomotive was successfully intro
duced, as substitute for the horse, to draw the
train Of cars since when, it is perfectly marvellous
to behold the rapdity with which lines have been
laid down, in despite Of all opposing obstacles. Sew
enteen hundred and fifty miles have been completed
at something like an average cost of Sl25, 900 per
mile.
During the recent session of Parliament, railroads
were authorized TO be constructed to the extent of
1851 miles; and they will be speedily executed, if
there no drain of the precious metals to the con-
tinent, by which pressure in the money market
will be occasoned This will not occur, unless
there is failure in the harvest-an event very much
to be feared at the latest dates from Europe. Par
lament sanctioned only portion of the applications
for lines, yet il is estimated that no less sum than
f44 1913 235-neary $500, 900 000-will be required
| to establish such as have been authorized 1t is
believed that the iron in the kingdom will be incon,-
petent to provide the rails as rapidly as they will be
required-particuary there is such an extraordi-
nary demand for machinery of every description. II
is stated that every hundred miles Of railroad with
draws from cultivation 5000 acres of land; and,
consequently, when the recently sanctioned lines are
finished, the agricultural strength of Great Britain
will have been diminished, since 1926, upwards OF
100000 acres.
| The railroad system of Great Britain had ass,l-
redly contributed to her pecuniary prosperity, and
| har etnrttNy Mt hnp harf To-
tain her superiority manufacturing nation, and
to repel an enemy in the event of an nvoson; but
it will be MEANS in the end, of making her one of
the weakest powers the globe, if she is driven to
the necessity Of prosecuting an offensive war; Il is
natural to suppose that her subjects under any cir
cumstances, would fight for the soil which gave
them birth; but the manufacturing interest will rot
consent TO be plunged into that would endan-
| ger the extension of its products. IL has become
too potent to be longer ruled by the landed proprie-
tary In less than score of years. the destinies of
England will be in the hands Of the manufacturers;
and of this fact the arisocracy are perfectly
Sir Robert Peel distinctly foresees that no earthly
power can prevent the abrogation of the infamous
corn-laws; and, with the eye of mighty states
man, he is gradually preparing to meet public opin-
ion, rather than he pursued by II into retreat The
income-tax has already been fastened by him on the
country, the first great step towards an abolition,
| or modification of mposts on articles Of import.
The policy Of Great Britain at the expiration Of the
three years experiment Of the income-tax will be
entirely changed. The manufacturers will upset il,
if they continue to multiply as rapidly as they have
done since the settlement Of peace with China. The
operatives will require of them bread at io,o prices,
however severely their property may he taxed; and
they can dictate TO their employers without the fear
of dismissal, as long labor continues SO much in
demand England is to remain, or rather to become,
| essentially manufacturing state; while its fields
TO be cut up, under the influence Of that interest
by railroads, into garden-spots. The growing Of
corn as staple always hazardous on account of
the instability Of the weather) will ultimately be
abandoned. Supplies must be obtained elsewhere;
and, although that shipped from the Baltic can be
laid down at Hull and London at lower figures than
our product, yet, under iudicious commercial ar
rangefnent il will be possible for us to monopoze