American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-04-15
For the American Republican,
THE CASE PLAINLY STATED

first disgorges its freight, and coners its bene-
fits, at location beyond the territorial limits of
the State of Maryland; and at the same time,
strange to relate, lnfllcts its burdens and respon-
sbties to hang like an incubus and Cypress a
people who receive no benefit from it. Efforts
are now making to deprive the great majority
OF the people OF Baltimore of their lust claim
to the benefits that should result to them, for
their sacrifices that they have made in aid of
the second work, (the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road,) by comforting the business facilities OH a
fep, to the manifest injury Of the great mum
Der, that have "borne the heat and burden of
the day"
Common sense, and every principle Of rca-
son and justice, sanction tho position and give
it the weight of an axiom, that the good of the
greatest number must be FIRST consulted, and
the minority or few be governed in all cases by
this rule Of decision.
In the case in question, it is manifest that the
possession and en- oyment Of the rights and pr-
vileges Justly claimed by the great majority of
the citizens of Baltimore, will not infict any
wrong, or impose any unjust burden on the
small minority, but leave them in the quiet pos
session OF their present condition and advanta-
ges. Therefore, it follows, as Il necessary as well
as Just conclusion, that, whereas the great
majority of the citizens of Baltimore reside and
transact their business, and their business t-,,
tiles are located on the north side OF the L,s,
or harbor OF alt!.-..1,vrc tie eieat majority Dos
soss the right to control the said har6or Of BAL
tlmore, and the Business as well as the business
facilities oil said city and harbor; because their
enterprise, eXertions and funds have produced
The things that they claim as their own proper
ty: Consequently, until the water line of the
north side of the basin and harbor of Baltimore
- Al
tent Of Its business facilities it is not only the
right, but the duty of the citizens of Baltimore
TO oppose and prevent all measures that shall
have direct tendency TO transfer to another
and distant location, the business and advan-
tages that justly belong to them having been
purchased with their funds and created BY their
! 5I2rtions.
The present conditions Ct this question, so Vi
tai 10 the interests Of the citizens of Baltimore,
appears TO have crept into being without being
seen in its true character. The public mind
has been diverted from considering the real
merits of the question at issue, TO waste the
time of action in examining objections to a DIFF
ferent course Of proceeding. An attempt has
been made, and has thus far succeeded, TO per-
suade the citizens of Baltimore, and the city
Council, Mayor and all, that it is impractcable
for old Baltimore to possess and enjoy the ad-
vantnges that have been anticipated from the
progress and completion of the Baltimore and
! Ohio Railroad. Another, and distant loca-
ton, possesses superior advantages What are
they?
First, economy. Pratt street bridge is not
strong enough and it would involve an expen-
dlture of money to remedy this difficulty. But
the fact is, that this bridge has been proved, al
most daily, by passing over It with burden car,
loaded with coal, in trains that cover aborIt the
entire length Of the bridge; so that train of
cars one mile in length could cot subject the
bridge to severer trial thar it is subjected to
daily. Query. Would it not be more consist
ent with correct views of economy, to add to
the strength of THU bridge, if necessary at
cost OF perhaps, $4,000, than to extend the
Ha!iroad to, and on the opposite side Of the
/ basin, at a cost of S200,000'
Second. There is plenty of empty space
on the opposite shore to build wharves and fur
nish coal depot. This is true; but, on the
site of the Basin where old Baltimore is To-
Gated, and a city with wharves already built,
and they to certain and sufficient extent to
accommodate the entire coal trade of the whole
Elarbor of Baltimore, are unoccupied and USE
less!
Third The locomotive engines would cause
dreadful catastfophes, should they get into
Pratt street. Well, this terrible objection has
been annihilated by the vote of our City Coun-
Gil, to limit their Ingress to the right time
Now look on this picture
The citizens of Baltimore have given almost,
if not quite, supcrogatory evidence OF their
disinterested benevulence in taxing themselves
to the very marrow of their bones, to build
Canal to accommodate and benefit the citizens
of Alexandria and Georgetown. They are
now very civiily requested to forego the ad-
vantages they may and can derive from cxpen-
ding their money to construct Railroad to the
Western waters; and it is kindly limited, that
by 50 doing they can save AZ the money that
it would cost to repair the Pratt street bridge.
Fellow citizens, if this very disinterested course
shall he pursued by you, how long will it he
before you shall be called On to "pay for hest
ing the poker?"
If the Railroad shall be made to disgorge its
| freight, ETC., on this side Of the Basin, in the
city Of Baltimore that no,o is, instead Of turn
ing away contemptuously from the city that
gaze ii BIRTH our mechanics and tradesmen, who
constitute the "bone and muscle'' of the city,
will en- Joy prosperous condition of times, and
60 ahead. But, otherwise, if the Railroad goes
in the track of the Canal to benefit good folks
at distance, when it shall be too late, ewes
will be opened, and hearts will be sad. Fortu-
nately, our worthy and discreet Mayor-to use
pithy phrase-"has begun to smell yat;''
and will return the Objectionable bill to the
City Council.
If, as the poet says,
t.lnerest is the hinge which our actions turg;,'
it is quite time that this hinge should be in mo
ton, or it will turn too late to save the citizens
of Baltimore from serious calamity.
Vox PopUu.
[The above communication was intended for
yesterdays paper, but was postponed from ne
eessity.-Editors .fm. Rep.
New YORK STATE PRIsoN. New York is
largely supplied with State Prisons. Anoth her,
| h1uannr L, Ia he hnlt in Clinton connt. 10 L.