The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-05-26

with gradients above any on the Other route. Mr.
c. remarks that the two planes composing the eight
miles, 1874 rods orthe highest grade may be avoided
in both cases obtaining cheaper route and reducing
the grade to about 60 feet in the mile. But il Is diff
Gcut to SEQ why having asceriained that these OBJ
sctionabe devations could be avoided, that the lat
ter line was moi Incorporated into the survey Posi-
bly, the employers of Mr. C. could not afford him suf-
fcient time TO test the accuracy Of his conjectures-
On Wells route fluid but gradient exceeding
so feet to the mile aud thu, one is only sixty feet and
in length 1863 rods lie hus no curves Of less radi-
us than 6, 600 feet. MIR c. gives no account Of his.
"The provisional committee Of the ST. Lawrence
and Atlantic, Junction Railway" estimate the trade
on the Sherhrooke route to be equal TO tho produc.
ton of $2IS $40 toll annually and the expense Of
working the road at SIO2 ,sOs, leaving a surplus for
profits of $ll6,Oi2, which they say will pay per
cent on the capital invested. This is without any
calculation upon the increase of business, which the
contraction Of the road is expected to occasion.
Apply ing this calculation to the shorter route, we
have the following results, supposing passenger,
freight mail transportation and toll TO be the same.-
OF this no could compuin as the same amount
Of accommodation would be afforded and about ono
third of the time saved
The annual expenses Of working the road would
he 1872 ,ol3 the toll S2Is 500 and the surplus I45-
ST. per cent. the entire cost Of the road ,en
gines, cars, depos, SC. But lessen this surplus by
a reduction of toll to the per mile proposed
the Sherbrooke route and the consequences would
follow, that the stock holders would have their
per cent Immediately on getting their engines in OPP
Grafton and the public would have all the benefits
which the Sherbrooke route could afford, with an
annual saving OF $43,o 69 and half the expense Of
ferTiHge across the river TO Montreal.
The result Of this very imperfect comparison shows
that the outlet line has claims TO preference over
the other. l. From tho fact that it is nearly third
shorter.
2. That tho tota! expense Of its construction will
fall short Of that Of the other nearly S65O,Ooo and
probably full one third.
3. The annual cost of using it though accomplish
ing the same work, would r, about one third short
Of that Of the other.
4. An annual saving of $4,000 would accure to
the stockholders, or TO the public.
5. Twenty eight and half miles Of gradients
exceeding sixty feet TO the mile would be avoided.
g. The whole of the outlet line is comparatively
level except 81 miles while the other is hiy from
Derby Limo to the west line Of Rox,on. 7s4 miles,
here are six and fourth miles Of gradients Of 522
feet to a mile.
7. The expense Of getting from the terminus to the
city across the ST. Lawrence would be reduced
" one half
IfIhese be facts which stand the test Of criti
cal investigation, the conclusion to be a legt-
innate one, that Canada friends will finally adopt
the outlet line with branch to Sherbrooke Suppos-
ing them to exercise the saganity, which is
found in in general, it cannot be otherwise,
less it shall in due lime be found that there is prac-
ticabe route from Sherbrooke to Portland. This
very popular route, will probably be surveyed
aud the public mind be put to rest by its selection
rejection. The facts may warrant. But supposIng
The Portland project should fail, many predict can
it be possible that men Of capital and influence retain
irg those faculties by which capnI and influence
acquired kept will seriously think Of constructing
a rail road from Montreal, fotcard Boston, by the
villages Of ST. llyacnthe, Sherbroote, Watervlle and
Il lock Island when another so much more direct, is
presented 10 their choice7 Why do the citizens of
Montreal choose the Portland route? PalpubIy, be-
il is the shortest to the Atlantic. Should
this fail would they select the next shortest?-
They must, they will.
The merchants of Canada ard their correspondents
in England deeply interested in this question: for
the largest proportion Of the supplies Of English goods
for the whole province will soon pass by rail road
from some port of the United States, instead of de-
pending heretofore upon the tardy, expensive and
dangerous navigation Of the st. Lawrence
The high officers of government, both in England
and Canada most deeply feel the importance of this
question and put forth controlling influence in favor
of the shortest route.
All persons, interested in any part of the line from
Boston to Stansead may be expected, in due time to
express Their wishes and their convictions too in Ian
guage which will be heard respectfully, and be prop
erly regarded
With the information then, already acquired, it is
certain that the Concord and Stanstead route is the
shortest. Nothing has yet appeared furnishing
ground Cf apprehension that it will cost more per
mile than the other routes.
The other questions to the amount way BUSH
facilities Of operation from low gradients, and
large curves cannot, yet, be discussed with much
hope of advantage for want Of statistical and
geographical data be furnished only by careful sur