The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-03-17
lIerence per CENT. marked

the prices of several articles at Lancaster
and at &enja Ga point on the railroad to Gin
cinnati,) about the 10Th January, lS47, with
the difference per cent. marked:
Lancaster Xsnia. Difference
Lard, per h. SO;05 S0,0H 80 per cent.
Cloverseed, y bu. 800 4,37I As
Wheat so II 81
Corn l8 80 &C
Oats l2l 20 Gi
Flour, per bbl. 3,25 500 SO
Making an average loss to the Fairfield coun-
ty farmer Of 5l1 per cent. on all his pro-
ductions. But from this ought to be taken
the cost Of transportation between this place
and Xenia Allow for this l41 per cent
(Which is large aIlowance) and the exact
loss to our farmers is 40 per cent. But it
may bcsaId that this is an extreme instance.
So it is. But ii has happened and may hap
pen again, and it is the part of prudence to
guard against its recurrence. 1t happened
then because a rise occurred in the price of
provisions in the winter, when our canals
were closed up with ice, and we could not
take advantage of the rise. And those who
have watched the markets know well, that
that is the season Of the year when these
rises are most likely to occur. Those, who,
at such times, are prepared to avail them
selves of the golden moment, will "put mon
ey in their PURSE" while those whose want
of enterprise leaves them always unprepar-
ed, must let such opportunities slip unim-
proved "Make hay while the sun Shines"
is good old maxim, but if we have not the
tn. in ii
away, leaving the crop ungathered to rot in
the field.
But let us suppose the loss arising from
the want of n Railroad would be much less
than the table of prices we have given makes
il; that instead of 40 per cent. the loss was
but 10 per cent. Then he who had 800
worth of produce would lose $40, he who
had $500 worth would lose $50, and so on,
in proportion to the amount each had to sell
would be his loss, and the losses sustained in
the county in each year would not only pay
the whole subscription asked of the county,
but would build the road and put it in opera
ton. Compare these sums with the trIiling
tax to be paid by each of these individuals,
for two or three years, by which those loss
es would be avoided, and then say whether
prudence counsels you 10 vote for or against
Railroad subscription!
So much Tor n southern market. A Rail-
road connection with the east, is, however,
a main object tu be attained by the construc-
ton Of this road. We suppose it scarcely
necessary 10 attempt to point out in detail
the benefits resulting from such a connec-
ton. Every one must appreciate its impor-
tance, We wIll content ourselves with
bringing TO view u few facts.
The following article is taken from an ad-
dress to the people of Franklin county, who
voted on the question last spring, and from
this and similar arguments, were induced to
decide by large majority in favor Of a coun-
ty subscription TO two railroads. The same
facts and figures apply with equal force to
our county:
"Flour is now carried on the Western Rail-
road, from Albany to Boston, distance of
200 miles for % cts per barrel; and mer-
chandlze, for about ID cents per 100 pounds.
Cheap as is this transportation, and costly
as was the construction of that railroad, (ts
average cost having been over 10000 dol
lars per mile, at least four times the expected
cost of the proposed ralwOys,) the business
Of that road during tho past year, has yielded
nett profit OF over 7 per cent, on the capi-
tai stock.
Now supposing a railroad was completed
to Cleveland, and from thence to Dunkrk,
the western terminus of the New York and
Erie Ralroad, what would be its effects on
the business of this part of the country! By
this communication the distance from Colum-
bus to Now York city will be about 600
miles.
IT Flour can be carried from Albany to
Boston, distance of 200 miles, for 25 cts.
per barrel, then it ought to be carried from
Columbus to Now York, distance of 600
miles, for rs cents. The present price of
flour in New York city is about 1875 per
barrel. Here it is worth about 4,25 per Dbl.
Dcductlng the cost of freight, and Fifty cents
on each barrel, as the purchasers profit
&c., aud at the present prices, barre
of flour could be purchased al Columbus
and placed in New York city, at a cos
of $5 so. The difference, then, between
IS so aud $7,25, is the loss sustained by
the Franklin county farmerin not having
railroad communication with New York
city, that is Sl,75 per barrel; or allowing
five bushels of wheat to the barrel, 81
cents to tho bushel. But this may be
said To he an extreme case; that such {
difference is not usual, This is doubt
less true; and yet it not frequently hap
pens that very considerable advance
takes place in the price of produce east
during the winter, when we are shut ou,
from the privilege Of participating in any
Of its advantages, Let us take another
case. In December last, prior to tho ad
vance in the price of produce, nour SOLD
in New York city at So ,624 per barrel
while at the same time. in this market, i
was worth $3,37. Difference in these
prices, S2,25. Allowing, as before 81 81
for tho cost Of transportation and othe
charges, we have $l,00 clear gain, or
saving to the farmer of 20 cents on eacl
bushelof wheat. An equal advance ii
proportion to its value, would of course