The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-03
BosToN, March 81, 1S4S.
The Enterprise of Massachusetts-Ihe Splendid
RaiLrond in asi PoIificaI

The Enterprise of Massachusetts-Ihe Splendid
Railroad Depots in Boston-Political affairs.
If the expressed opinions of men whose posi-
tions and pursuits ought to make them good
Judges in the premises, are to be relied upon the
coming season will be one of the most remark
able ever known in Boston, in the way of build
ing; and. consequently, all other branches OF
business will be brisk. hear much of contracts
having been entered into for this, that, or the
other work, all to be performed before the COM
mencement of next winter. How far these con-
tracts may come to be modified by events which
may affect the moneyed world, am not prepared
to say. The railroad mania is very rife in this
state, and should all the petitions before the Lee
gi5lature for either new charters or increase of
capital, be granted, there will be famous run
on our capitalists, banks, &c. Not England her
self got into worse scrape through the same
cause, than we shall, the great success of many
OF our roads having turned the heads of some,
while others are actuated by the more laudable
desire to have the benefits which unquestionably
flow from the construction of railroads extended
to places IN which they may chance to be inte-
rested Our Legislature has for several days
been engaged in discussing the question of grant
eli-the friends of the Lowell and Boston Rad
being deslrous to compel the company to make
use Of their road, 80 lar as may be, so that their
monopoly may not be disturbed In any way.
The great increase OF our city business con-
sequent on the building of railroads, has rem
dered necessary the construction of new and
much larger depots than formerly answered all
purposes. The FItchburg Railroad Company,
whose passenger and merchandise depots are
now at Charlestown, to the great Inconvenience
OF travellers, are engaged In building magnii-
cent depot in the city, which Is to be reached by
a new road over Charles river, and which will
soon be ready for This depot fronts on
Causeway street, and runs back on Haverhil
street to Charles river bridge. 1t is really SUI
nayh- Of and will ho nf fho
ments Of the city; and In quarter, too, sadly de-
hcient in architectural establishment. 1t is three
hundred feet long by fifty in breadth The height
lie fifty feet from the ground to the point of the
roof; but there are four towers, one on each cor
ner, which are to be forty feet higher, or ninety
from the ground. The building is of granite,
from the Rollstone quarry, in Fitchburg, an ex-
cellent article in many respects, but lacking that
. elegance which is so conspicuous in the material
Tor which Quincy is renowned. / think it
was mistake on the part of the directors that
they did not make use Of Quincy granite; but
suppose they were actuated by desire TO en-
courage business on the route OF their own road,
and to effect their work with all possible econo-
my. OF the precise cost of this undertaking !
am not ADVISED but 1t is said that the whole out
lay incurred by bringing the road into the city,
erecting the depot, &c, will not be much short
OF 100000. The necessary power for this ex-
tension OF business was obtained of the Legisla-
ture last winter--and fortunately so, think, for
the extent of railroad business before that body
now, would have been unfavorable TO the under.
taking. The mildness OF the last winter enabled
the work to 60 on without much interruption
from the season, and II will al soon be ready
tor use.
This city depot will be used only for passen-
gers,and the combined depots at Charlestown are
TO be devoted solely to MERCHANDISE, the conve-
niences for freight on the Fitchburg road being
at present sadly limited, though much more ex-
tensive than the most sanguine friends of the
road believed would ever be required, when Its
construction was commenced In fact this road
n a w Wi nd
In short time as far as Ogdensburg and Mon
trcal IN one direction. to Bratteboro, and proba-
bly, to Albany and to Keene. Many think it will
prove more useful road in communicating with
the West, than the Boston and Albany road
year or two since, when Whitney's project was
thought more OF than II now is, there were those
commencement of road which would have lis
western terminus on the southern Pacific: but
now that events have turned all eyes from Ore
gon TO California, II is probable that sensible
the continent should terminate some where on
the shores of the grand Bay OF San Francisco.
where, at no distant day, will arise a commercial
city which will be what Fuller calls Tyre-"the
royal exchange Of the world"
Some other Of our railroad companies are also
about TO increase their depot accommodations.
Inc Lowell company, / understand, find diff
suliy IN procuring land, not being able to get
oack, al any price, that which they sold at low
rates lew years since, in the immediate vici-
my oil tneir depot. They are said, however, to
granite. "
The Maine Extension Comnanv have A. 6ne
BRICK depot on Haymarket square. which some
desire to have converted into a market. while
others wish to see II changed into an immense
warehouse, or something of that sort Tne re
alization of either Of the sc plans wond necsss;-
tate the erection Of a new depot, which would
doubtless be, both in size and style, WORTHY of
ne vast success which has attended the opera.
iiors OF this company. There bids fair to he a
OF competition among the railroad oo,u
psni IS, for the erection of b andsome buildlngs.
Won which the city will reap much in The way