The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-25

RAILWAYS IN CANADA-THR PARLIAMH Nr-SYs.
TEN OF INTERNAL IMPRovExKNrs.-lt seems that
the excitement Of the Parliament now in session
at Montreal, on the bill to pay for losses during
the rebellion, is subsldlng, and the attention OF
the members, and the assemblage of citizens at
that place, Is about beng turned 10 a more profit
able account. The subject OF improving the coun-
| try is now beginning to engross their minds.
| A meeting has been held by general railroad
delegation assembled at Montreal, from all parts
of the province, and they have devised and re-
commended TO the government plan for extend
ing base line from Quebec, along the north shore
OF the st. Lawrence and Lake Ontario, to the
head of the lake at Hamilton, and thence along
the line OF the Great Western Railway, to Sand
wlch on Detroit River, opposite to the city of
Detroit.
This plan, which 1t Is Understood ls favorably
received by the ministry, and will probably be re-
commended TO the Parliament, contemplates that
when companies are organised along this line,
and shall have expended one. third of the amount
necessary to complete the section of the road
| which the company is incorporated to construct,
to the satisfaction of the government engineer,
the government will lend their credit to an amount
sufficient to complete the other two-thirds, and
|
Security.
This Is scheme of doing up the business
with system and efficiency. 1t seems entirely
practicable. and If adopted will lead to regu-
| lar plan, which has been much needed IN the
United States. Had New York made, or aided
its citizens in making, one great base line from
the Hudson to the Lakes, leaving to indlvi-
dual enterprise to construct lateral railways radi.
ating from it, we should not now be vexed with
the caprices of seven different corporations, and
their sinuous railway, dverglDg and bending from
direct line to satisfy property owners in small
villages along the way; nor would the Legislature
be constantly harrassed with applications for
parallel roads and straight lines to shorten the
distance.
The government of Canada has already nearly
completed line Of improved navigation, by means
of canals, from the Lakes to the sea. II they now
follow 1t up with this plan of railways, the settle.
ment Of that country will be accelerated, within
three years after Its completion, more than half
century. Lateral railways and plank and macad-
amzed roads, will soon connect the great line
with the whole interior Of the province.
The system proposed il truly worth their adop-
ton. 1t Is worthy OF young, growing and ad.
NdHClHk COuhuy
Through the length ofthe Great Western Rail
way, extending from the suspension bridge, at
Niagara Falls, to Detroit nver, they will be on our
great highway between the Eastern and Western
States, and we can pass across the peninsula
less time than by any oker route We all, in.
deed, give them passenger traffic which will
make that part Of their road very profitable. This
line Of railway, toe, will connect Montreal with
Portland and Boston through the Atlantic road.
There seems to be nothing In the way of carry
ing out the system, If adopted. For individuals to
furnish one THIRD of the means, will not be one
rous. The government can, with great safety, fur
nish the other on the security of the whole, and
unoer the eye OF the public engineer, that IT Is
properly expended. Wesay to our Canadian neigh
bors, you are rieht-go ahead. Making railroads
is more profitable than making revolutions, unless
you follow the example of the old thirteen States.