Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-07-20
The Two Rail-rOad Routes.

We honestly confess that we know but lit
tie about the two Railroads now in contem-
plation, but as we live in free country, where
man may speak what he thinks with perfect
safety to his "outer man, !" We viii run the risk
of having our ignorance made public, by ven
turing orr opinion. There is a great deal of
strife and bad-feeling already got up, (if we
may believe the papers) and the various cities
between this place and Cleveland are calling
Indignation meetings, threatening if it does
not pass their precincts. to give this particular
one "Hail Columbia, and annihilate all 9th
ers in general
Our citizens seem to take the matter very
coolly. There is but little prospect but that
should either of the two proposed roads be
made, one Of them would pass directly through,
or very near our place. Therefore but little
is said, and but little excitement is got up, al
though sundry towns threaten to leave us in
the rear of its benefits if we do not favor their
particular measures on the subject.
Let US look at the comparative advantages
of the two routes. Which will be the most
practicable? Which after it is constructed,
will be the most profitable to all concerned?
True, there are several objections to both
the routes from Toledo to Cleveland, and
heavy difficulties to be overcome. That by
the Lake shore, as far as the building is con-
cerned, is in our opinion, the most objectiona-
BILE, if we but once take in consideration that,
rivers over which it must pass arc wide and
swampy at their mouths, and the cost of bridg-
ing will be immense; and besides, it can new
er be as safe and as firm, as when built upon
the solid ground.
Besides there is another insuferable obiec-
ton to this proposed route, viz: the bridging
of the Sandusky Bay. The Supreme Court
of the United States in the case of the Wheel
ing Bridge have settled this question perma-
nently. The Sandusky River and Bay are
navigable waters, and no company will ever
be permitted to obstruct its channel, by floats
or draw bridges. Besides the cost of that
bridge (six miles long) would be enough TO
bridge and gil up half the gullies between
Toledo and Cleveland.
The route by the way of Wellington. Nor
walk, Bellevue, &c, presents few of the diff
culties just mentioned The whole surface is
somewhat broken, of course, by the waters
passing into the Lake. But materials on this
route will be moderately obtained, and being
through goOdly settled country, the facilities
for obtaining accommodations are better, and
consequently the speedy completion of the
work will far excel the other. The bridging
and filling up of the valley of the Sandusky is
the most difficult point on this route; the val
leys of the other streams being comparatively
narrow
Now, as TO the probable results as to the
profits: The Lake shore road would be sub
ject to continual drainage, in consequence of
passing so near SO many ports; and steamboat
travelling being much the cheapest there are
very few who would not rather risk drowning,
than to pay two or three dollSrs more for rail-
road fare. Besides this, as we said before it
would be through country where there is
not half-dozen inhabitants to the square miie
and over swamps which would be any thing
but pleasant.
Look at the other side of the picture n
passing from Cleveland, via. Wellington, DC,
there would be no Lake ports to take off the
passengers. and being through thickly set
settled country there would be great amount
of business done by the company, which would
not be done on the other route. Goods which
have now to be shipped to Cleveland and from
thence carried to the inland towns by teams
might be shipped from New York direct to
the place of destinstion. The produce too.
which must be carried in wagons from the
country to sandusky City, Cleveland and 9TH
er Lake ports, might be taken aboard at the
very doors of the farmers in the northern coun-
ties, saving to them great deal of labor and
expense.
On the whole, we think that any man look
ing at the thing candidly, will come to the same
conclusion. The reasons are almost too obYi-
GUS to need repetition.