The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-05-29
s.PhiladeIphia nnd she Lakes.

AT last the citizens of Philadelphia seem
10 have awakened 10 the importance, nay
the necessity of a railroad communication
with the Lakes. Ii is The general sentiment
'of the BUSINESS community that this con-
neclion must be made, and therefore the
first thing 10 be determined is, which is the
shortest, best and cheapest route from Phil
adelphia TO the Lakes? 1t is agreed on all
hands that Williamsport, on the West Branch
of the S~usquehanna, must be reached, BE-
cause from that point a connection will be
secured with Elmira and Dunkirk, and thus
a direct communication opened from Phila-
delphia 10 Lake Erie, without waiting for the
completion of the proposed road, two hun.
dred and forty seven miles of the proposed
road, in length, from Williamsport to the city
of Erie, along the valley of the Sinnemahong,
in our own State. From Philadelphia Will
Transport can be approached by two routes,
both of which are partly constructed. The
shortest of these two routes is the one on
aEhich the energies. of Philadelphia mer-
chants should be united, because it can be
made in the quickest time and at the least
expense. To Wiulamspoit, via Harrisburg
and Sudbury, the distance is two hundred
and two miles. BY the valley OF the Schuyl-
kill, via T~amaqua and Cattawissa, the dis
lance is one hundred and ninety miles. To
complete the connection by the former, or
Susquehanna route, eighty Sir miles OF new
railroad are required; whereas, 10 complete
the chain by the Schnylkill route, but one
link of forty five miles will be- required
On the Susquehanna route, which runs
parallel with the State canals, the Common
wealth has imposed a tax of three mills pei
Ion per mile on all freight passi ng over the
road, which viii amount TO fhirty>nine cents
and sir mills on every ion of through freight
by that route.
+ On the other hand, the Ca!tawlssa route is
wholly. excerpt from this tax on freight, for
the reason that il does not run parallel with
any State improvement! Hence the Calta-
wisss is not only the shorter route, but il is
also the cheapest route, for the exemption
from State tax is so mech of a discrimina-
lion in lis favor.
With this fact staring Ptiladelphians in
the face. is it not marvellous that they do not
at once raise the means 10 construct the
road between Cattawissa and Nullamsport,
and thus finish the connection by tn Schnyl-
kill route? Let any one who may examine
The annexed figures, trace the lines on Inc
map and he will at once see the importa uce
of this question TO Philadelphia.
sCHuyLKILL ROUTE.
Philadelphia to Port Clinton, (Read-
ing Railroad,) IL mics
Port Clinton 10 Tamaqua, (Little
Scuylkil Railroad 20
Tamaqua 10 Junction with Cattawis-
sa Railroad, 10
Thence 10 Catlawissa 80
Cattawissa 10 Williamsport, As
Philadelphia 10 Williamsport, 100
sUsauEHANNA ROUTE.
Philadelphia TO Lancaster, (SIate
Lancaster 10 Harrisburg, 81
Harrisburg 10 Dauphintown
Thence 10 Williamsport, SO
Philadelphia 10 W~illiamspori, 202
Williamsport 10 Elmira, rs
Philadelphia TO Elmira, via Sus-
quehanna Route, 2T7
Philadelphia 10 Elmira, via Schuyl-
kill Rouie, 265
New York to Elmira, New York
and Erie Railroad,) 2s3
New York 10 Dunkirk, New York
and Erie Railroad,) 40
Philadelphia 10 Dunkirk, via Will
Transport and Elmira, 452
Difference in favor Of Philadelphia, is