The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-04
The Route from Washington to New York.

SItlons from all the railroad corporations on that
route; and il has become very interesting
question whether or not there is possibility of
correcting them.
A correspondent in our columns, writing a
few days since from New York. gave very
graphic and minute account of trip from
Washington to that city. He left Washington
at five O'Clock in the afternoon of Saturday, and
reached New York (waking four miles and "a
half) at twelve O'Clock on Sunday night.
! When Sunday does not intervene, one may
leave at FIVE in the afternoon and be in
New York at from twelve to three o'clock the
reach New York with good luck) at from ten
to eleven o'clock at night. Sometimes, under
extraordinary circumstances, the journey may
be brought within ten o'clock, but very seldom,
in our experience. That is to say a journey is
made in sixteen that ought TO be made in eight
hours, and at nearly double the cost at which
smaller distance is accomplished between Bos
ton and New York
To illustrate the impositions practised upon
the public by the corporations between this
city and New York, let us compare their ac-
commodations with those of the Boston and
| New York railroads. You can leave Boston
after breakfast and by the way of Worcester
and New Haven reach New York for an early
dinner. Or you may leave Boston after din
ner, and reach New York in reasonable bed
time. Now you leave Washington at six in
the morning, take breakfast (and very
good one at Guy's) in Baltimore, and by
nine start from the depot for Philadelphia.
Three hours have elapsed in which you have
accomplished thirty-sx miles. Then, if you
are fortunate, you will reach Philadelphia just
in season to bolt your dinner and arrive at five
o'clock at the boat for Tacony; and you reach
New York not only after tea-time, but after
any well-regulated mans supper-time. All
the meal-times of the day are passed upon the
road, involving extra expenses and the discom-
forts which spring from all hasty enterprises
upon the digestive organs. So you sum up
your fares and disbursements at nine dollars
and eighty eight cents, against five dollars on
the road between New York and Boston. After
reaching New York you can go North, East,
and West, at double the speed and half the
price at which you have travelled there from
Washington.
| The reason of this is the absence of competi-
ton on the Washington and New York route
1t is monopoly all the way, as matters stand
and in New JERSEY we are subject to mo-
nopoly the more odious because the State shares
in the booty which is levied upon the citizens of
other States who travel through her inhospita-
BILE borders. We have been told, though it is
hardly credible, that all the expenses of the
government of New JERSEY are betrayed from
these taxes upon foreigners"
The travelling public have been exposed to
these wrongs Tor many years, with no remedy
| or alienation. The question is of course asked
every day if there is no mode of correcting the
evil tits at least worth while to inquire, and
we would solicit from our correspondents any
suggestions in the premises which are calcu-
! lated to show in what manner the monopoly of
which we complain can be broken up.
We have before us communication on the
subject which suggests feasible remedy, based
upon the power of Congress to establish post
roads. A line of railroad might be constructed
between Washington and New York on which
! the mail and passengers could be transported in
eight hours. "Nobody doubts" says Mr.. JUS
tice STORY, In his Commentaries on the Fed
eraI Constitution, "that the words Establish
post roads, may, without violating their re-
ceived meaning in other cases, be construed so
as TO include the po,cer to lay out and construct
roads" If this is i correct construction of
| tho power, there is no doubt that it could
he exercised with entire propriety in all
cases where the public convenience is so
utterly disregarded as on the route in question
Every disposition, indeed would exist to exer
else euch power in case like that of New
JERSEY, where tho citizens Of other States are
| exposed TO such shameless eNtoT.ions. There
is no doubt that individuals could be found who
would willingly construct such road, and
bind themselves 10 carry the mail grstuitousy
for series of years, if not in perpetuity. That
being the case, it presents a subject ofvery grave
consideration, whether Congress should refrain
from exercising this power. Public convenience
demands it. Public opinion has been too long
outraged by the infamous policy of New JER-
sEY. Public inclination would point to the
| adoption of any Constitutional remedy for the
grievances TO which we have alluded.
| We hope that this subject will be attentive
| ly considered in the aspect in which we have
presented ii, fit is in the power Of the States
to compel the Federal Government to submit
to the abuses Of these State corporations, SO be
it; we must then acqniesce in the arrangement
of halving the average speed of conveyance
over this great thoroughfare, and Of doubling
/ Il, 6 - ID
Congress has any power directly or indirectly,
to alleviate or remove the evil, we respectfully
suggest that the power ought 10 be exercised.
The Hon CHARLEs j. FAuLEsER, Wing mem