The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1851-03-20
Tuesday Evening, March is, 1851
RArLRoAp TRANsPoRrATIoN.-Tbe 9th.

transportation of merchandise aud pro.
luce by railroad and canal We treat
at that time on the price only, and en-
leavored to show the vast Importance to
nur farmers especially of having cheap
modes Transportation. Our object was
10 convince them that the advanced
prices of those products they have to dis
pose of, was a matter of considerable pc.
%cuniary importance and far over balanc-
ed what they are called upon to expend
for the proposed public improvement,
considering all things in the most
unfavorable light. In that article, we
treated exclusively Of the cAeaPness of
railroad transportation.
Short profits and quick turns" is a
motto upon which every sensible business
man bases his action. If produce deal.
err here can purchase wheat or corn,
send L to market in a few hours, aud in
as many more receive his money. he can
afford to pay a higher price for such ar
ticles and at the same time be more GER.
tain Of a good investment. BY our pres.
ent modes of transportation, ii takes from
twelve to twenty days to reach the eastern
markets, and during that time it is i'm.
possible to ~ioretell what changes may
take place. The risk is proportionably
greater and the profits less sure. During
some seasons Of the year, we are entire
ly shut out from any intercourse with
these markets. BY means of a railroad
our produce dealer could reach these
cities in from thirty to forty hours, dis
pose of his stock and in as many hours
have the money in hand TO invest in an
other lot. 1t is easily perceived that he
would be willing to pay higher prices.
The same may be said Of the merchant
who brings manufactured articles here to
dispose ofin this community. This sub
ject can be extende d farther and applied
in several ways by any person who will
exDend few thoughts upon it. SO much
for the q~uickncss of transportation.
Facts with which our readers are ia
miliar and which at this time have pecu
liar force, speak loudly in regard to the
certainty Of transportation. Our mer-
chants, generally, have been East and
laid in their Spring and Summer sup
plies and at this time are e1pccting the
arrival of Their stocks, some portions OF
Of which arc called for every day
by their customers. All along the street,
the uncertainty of canal navigation is
freely spoken Of. This lock is to be re.
built, this bar to be removed or this break
t" be repaired, and to do this the water
must be let off from ten to thirty days
When this vexatious delay is added To
the two mile an hour mode of transpOrta
ton. it renders the receipt of goods or
the shipment Of produce an uncertain af
fair. 1t is not so with railroad transpor
tatinn. With very rare exceptions, the
repairs are made with the celebrity with
which the steam.caI moves. and seldom
are goods delayed over a few hours.
The superiority Of canal transportation
over the old plan. is caused only by the
greater amount which can be carried
with the same cost. Goods andproduce
are transported no faster than by Wagon,
with less certainty aud considerably
greater risk; aud yet the most violent op.
pnuents of railroads will hold up the ca.
nal al a model in its way and claim thai
it is sufficient for all practicable purpos.
SEES. If then, the superiority of this very
good aud very profitable improvement,
for W. admit both. is so generally &C
k~now'edged, how much better will it be
Tor the citizens of our county to construct
another improvement, which not only
possesses the advantage of greater cheap.
ness, but the additional and highly impor.
tant advantages ofqnickness and certain.
ty.
IL a wise aud sensible farmer has had
in use for a number ofyears, a very good
and servicentle plough, and at las, comes
across nnoiher which he knows possesses
greater advantages, he will not hesitate
a moment as to his course. but will pur-
chase the implement, take It home and
use it upon his farm. So with any other
newly invented farming u%tensil, of the
superiority Of which he is we'll satisfied.
What is the part of wisdom in the one
case. is so in another. and is easy of APP
plicaticn to many questions of public pol
icy. This is the age Of rapid communi.
cation. Words are transmitted by light
ming; bulkier articles go by steam. To
keep pace with the age, we must not
stop to see how it is getting along, but
send word ahead, jump into the cars and
go along with il. We must use old things
where they can be used to advantage;
where they c%annnt, we will sadly neg
lect our opportunities by not availing