The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-19


Everything around and about indicates the future
gre OF our country. Bounded by stretching
through twenty degrees OF latitude and fifty degrees Of
Longitude possess elements OF such magnitude and
importance excite the wonder and admiration Of
mankind Spreading before map Of the United States.
would that Nature had lett nothing undone for the
advancement and improvement OF our race With a
system OF natural water municatons unparalleled in
their extent, dveTgng from almost every section and
winding their noseless way TO The great deep in almost!
every direction il would appear that all that remained
for to do would be but to apply these great gifts OF
Nature to ussto make them our beasts OF bur-
den and the ministers OF pleasures But the eneg
OF the American people, bounded by no laws, and de.
tered by consequences have gone Tar beyond these
the achievement OF higher designs and more benehcent
results Approaching with deep sense OF gratitude the
invaluable gifts OF The Creator they have added their
means OF usefulness and increased their value.
II appears from official statistics that the LIST Of jan
ury. lsi3 the extent OF canals in acac operation in the
United States amounted to 4,333 miles, and that there
then in progress 2,359 miles; that it is probable
that the actual extent OF artificial water communication
in considerably exceeds 5000 miles The aver
cost OF executing this prodgous system OF artificial wa
ter communication at the rate OF 1871 1923 per mile
so that 5000 miles would have absorbed capital OF
$l5o $4,000.
population, exhibits in striking point OF view the &C
vty and enterprise which characterize the American
people, In this country there is mile OF canal navi-
CATION for every 5000 nhabilans while in Great Brian
there is mile to every 5000, and in France mile
to every 900 inhabitants The ratio therefore, OF TINS
instrument OF unication in the United States
TO the population in the ratio of nine five, and greater
than that in France in the ratio of thirteen TO live
And in this department OF enterprise we but in our
infancy.
Nor has our success in another department OF inter
communication been less rapid seady The hrsl
American railway opened for passengers on Inc last
day OF 1929 According TO the reports collected and gwen
in detail appears that in 1S49 after interval Of Just
twenty years. there in actual operation $500 miles
OF railway in this country The cost OF construction OF
this system OF railway appears to have been aoont
$3.50 900 O00 being at the average rate OF nearly S!ooog
per mile. The following table exhibits the number Of
miles Of railway in actual operation in the United States
at tine present time, the capital expended in their con-
sructon and the length of the lines which process
of construction, and their probable average cost:
| Railways Cost of Pro Cost
| operation. construction jected per
| Miles. mile
Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and Con- - ..,,. ~ rae -,o an n,
S,-ao os S''t'os W
New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania Delaware, - - :. -. -. -, 40, -
Maryland. 1903 ll3l3s675 w 2,VN so,9os ~
Virginia, North Carolina,
| South Carolina, Georgia, -. . -. - -, :,
Florida and Alabama i03 40lS2A3 10 l2oJ lsVoo %
Mississippi, Louisiana,
Texas, Tennessee, Ken
| lucky Ohio, Michigan,
Indiana, Illinois, Mis- .... -. - ;,
souri, and wisconsin 1876 a737 s7a 80 5,762 lsa75 Is