Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-07-08
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lustration of what railroads have achieved in the
United States, This State has an area of about
1900 OsquaTe miles. A Apopulaton in $50 OF OOU
ooO, or "a TO the square mile Il has 1850
miles of railroad or mile 10 every six square
miles. These roads have, in round numbers cost
SO, 10000, and pay on an average six per cent,
nei upon their entire cost
The influence of these roads upon the growth of
the State in population, in wealth. in manufacter
ing and commercial greatness, has been most
tonishIng majority of these roads have been
brought into operation since lS44. The following
table will show the increased valuation of the State
OF Massachusetts, and the city OF Boston for the
period:
Valuation OF the city ofBostonin 1870 s94, 100000
lS55l35,0 100000
1S30IS0 100000
1850. $50 0O0,0
No. of miles Of road in the State in 1910. AIS
lS45.. CPS
1850. iI30
The State OF Massachusetts,, though better sup
piled with railroads tlan any other in the Union,
presents the greatest obstacles 10 their construction,
IN the rugged features of the country and in the OBJ
durate character of its soil and rock formations.
The average cost OF all the roads in the State
slightly exceed $4,000 to the mile. which is much
greater than the cost of those of any other State
In everything bu; in the character of her people,
she will compare unfavorabiy with every State ia
the Union possessing the most sterile soil the most
disagreeabe climate, and entirely wanting IN min
eral wealth. and with very slight agricultural re-
sources IT, with all these disadvantages, she has
constructed one mile of railroad TO every square
miles al cost of S5U,0O0 per mile, and derives
go1d retuTn from them At that rate why may not
other States push these works 10 al equal extent,
with the same success!
The same ratio that we find in Massachusetts,
applied to our whole territory where railroads are
in progress would give US more than is 600 miles
of railroads, against 81 0OO miles which is not far
from the extent of line IN operation and progress
At the present time. ltwoud give 20 the State OF
Ohio nearly 1000 miles, where there are not one
half of this number either IN operation in progress
or contemplated Ii would give 10 Illinois 600
miles. and nearly the same amount 20 Virginia.
Neither of these States have more than 600 miles
in operation and progress. II should be borne in
mind, that good roads can be built in Ohio for
10000 or $4,000 per mile, and in Illinois for
$4,000 per mile, as can in Massachusetts for
$4,000. There IS this reason therefore, Why the
States named should have q much greater extent
OF railroads IN proportion 10 their area.
If the investment IN railroads in Massachusetts,
has proved a good one, there is no reason Why an
equal investment should not effect the same result
IN Ohio, with the exception Ofthe fact, that the for
mer has larger population 10 the square mile.
As Offset TO this, 1t may be stated that given
number of people in Ohio furnish much larger
amount OF business TO a railroad than an equal
number in Massachusetts. large portion OF the
population of which consists Of laborers in the
large towns. In natural resources, and in extent
OF production IN proportion 10 population, the two
States cannot be compared tor instant, so vastly
superior is the former This fact was sfrikingly
confirmed by the comparative experience of the
operations OF the roads of the two States. The
receipt upon the roads of the former in proportion
10 their cost, nearly double those of Alassa-
cEusetts, and there be no doubt that the con-
struction of roads in Ohio will continue till she
has larger number of miles of railroad, in pro-
portion TO her area, than Massachusetts much
greater necessity exists Tor them in the former
than the later. They can BE- constructed at one
half their cost and must do an equal business,
not upon cost, but upon their mileage.
(To be continued