Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-16

and cost, the only elements OK calculation
that can enter into an abstract comparison !
of the operative value CT routes, the South
crn R0die OF ythis division denonstrpbly the
the best.
SgcoND DyIuoN.--Ths division includes I
that part OF the line between Cattle aud
Medicine Greeks, embracing the Northern |
Route, by Gaiatin and Sprnghll--the |
"Utica Divide" Route, passing one mile
south of Utica and Ghilicothe-a the /
"Shoal Greek" Route, passing down The I
Valley of "Sheal Greek" two miles north
of Kingston, and joining the two former at
Medicine Creek. The comparative value
of these route is shown in table Is by /
which it appears that the Northern Route,
passing the same tonnage, will cost S4O,f7OI
per annum more than the "Utica Divide"
Route at the estimated cost OF cosstruc-
lion, and S3l lbs per annum more nj CON
tract cost; that the "Shoal Creek" Route
will exceed the "Ulica Divide" Route by
81 1913 per annum at the estimated cost,
and &2,736 per annum at contract cost.
The Utica Divide" Route is therefore the
best route. ......-.. ....ff
TuiRp DIvIs1oH.-The Third Division, ex-
tending from Medicine Creek TO Palmyra, in-
cludes the "Northern Route, passing through
Bloomington and Shelbyyille, and the Southern
Route" passing three miles south of Blooming
Ton and seven miles south of Shelbyvile. BY
table & it will be perceived that the cost of the
I"Northern Route" at estimated value, is
$1S. O27 per annum greater than the cost of the
"Soulhern Route" and 1882 per annum great
err at contract cost Of construction. The South
ern route is therefore the best route.
FoURTH DfvIs1oN.-The Fourth Division ex-
tends from Palmyra to Hannibal, embracing the
"Bear Creek" Route, the "Cear Creek" Route,
and the "Minnow Branch" Route. With re-
card TO the surveys Of this division, the Board is
aware that the two former routes were survey
ed and reported upon by Inc at a former meet
ing of the Board, AMI that the latter route was
partially examined and abandoned. Being un-
der the impression that all the examinations ne
cessarv to enable the Board TO decide upon the
selection OF route for the eastern terminus
had been made-and that speedy completion
of the approximate location was necessary, and,
indeed required by an order of the Board-Mr.
/ w. G. Bayly was dispatc he'd, Immediately alter
| the adjournment Of the Board in August last, to
take charge of corps OF engineers, FOR the
purpose of continuing the preliminary surveys
/ previously terminated at Palmyra in 1851. Up
on his arrival at Hannibal, instructions were
issued to him ''by the Directors" as stated in
his report resulting in the survey of the whole
and definite location OF part of the "Minnow
Branch Route. Nearly one-half of this route
is traced on curves, series which of short ra-
dii, and in reversed order, occurring in a grade
eight feet above the maximum, are wholly mad
missible on this road In the calculations OF
Of quantities, the slopes Of the cuts are assumed
at l to l, with general base of fifteen feet; the
estimated cost is therefore too low. Aside from
these objections, which will require greatly
increased expenditure 70 obviate, it will be seen
by reference to table ID, that is inferior to Ell
ther the Clear or Bear Creek 1t will also be
seen by the same table, that the estimated cost
? Of the Bear Greek Route is $2lS,l4l and the
contract cost $34O, 400; that the Clear Greek
Route at estimated cost is $24G 1915, at con.
, tract cost $2GI 300; and that the Mnnow
Branch Route is 1923 1897 at estimated cost, and
5000 500 at contract cost. AT the estimated
2 cost the Bear Creek Route is the lowest, and al
contract cost Clear Creek is the lowest. Bat
upon comparing the operative value of the du
{ ferent routes, as exhibited in the before men
: toned table, it will be seen that the Clear
p Greek Route will cost $G,6l7 per annum less
, than the Bear Creek Route, at estimated cost
, and Sl3O23 per annum less at contract cost
: the Minnow Branch Route at estimated cost
q and Sl4, 1855 per annum less at contract cost
, By this comparison the Clear Creek Route il
the best, in consequence Of the greater econo-
my of the working expenses and rcp,rs accru
ing from the shorncsS Of the route. These adj
vantages were appreciated by me in the concu
Sions arrived at in my former report on the sur
= vcy of these lines in 1851. But, on the Other
hand, there was the great available space lount
at the terminus Of the Bear Creek Route, an,
. the want OF il at the terminus of the CIea
: Creek Route; TO provide for which, and TO pro
| cure the exclusive right of way for some dis.
] lance above the town, which seems TO be neces-
( sary would probably require an expenditure 0
at least 800 600. This consideration, togethe
with the difference Of the probable cost of con
struc,ion Of the Clear and Bear Creek Routes
inclined me in favor Of the adoption Of the latter
! As | then stated everything else being equal
the Bear Creek Route is preferable on accoun
Of its superior advantages in approaching tn,
river, and the probability existing that the max
mum grade can be reduced" The object thel
t was TO obtain the least expensive route, having
g the best outlet from the city, the maximum
grades being equal. But questions seem to have
arisen, which may render these consideration
! Of minor Importance. The first is with regart
! to the conditions Of the contract; the second i
the fact that other works in the immediate vi
: cinity have been encouraged by the Legislature
which will probably be constructed, and creat
S competition in the carrying trade. 1t therefer
becomes necessary to take into calculation othe
= elements affecting the ultimate value of tn
l. Road, that the transportation may not be unne
cessarily delayed or taxed. How far the result
deduced from these computations are to govern
the precise location Of the eastern terminus,
is not my province to decide, They have, how
ever, an important bearing upon the practica