Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-09-08
The Iros rsade er de UsI.ea s,a,e.
INC iron trade of this country is,

most considerable, if not the greatest
business interest in the country. 1t has
met with checks and disasters it is true
but disasters and partial failures are
more often the ground work of the
highest success than otherwise. The
history of every new enterprise youches
for the truth of this. We have had ex-
perience enough to guard against some
of our errors of legislation with regard
to this great interest. 1t would be a
happy thing for the country, if the
tariff question could be taken out of
the hands of the politicians, and the
question of requisite protection of
American industry left to be settled
upon its own merits, and this we yet
hope to see with regard to our iron
manufacturers. Probably in January,
1856, we shall in the United States
have full $4,000 miles of railway in
operation. Our railway building was
commenced about 1880, and the pro-
gress has been pretty regular since that
time, if we except the past year or two,
when the percentage of increase has
been large and rapid. In January /, T.,
1853, there was 13,847 miles of rail-
way in operation and 1O.418 miles in
construction. OF the last item it is not
out of the way to say that something
like 5000 miles will be finished in Jan
uary, 1855. If we allow 100 tons per
mile for ironing single track of rail
way this would give total of 1,60o,-
600 tons of railway bars, now or soon
to be in use. But there is a very con-
siderable amount of double track rail-
way in operation and more in construc-
ton. Let US call that extra hundred
thousand tons-which is far below the
actual fact-and we have a total amount
of 100000 tons. This at sos per
ton, present prices, gives total of
$40, 500, 900 invested in railway bars
in use. From experience it is safe to
set down the deterioration of the rail
at per cent, per annum. We fear our
later importations will show even great
er deterioration. Eight per cent wear
and tear would be 128, 900 tons per year,
over eight and one quarter millions of
dollars, and the amount for the ten
subsequent years allowing nothing for
double track, and nothing for increase
of railway track, would be, 100000
tons or SO, 100000. In our opinion the
sum of one hundred million of dollars
would come nearer the demand for this
single item of railway and turnouts.-I
By January, 1856, there will in all
be in operation, in the
United States, 3O,OO0 miles of railway
Between now and that period we shall
have to furnish the iron for some Is, 600
miles of new track, and certainly as
much as eight per cent per annum, of
the amount now in use. Altogether it
is magnificent sum. We haYe said
of the multiplied uses for iron,
ears, locomotives, steam engines, ma
steamboats,, iron sailing YES
sells, iron buildings, ETC., etc, which al
together, go to swell the consumption
to an almost unlimited amount. We
have had something to say, heretofore,
with regard to the importance of our
iron manufacturers, urging upon the
present as the best moment for starting
and extending their works, and trust
they will do so. Hardly day passes
that we do not hear of some new iron
enterprise and we wish to impress upon
the country the importance of sustain
ing it. We call upon the country to
take this question of protection of our
iron manufactures out of the vortex of
party politics, and settle it upon its own
merits. Nothing like protection is
wanted now but the time may come
when in consequence of the organized
of the foreign manufactur-
ers, our manufacturers may need it,
Let the country be wise and give it.
The present and prospective demand for
IRON, both in this and other countries,
is so large as to prevent any immediate
falling off in prices. Let our manu-
take head of the opportunities
of the next few. years. By carefulness
and economy, and with the aid they
cannot but reap from experience, they
will be able to maintain themselves
against foreign competition. Once es-
ablished, we have the facilities for sup
,lying our own consumption of iron, as
We have long had Of manufacturing
,ur own cotton clothes. Almost every
ocality of the Union has iron and other
,res. Some of the States are rich be-
7ond value in this and other minerals.
When our manufacturers reach the
,oint of supply at profit they then
,egin to compete among themselves,
md then the price drops to the mean
md fair value. With the aid of new
inventions and few years experience,
he iron manufacturers of this country
lave nothing to fear. But should the I
interest need fostering and protection I
against foreign competition-and we do
lot believe it will-the whole people are I,
,ound by self interest to give it.-Bos- ;
on american Rdilscay Times. {
AE A tradesman wrote hard Gus