Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-04-14
TIE PANAMA RAILROAD.

Inc following history and description OF the
new Highway Of Nations across the Islhmus,
is from the Nec York Herald:
The attention of the world has long been
turned towards the lsthmus as a way of short
ening the route TO the Indis. Various pro-
jecis have been conceived Will this end in view
In January, 1895, gras was made to
Charles Baron de Thierry, sofereign cheief Of
New Zealand, by the President and Deputies
Of the Republic Of New Granada, for the con-
s,ruc,ion Of canal between ihe two oceans
to connect the Bay of Panama and Leinin Bay,
by way of the Rio Grande and Chagres river
the canal 10 be adapted to vessels drawing
ten fee. water, and to be called the Panama
Canal. The grant is extend over period of
fifty years.
In 1896, Colonel Biddle, brother of Nichol-
as Biddle, procured grant for a railroad or
macadamized road, subject to the non-fulflment
of Thierry's grant. In 1887, Biddle died In
1888, the New Granadian government failed
to carry out its contract with ThierTy, and
made grant for 90 years, to salamon & Co.,
for railroad or canal. This contract fell
through.
II was not until American capital and Amer
lean enterprise took hold OF the project that
this great work was carried to a successful
concluson-a work that had long agiiatcd the
hopes and fears Of the commercial world In
June, 1850, the Panama Railroad Company
was organized under charter from the State
of New Yoik Ia 1850 a contract was made
between the New Grenadan government aud
John L. Stephens, granting the privilege for
iorty-nine years OF constructing and working
the railroad The goyernmen, reserved the
right to resume possession at the end oftweniy
years, on payment Of FIVE millions Of dollars
OF at the expiration of thirty years, on paying
two milious Of dollars. The company pays to
the government three per cent, of the profits of
the enterprise, No taxes arc 10 be imposed
on property ofthe company. Government stores
to be carried free
In June, 1850, the first ground was broken
on the road. The first opening Of any portion
of the road took place in March, 1859, when
trains were first run to Gatun, distance of
seven miles. In the July following, the road
was extended 10 Barbacoa, distance Of %
miles. In February, 1864, il was opened to
Oblspo, 81 miles in length. One train day,
except Sundays, is run through each way the
whole length Of the road, now extending from
ocean to ocean, distance of i9 miles. The
first 23 miles, which were, to a great extent,
built upon piles, are now filled in, and the rains
Of the past season have not caused any maieri-
al settling Of the work on the eastern or north
ern sides.
The equipments in power consists of six
heavy and four light locomotives. The necessa-
ry machine shops, &C., are now temporarily
constructed of wood, but it is intended to sub
stltuie iron, as also for the bridges. This is
necessary in climate where wood lasts but a
short time. Going from the Atlantic, the high
est grade is liiy-ihree feet to the mile. From
the Pacific, sixty feet. The worst radius or
curve is six hundred feet AT the highest point,
the summit, the road lies two hundred and iihy
feet above tbs level OF the sea. The fare now
charged is S25, and ten cents per pound extra
for baggage The freight is rated in three
classes, the loves. being $50 per ion, and the
highest, $50.
The company has now about 5000 laborers
engaged-wages eighty cents a day and found.
A police force Of forty men has heretofore been
maintained by the company on the line of the
road for protection against robbers. The great
er part of these have been cx,erminated OF
banished, and the force is now reduced 10
twelve men. They are undor the command
of the indomitable Rom Runnels.
At Aspinwall the company owns harbor
quite accessible and well protected, except from
noriherly winds. A few wseks ago violent
norlher dismasled a vessel, and tore away .
portion of the companys wharf and the build
ing on the same. At sufficient expense q
break water may probably be built to improve
this feature.
] The charter now obtained requires The Pa