New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-08
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
TIE BRIDGE AT ALBANY.
To ne Editor Of TIE " Y. Tti5vss

"
SIR: There scarcely remains a doubt upon the mind
of any intelligent citizen of this State about the expe
dency or the necessity of building bridge across the
Hudson River at Albany Even the good people ofTroy
themselves are constrained admit that the prosper
ity of the State requires such measure, and that
they in common with their elow-citizens throughout
the State will derive permanent advantage from the
work 1t is indeed an enterprise which concerns not
this or that locality alone, but the whole Empire
State Albany is the great centrepot, the cOnvergug
point for the Atlantic seaboard. Thither tends an i'm
mense amount of produce seeking maritime market.
Five important railways have there their termini,
three Oh the east side and two on the west the traffic
of which, both in passengers and freight, is immense.
Duly fostered and encouraged, the business of these
roads is capable of almost indefinite extension. They
can bring to this city almost the entire trade of the
great West. to the incalculable enrichment OF the
Empire State But to do this every facility must be
Afforded to them for other railroad companies in other
States are warmly competing for that trade, and as
siduously striving to guide ii to their own ports
Whatsoever facilities are within their reach they are
prompt to avail themselves of, and whenever they
can get the advantage over us they are prompt to
do so.
And there is no denying that this break at Albany
advantages of forwarding produce and other freight
via Albany to New-York; for the ferry across the
river has involved delay, deterioration and expense.
Indeed the delay and deterioration are expense
enough, without taking into account the dues, which
are no incOnsderabe item to the forwarder Now,
the direct cost aud the still grayer matters of delay
and injury or waste, might long since have been
avoided and our own railroads been put beyond sue
cesslul competitor, had not certain persons under
groudess apprehensious and from mistaken policy,
opposed the reasonable proposition OF bridging the
Hudson at Albany. 1t is gratifying to know. how
ever that all parties beginning to see the ques-
ton in its true light, and that most probably during
the present session Of the Legislature wiser policy
will be inaugurated and impetus be given to
the trade between this city and the West. We learn
that petitions numerously and respectfully signed,
have been addressed to the Legislature from each Of
the river counties and from other parts of the State
praying that body to take immediate action in the
premises and sanction the building Of a draw-brdge
at Albany for the accommodation Of the passengers
and the more speedy and economical transit of the
freight crossing at that point.
We do not hear that any serious opposition to the
measure is contemplated any quarter Perhaps some
NAV come from Troy from the fear that that city may
suffer from the partial interruption Of the way up the
river. The alleged INJURY TO Troy -, however, more
imaginary than real. 1t is designed only to build
drawbndge, which shall be kept open, except when
train is due. But there is q consideration which
should be borne in mind and which doubtless lies at
the bottom Of the increasing favor with which the
project is received 1t is very evident that transport
alton both of passengers and freight by railroad is
superceding that by water The business Of the coun
try is to be done by railroads. and not by the river and
boats. Railroads, therefore, must be accommodated
as well as sloops, schooner barges and steamboats,
If the necessary convenences for the economical dis
patch of such business not supplied to our own
roads they will be in neghborng States, and the State
will lose the profit Of such traffic. Troy would feel
such loss no less than other cities OF this Common
wealth This tendency of produce and all other com
modtes to adopt the much quicker and less destruc
tive and but little expensive mode OF reaching
an ever ready market cannot be stopped. II arises
from natural causes and must increase. 1t is there
fore the part of true wisdom to fall in with 1t and
make it subservient to the prosperity in which
every city and village must share. And it is because
we believe that bridge at Albany would improve the
mode Of transit which fast increasing IN popular ia
v,r that we desire 10 see that work carried ou-not
because we desire any injury to Troy but the reverse
We hope the prayer Of the petitioners VII be granted
F,L,ya,y7 ls5 MANY CITIZENS.