The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-11


The Middle and Western States, between
New York and st. Louis, followed the ex
ample Of New York, and constructed from
their own treasures extensive canal systems.
When railroads began to be constructed,
these States interested in canals gave rail-
roads little or no assistance. But strong
cities bad grown up and they pushed the
railroad lines. Boston made q vigorous
effort to perfect her New England system.
New York capital built the Hudson River
and Erie roads, Philadelphia struck in for
the great lake trade. Baltimore did and
is doing likewise Pittsburgh loaned her
credit to the amount of FIVE millions. Gin.
einnati q much more. St. Louis likewise.
And the whole world knows the result
Those cities have fully protected their treas.
uries whenever their credit was loaned, and
have sprung forward in wealth and popuA-
lation like enchantment.
But North and South Of these thorough
fares, and beyond the fostering influence Of
Of these great cities, government has aided
railroad enterprises. The British and Can.
adian governments have powerfully helped
the Canadian roads, becau,e they needed help,
and we are all witnesses Of the beneficial
effect, not only to the Canadian people, but
to ourselves Now let us look at the in
stances among Southern States, Of similar
policy.
Maryland has loaned her State credit TO
about six millions Of dollars to railroads.
She was unsuccessful in works undertaken
by the State Treasury itself-for example,
tie Ohio and Chesapeake Canal--but her
State aid TO railroads has been perfectly sat
isfsctory. The works are constructed, and
the State has never paid dollar Of interest.
South Carolina has loaned State credit TO
the amount Of five millions Of dollars, help
ing her roads through the Alleghenies, and
always protected by the securities held by
the State
Tennessee has authorized the issue Of State
bonds to railroad companies to the amount
Of nineteen millions OF dollars, most Of which
are issued. With their proceeds, connected
with the energy and resources Of the Com
panies, more than six hundred miles Of road
have been finished. Under this impulse, the
tax list Of Tennessee has increased forty mil
lions in one year. With railroads, the Rip
Van Wrinkle sleep Of this State is broken,
and emigration is moving actively thither,
and all this is accomplished withota The pay
ment of dollar from the Treasury.
50 with Georgia, Kentucky and Virgi.
mia. Whenever the State has taken the at
titude of creditor, loaned it's credit, took
the first securities, &C., even in these slave
States, where no grants Of land have been
made, what have we seen, Entire safety
to the State - emigration encouraged
wealth increased!
We assert, and challenge contradiction,
that not q single American State has loaned
its credit to Railroads, and been compelled
TO prov,de for interest by taraf,On. When
States have themselves constructed roads or
canals, it has been otherwise; but when the
Government simply endorsed for the rail
roads, and took its 0wn securities, every in.
stance has been crowned with success and
no loss to the treasury has taken place.
Missouri has not been mentioned, because
the instances above named are stronger
The Missouri roads, like the Minnesota, have
land grants and the State, on the faith OF
roads and lands, has been justified and pro-
tected in an issue Of State credit to the
amount of twenty-four millions. Cannot
free and prosperous Minnesota exhibit one
fifth of the enterprise of Missouri
A correspondent Of the PIONEER lately
referred to the city Of Milwaukee, which
advanced her credit to railroads to 81 ,500,-
600, and the Companies have always proyi.
ded interest, although the city only held
second mortgage bonds subject to prior
incumbrance Of $4,000 per mile. The La
Crosse and Milwaukee Company have just
provided for the payment Of interest on Mil
waukee City Bonds in New York.
The measure now pending in the House
of Representatives has attracted notice
abroad. The Cincinnati Railroad Record,
edited by EDWARD d. MANSFIELD, has lately
noticed the bill a. reported by the Senate
committee. Even a. il then stood, the Ne
cord remarks that Minnesota does not pro
pose to risk her credit on securities that
have been found ample elsewhere" and that
"the securities taken by Minnesota arr
double what any other State, advancing its
credit has demanded II such high au-
thority could express this opinion previously
how much more now with the well con
sidered amendments Of the Senate.
The Railroad Record proceeds to predict
that il this measure passes, q great impulse
will be given to the prosperity Of the State
placing Us very soon, side by side with The
older States. The mere announcement Of
the proposed act Of craftsmanship and energy
produces good effect abroad. Let il be
consummated, and we will come Oh with the
liou's share Of next summers emigration Of
men and money.