New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-19

,ios an an extended scale must inevitably cease The
basis Of the transportation OF such suppes - our az
roods forming as il were, the great arteries OF our
conntry Connected with these are those lesser dis-
trimming agencies. the field transportation, whose
effectiveness depend almost otogeiher upon 'ne con
dton of the former. We arc now draw ing much oil
the supplies for our large armies from distant points
IN our railroads not kept up serious consequences
must follow. Their present CONDITION is scarcely less
nrecarous than that Of our currency. Some prompt
and decided action must be taken III the one case as
well as the other or both will soon become worthless
The continued reduction of the rates of speed on our
railroads together with the frequent failures TO make
connections is sufficient proof OF their constant aecnhe
Many of our Railroad Companies have apparently apa-
doned all idea Of keeping the roads in repair ana are
looking rather rebuilding them after the war tuah 10
keeping them up during its continuance. And VINO can
forete the duration Of the war Nearly oil our rail
road supplies formerly drawn from or through the
North These cut off, some attempts have been made
TO obtain them from Europe. But these attempts nav
In the main proven failures and the chances loi 'ne
future from that source are lessenng daily we pave
but one left 10 produce them ut nome au W.
must set 10 work at once to this end ,c,
The eaousies Of rival roads and the seihshness OF
individual interests have thwaried all efforts heretofore
10Y the accomplishment of systematic cooperation ~
our transportation facilities SOM h en% co1
which those who disposed TO act 10 the end coud
rally has been greatly needed Tho Government per
hans ONLY can furnish this nucleus. Railroad compa'
MES should realize that the public interest vested IN
them is If too important character 10 BIO trihed with
IL would be mpoltic for the Government 10 interfere
with private enterprises when Judlci0usly mtnaeeui
such interest must Yield 10 the puDlt
terost during the great struggle are now engaged IN
We do not propose that the Government SHAH inter
fere directly Will the management or working OF raj
roads unless in extreme public interest demands
lit I'm. such action might be taken 10 advise with.
aid and suggest modes Of obtaining railroad sup
plies and operating geOusy. The present con
dou of onr roads proves the necessity Of such action
The prevailing mania for money making has also seized
them They have all become rich and are IN measure
ont OF debt Their patriotism should now impel them
10 regard the public interest the highest cOnsdefa
1 is : "A
should be made TO bear upon them
What then, is 20 be donei Boiler iron, tire Iron.
wheels axles castings. &C. needed in large qnanti
ties AID not supplied within six months, much OF the
rolling stock in the country will be useless Rails must
be rcrollod, crossties supplied, roads balased sc
There but little hope that these things will be done
things are now managed BY properly organizing and
economizng the skill and labor of the country they
be accomplished. In addition TO making efforts 10 So
cure such 81 III labor from the country at large u
dcious details from the army and requiston for the
able bodied male negroes of the border counties OF
States invaded Ould probably be sufficient force
To direct this immense work, We suggest that lta'
road Bureau be formed.
/ Had such Bureau existed from the commencement
Of the war our railroads would probably be In fine
condition well supplied in every way, and ready "a
transport armies promptly from point 10 point ior
strategic purposes at the rate Of Is miles hour, In
stead Of from five eight. Who can estimate the I'D
yentages which would thus have been given U.s. moving
on the shorter base Nor would corn be now selling at
81 and 81 in Southwestern Georgia and s2 20 s5 In
virginia The valuable railroad stock recklessly de-
stFoyed would have been looked after and saved New
railroad iron would IT have been converted into plates
&C. when old could have been obtained. How much
could have been done II il useless now 10 surnise how
much may yet be done ID a matter for Congress, by
proper action, 10 show.
/ The enemy from the beginning or the war. have
based their hope Of ultimate conquest in great measure
on the deficiency Of mechanical arrangements and
ingenuity and the consequent breaking down OF our
railroads and other internal improvements IL requires
the consideration OF Congress to foil their calculations
In this as in other things. Our armies the limbs OF
the body poc-Our Of defense; but internal
t,rp rs and body tsfH
The Railroad Bureau which We propose should have
an Inspector General with the rank OF Colonel or Brig
General a. It's chief IL should have four assistants.
with the rank Of Colonel Lieutenant Colonel at they
ought 20 outrank tie Presidents Of railroads. who, ny
act OF Congress, rank Saors Each assistant shogd
be signed 10 department % the coniedN ~, with
two clerks. ranking Captain and Lieutenant. The
departments should probably be as foloS C, LIST
Virginia and North Carolnai 90 South Narohhh;;
Georgia and Tennessee; Sd. Florida Alabama and
Mississippi; 4th the Trans Mississppi Department
IL should b. the duty Of each assistant 10 be con
stanty engaged in inspecting the roads within bic rs
dction and visit each at least every three nonths
20 make arrangements for receiving and dsbnrslng raj
road supplies for manufacturing thein " furnish
cars motive power and OF transportation 10 the
Onsrt4ruasters Department; and 10 make "a quarterly
report stating the condition u road beds rolling stock
and motive power and the amount OF the same In proper
condition for service 10 b. sent to the bureau. The
Inspector.Genera should make o compilation OF facts
from these reports 20 be returned TO the War Depart
ment.
The Secretary Of War would. IN this way be always
able 10 determine as TO the practcabiity OF transport
ing troops rapidly from point 10 point and also sup
plies. What is Low. complicated matter would be
siInpifed and marked improvement would doubtless
soon be observed in tho speed and punctuay IN run
ming the roads. The railroad companies too would
be greatly benefited by this arrangement Ihelr IN
terests would be fully represented IN the Government
their grievances readily redressed and Harmonious
action would be established among them. We Trust
This subject will not be overlooked by Congress, but
that this OF come similar action will DO taken upon IT,
From The Richmond Wing, Dec. 20
INCREASING THE ARMY.
"Mr. Wigfall of Texas, inquired if the bill
kept the substitute in the army, as well as required the
principal 10 render teryicef"
"Mr Hill IL does"
MIR Wigfall raid be was glad OF II. That was the
sort Of bill he would vote for Since the last session Of
Congress things have changed rcyerses have come
sea0se PrOe>edin9s. .
II the able Senator from Texas had given himself
time "a reflect moment We are sure he would have
found Otlcr for the changes and reversos 10
which he refers than the existence and operation OF the
substitute law; do We believe that he regards the
true remedy against the recurrence Of disaster 10 Dc
found in the indiscrminate forcing OF Oil classes into
the service
What are the reverses that have occurred since the
adournment Of the last CODgressf The surrender OF
Cumberland Gap Of Vicksburg and Port Hudson, the
disappointment as 10 Gen Lees campaign OF myalon,
and the defeat at Chattanooga. Can II be truly snid
that ay one of these events resulted from the inndeqh
CIV Of our foIcesf We think not. The surrender OF
Cumberland Gap tie President himself says was mex
plicahe. The gaTrisons at Nicksburg ana fort hun.
son had proved their ability TO hold those places against
all assaults or approaches OF the enemy and more men
would only have consumed the stores on hnnd sooner
and hasten the day Of surrender Gen Lee had all the
men lie wanted could IN his invasion Of Pennsyl
yania and returned because his communications were
cut BY the food in tho Potomac
Gen Bragg had men enough "a have held his position
front Of Chattanooga, but very unwsey divided his
force lust the enemy concentrated lIs Donbtess u
Is necessary recruit the army 10 some extent but 10
do IN the Wholesale and needless way proposed ny the
Administration, and apparently favored by Congress
is TO destroy the of carrying on the war year
longer. We have about many men III the hed