The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-22
THURSDAY, MARCH %. 1896.
Philadelphia and No tollk.

Norfolk. Philadelphia will thus be put in
relation, by short route, with the whole rail
road system OF Southern Virginia and North
Carolina, as we'll as with Richmond and the
railway system centring there. This will
prove most important addition to our means
of internal trade. Prior to the construction
of the Delaware Railroad, or so much OF 1t as
was first opened tor travel and freight on the
18th of December, 1855, onlya small part Of
the trade of the country traversed by it came
to this point. New York monopolized it by
means OF vessels which took the grain,
ship timber, etc., OF that whole region,
from several landings on the waters
of the Delaware and lower Chesapeake
Bay, directly to that city. These vessels re-
turned treigbted with goods purchased in
New York with the proceeds OF their cargoes
A large part OF the grain and timber thus
sent to New York, was actually carted at
great expense across the line of the Delaware
Railroad to the points of shipment, simply
because it bad not then any other outlet to a
market. All these products, however, can
soon be brought here at a cost very slightly
OASSOulhB NhdG was lClulOu W uSllf6E JuGm
by teams on the waters of the Delaware and
Chesapeake. They will thus increase the
exports Of Philadelphia and enlarge its trade
with the people of Delaware and the Eastern
Shore OF Maryland, who will be attracted
hither to exchange their produce for our
merchandise and manufactures. So much
for the probable extension of our commerce
with the communities Immediately adjoin-
ing us.
But still more interesting field will be
opened to us in those portions of the South
where New York has hitherto, by means of
her splendid steamships, had no rival with
whom to divide the trade and travel of that
section. The direct communication soon, we
trust, to be established between this city and
the entire Southern quarter of the Union by
way OF Norfolk and Richmond, will divert in
this direction a considerable, If not the major
part Of that travel and commerce which have
heretofore gone round us by sea to a more
remote market With the facilities OF access
made equal, Philadelphia has an advantage
over New York, as regards the Southern
trade, in her superior manufacturing resources
and industry. Her iron, machinery, jeWelry,
leather, boots and shoes, carpets, wall papers,
hats, and so orth, offer supplies to the South
which cannot be procured as cheaply and
abundantly in any other American metropolis.
Moreover, as most persons prefer Inland navi-
cation and railroad, where they are as direct
and expeditions, to oceans, it may be presumed
that the route by boats from Norfolk to Nan
ticoke city, or some point in that vicinity, and
thence by railroad to Philadelphia, will
become the tavorte channel of communica-
ton between the Southern and Eastern
States.
There is another important view to be
taken of the Delaware Railroad, as affecting
our mercantile interests. The line runs to a
point within few miles of LeWes, lying at
the Breakwater, and always accessible to
shipping. To communicate quickly and GER
tainly, at all times, with vessels at the spot
named, would prove to be an invaluable al
vantage, especially at those seasons when the
Delaware is closed or obstructed by ice. 1t
would not be extrayagant to say that the
utility Of branch road to Lewes, which
would unite tlis port with the Capes of the
Delaware by railway, would be more than
sufficient, in the money saved to our CONNER
cial classes in one winter, to pay Tor tho Della
ware Road and the branch to LeWes into the
bargain. Indeed, without such a connection
with the Breakwater, Philadelphia will
never realize the full benefit of the i'm
mense outlay in building the various lines
of railroad convergng here, and designed to
give us command Of the trade OF the South
and Southwest. In order to secure that
trade, we must lave a medium of access to
and from the ocean, for exports and imports
not liable to be closed at any season. The Della
ware Road, with Ink connecting at Lewes
would supply that deslderatum, and with il
the convenience Of intercourse and facilities
OF transacting business with this port would
scarcely be eXcellad by any other on our
coast. Wien brought within three hours
ride by railroad of point of arrival and de.
parture for Europe, right at the Capes of the
Delaware, Philadelphia would answer all de-
msnds OF commerce, without the DELAYS anC
interruptions which now turn trade and ira
vel away from her.
LATEsT.-The last e1fusion of Mr.. Comm