The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-13
MATTERS OVER THE RIVER.

SoUTH JERSEY AND PHILADELPmA.-
The railroads constructed In South jersey within
a few years have contributed invaluable advan-
tages TO the mercantile and others interests of
Philadelphia. Formerly, most of the supplies
needed by the inhabitants of the bay
and sea shore were obtained from New
shoren reside coasting owners and captains who
traded TO that city, carrying wood, truck, oys-
ters, and fish; and the selection of goods was
left to the taste of the masters Of sloops and
West jersey Railroad, with its two important
branches, reach the most of these localities,
atfording storekeepers facilities for making their
own selections, with but little loss Of time,
and giving the ladies ample opportunity for
shopping.
These conveniences, Also have increased the
trade Of Philadelphla in proportion as they have
added to the population, and brought into pro-
ftable cultivation thousands of acres of bush
land. Villages have sprung up, as If by magic,
along all these roads, and the two great water
ing places have become peopled with permanent
residents. Manufacturing establishments have
been erected in various places, mechanical and
agricultural pursuits are expanding and as the
wilderness is made TO bloom, business progresses
To these railroads, therefore, Philadelphia is in
debted for an increase of trade which will COM
pare tavorably with that afforded by any two
roads in Pennsylvania.
Look, too, at the wealth and luxury accrulng
from these facilities. The rich products of South
Jersey are brought direct to the Philadelphia
markets. But Tor the increased supply thus
aUOrueu, ner growing pOpulau0n would be Sc
verely taxed for the want of full supply.
Gram, fruit vegetables, fish, oysters, game,
etc., are now brought to market in quadruple
quantities since railroads have been established,
while the supply of all kinds of meats poultry
eggs, butter, etc., is multiplied. 1t is as tortu-
nate for Philadelphia as South Jersey that our
internal improvements have developed the re-
sources of this portion of the State so rapidly;
for it has served to maintain an equilibrium in
the price of products, which the unprec edented
increase of population in that great city must
otherwise have sadly deranged. Nor is it lesser
blessing that this additional supply has done
much to place the necessares of life within the
reach of the thousands who 'sweat for bread"
In that city.
But not the least of the advantages afforded
Philadelphia by the railroads of South Jersey
are the facilities for the transhipment of goods,
when navigation meets with distractions such
as we have experienced within the past week.
How often il occurs that vessels are detained
below, with valuable freight for consignees who
frequently suffer great loss by delay The market
price may be lost contracts with jobbers may be
broken, or the demand for them, from various
causes, may cease to exist from delay Now, it
will be an easy matter to place all essential to
immediate use on the railroad. and bring them
up to the city. These facilities, however, will
be still further increased by running track to
the Cape Island wharf, from whence goods can
be taken from ice-bound vessels, and sent direct
to Philadelphia.
We might add that these conveniences en-
brace another advantage, equally important to
the merchants of that city. 1t enables them to
compete more successfully with New York. The
pretensons of the latter to commercial supe-
rority over the former will soon be made to
| sink into an empty boast by the important
facilities afforded Philadelphia, derived from
the growing improvements of South Jersey.
LoDGFRs.-The Station House in Cam
| den during the present cold and disagreeable
weather has been an appropriate study for
| philanthropists and philosophers. Large num-
| bers of individuals have found refuge there for
| the night against the pitiless storm, some of
| whom are objects of commiseraton.