Middletown transcript., 1870-01-15
For the Middicto,cn Transcript.
OUR RAIL ROADS.

The question now eliciting public atten-
fion, is whether, or how far, the people of
this State and peninsula are benefited by
railroad facilities.
In the abstract, there can be no question
OF the vast advantages, pecuniary, intel
lectual and moral, resulting to communi-
ties located on, or in proximity to lines of
railroad; but in our particular case many
rejecting men, in view of the general sys-
tenn of extortion and absorption resorted to
by the controllers of our main lines, are
apprehensive, and with reason, that even
though we may have facilities, correspond
ing advantages are far from being realized
The State of Delaware, the creature of
its taxable citizens, has been very liberal
to railroad improvements within its bor-
ders, not only as an endorser of the bonds
OF at least two companies to q very large
amount, but also in o more substantial
form Of an absolute donation, as we are in-
formed, of about 5000, 600 to the princi-
pal-the Del. r. r. Co. This fund was
due to the State in instalments of $40, 900
per annum for twenty years, from GER
tain corporation for a certain monopoly
privilege obtained eighteen years ago.
We have no doubt of the prompt pay
ment Of these instalments as given to the
Del. Road by the State, and surely the
citizens, thus liberal. had reason to antic-
ipate that they would reap advantages in
the form of reasonable charges for freight
and passengers.
In these hopes they have been disap-
pointed, and already are our people look
ing forward to other means of transporta-
ton. A charter has been granted to
company, styled the Del & Chesapeake R.
Il. Co. having in view the construction of
a road from Port Penn, on the Del Bay,
to the Maryland line. This enterprise has
been hitherto prevented by the before-men-
TONED monopoly, soon to expire by limita-
ton, and was considered an important link
in the air. line route projected by Major
Reybold and parties in New York. 1t has
been suggested, that il the State of Della
ware would loan means and credit to COM
pany for the construction of q road from
Dover or some point below there to con-
fect with Media Road, in Pennsylvania,
so as to have an independent conmunica-
tion with New York, that the taxable citi-
zens would be greatly benefited thereby,
in great reduction in the cost of trans
portation of all commodities, notwithstand-
ing the outlay in the construction of the
road. Should the contemplated road from
Washington to New York b. built, con-
nection with that road would be very de-
sirable
The feasibility of water transportation
of fruits and vegetables to New York has
become matter of consideration and in
vestigation, from the Chesapeake a. Del |
Canal. Delaware City. Port Penn, Dover,
Lewstown, and from points intermediate
Shipments from Kent county, by water
to New York, last season, were considered |
very successful.
There can be no doubt that many of the |
people of the State and the Maryland por.
tion of the peninsula are Interested in the
success of the railroads constructed and in
process of construction, and the future well
fare of these roads. There should certain
ly be no antagonism between corporate in
terests and individual interests, where the
remedy, advantageous to both, could be SO
easily applied.
A reasonable rate of charges for freight,
very much below the present rates, would |
be an antidotc for all the ills which en-
gross public attention, if such tariff of
rates could be made permanent so as to
inspire confidence in the minds of produ-
GERS as to certainty of tho cost of trans
portation. Such system would doubtless
induce far greater effort in the line of pro-
duction, as well in largely extended or
chards as in the other productions of which
this peninsula is SO fruitful.
The present Railroad policy is averso to
a regular course of progress, and differ
ent and reasonable system would go very
far towards preventing other avenues Of
shipment being established, and at the
same time greatly accelerate and increase
its business and promote the interests of
our people, who will by mutual interest
become the friends and supporters of all
the roads. CITIZEN.