Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-01-26

Eliior Free Press q Times.
The pressing demsrd for the Caughnawaga
Canal and for the opening Of water channel fo-
steam propeliers of large capacity, between the
east and west, is to secure cheap tranfport, 80 as
to tighten the burdens upon the East, and en-
courage the settlement of the West Unit!
wster route Of this character shall be opened, 50
as to secure competitive transportation, railroad
companies will continue to charge rates which
will enable them to increase the amount OF their
capital stock, out Of their extra earnings. It
clearly is not for the interests Of the producing
and consuming portion of the people, to have
this water lire opened snd controlled by the rail-
roads, with which it is 20 compete if it is, then
its great value to the community viii be PAR
italy lol.. 1t il true that rivers Sld lakes on
the Ike are free to sll rayigators, and not sub
ject 70 be put under the protection Of receiver
ship; but the canals will be subject 70 be used
only upon the payment Of to.lf, which will 4e
fixed BY those who control them. The railroad
interests Of the country do not favor canals,
which will reduce the cost Of transportation. In
this they are in error. Had the country attained
its growth in population and products, it would,
perhsps, be sound. Bat ours is 4 country just
beginning to grow aud develop, snd it growth
and increase in population and products, will
be rspii or slow, in proportion to cheap or ez-
pensive transportation OF the products Of the
west to the seabo.rj. The merchandise AMI pas
sengsr tra;. which requires quick transit will be
by rail and this will ncreAse rspidly az the pro
duee traffic, which will depend upon cheap, rather
than rapid transit. The sctual cost to railroads,
Of transporting the cosrse products THE Yves;
to the lea board, constitute the greater par; Of
the whole CO... OF equipment snd operating tx
penses, and the great charges Of transport be- /
comes such burden upon the producer, that it |
greatly checks the growth Of the West, as well |
as the passenger travel and merchandise traffic /
The amount Of merchandise and manufactures 1
sent West, must depend upon the numbers Of /
prosperous people West, and the travel, upon the /
amount Of business between the East and West. (
Il is proved thst the most proftsble railroads in
the world, are those which traverse nayiysble /
water lines, and rely upo1 merchandise and .
passenger traffic, and thus save themselves the 1
expenses of large equipment, 70 transport
coarse products Railroads are in their infancy,
and railroad men are grasping even At the ex-
penss Of sound policy Especially FOR the coun-
try). 1t is useless Tor the producer, the manu-
fscturer, the merchant and consumer to look up,
mploringly TO railroad kings, for relief. They
80 ka1-
power, which will enable them to make all the
money they want. and hold all the power they
,sn get.
Cheap transport, is the demand Of the people
md not of the railroads. And hence the people
must build their own canals get government
lid if they can't is Sc just as government si1
TO railroads. The great error is in expecting too
much of the government. which has nothing to
give, except Whist it has acquired by taxation,
Yr at great expense Of blood and treasure.
LEVI UNDERWOOD.