Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1873-09-20
RAILROAD LOGIC.


have been of late years engrafted upon
the science of social economy, quite
probably there is no one more stupid
than that contained in the assertion, that
railroads should precede the settlement
of country, and that the great body Of
hardy pioneers should follow an iron
road rather than one hewed out by their
own sturdy arms. In effect, it is the
same as If one were to claim that, under
natural laws, supply must preeede de-
mand and that what is not yet wanted,
must be furnished in advance of the
possibilities of its use.
Practically carried out, the theory fur
nishes Ian apt illustration of the old
adage of "putting the cart before the
horse"
Despite the assertions and arguments
made in support of what has grown to
be a governmental custom, it may nev-
erthe:ess be safely asserted that railroads
built before the settlement of the coun-
try demands them as a necessary means
of transportation, are productive of
nothing but evil.
Possibly the claim that railroads
through a new land open the country to
settlement, might be a good one, if only
every settler were possessed of sufficient
money to purchase that which it should
be their right to have for notning-land
as well as air, sunlight and
fructifving showers. But, undoubt-
edly there are but few settlers who
are thus possessed of the needful wealth
and the result is that the land becomes
secured to so ne great landed corporation
and practical serfdom is imposed upon
the people. l-s
For example. A road 800 miles in
length is built by land donations, or by
subsidies of both CASH and lands, at a
cost of $4,000, 900, one-half being a
Credit Mobilier swindle. There is no
patronage for the road. The country is
not settled. 1t may be improved in ten
years and it may still be a barren wild
erness at the expiration of fifty years.
In the meantime what is TO become OF
the $50, 200, 900? 1t is entirely wasted,
or even worse. because of having con-
sumed itself twice over within that
time. I.
And that this is not speculative view
based on theory alone is proven by ac-
tual observation of existing lines. The
statistics of the great through route to
the Pacific-built at cost of $94, ,OOO, ,O0O,
| one-half of which was swindle-show
that even i'm trans-continental transpor-
tation it does not pay except as its profits
| are drawn from the people themselves.
| Its facilities for carrying articles ol
| Asiatic commerce fail to reduce theil
price as low as they were before the
road was built; its mail carriage il
chiefly for the benefit of it's own en-
| ployes although transported at the ex-
| pense of the people; its removal of mill
tary supplies men and munitions are
almost entirely needed for its own pro.
lection; its resources are used, to large
extent, for the benefit of mineral
spectators; its rates of freight are rem
dered profitable by imperious exactions
from pOwerless patrons; and in every
respect its management shows fearful
waste-a legitimate result Of furnishing 8
supply in advance and in excess of de.
mand.
| Nor are these statements at all exag-
gerated. Their truth Is proven by stern
experience. Corporations, and theil
rings master the whole country, ant
then, to secure profit, the charges arr
so made that working farmers and labor.
ing artizans are entirely stripped OF
their Income: until by the time the
country is actually settled, it will bt
wholly at the mercy of these organiza.
tions, unless death-blow shall be deal,
| to the entire system. For
County to be settled without transporta-
ton. may be, and undoubtedly is impos-
siblr, but the converse of the proposition
is no less true-that a road cannot pay
without actual settlers, except by ru
inous and shameful extortion.
These facts are being recognized an