New Orleans Republican., 1873-06-27
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

oned railroads and canals. " heie'ei 'ne
people Of any particular section OF 'he
American Union have been duly impressed
with the importance o. these SEe's aoS.i'-
a-ie, to a nations growth and prosperity
in ali that appertains to wealth and great
ness. that particular section has been
bountifully benefited by the CONSTRUCTION
of such work, O. internal improvement.
History tells Us tha: il the early
days Of the republic. the want ot
suffic;en: skill and perseverance. not
less than Of adequate pec1n'ary
means. had long rendered abo1tive
every attempt to facilitate the intercourse
betyeer the distant parts Of the United
States By artificial navigation; and that to
New York i, due the honor Of having ac-
complished the frs. American canal OF
anv considerable extent. We are told the
proiect OF uniting the waters of the lakes
on the northwestern border Of that State
with the Atlantic had early occupied
the attention Of Le- public spir-
tied and scientific men. As early
as 1910 the Legislature created
a board OF commissioners to investigate
the subject. After mature deliberation
they reported that the work was OF I'M
mense utility and was pract;cable; but
that in their opinion the expense was tco
great for individuals or private corpora
tions to accomplish, and suggested that
it should be undertaken by the national
government or individual States. Ac-
cordingly the Legislature requested mem
bers Of Congress from the State OF
New York to bring the subject
before Congress and ask national aid in
the construction of the great work. Sew
eral States Interested in the project were
ready to use their influence with Con-
gress for national aid in the accomplish
ment of the grand undertaking. but the
war of 1912 interviewed and further pro-
ceedings in the matter were suspended
until the close of the war. which took
place three years afterward. In 1915 the
State of New York. being more deeply
impressed than ever Of the Importance OF
connecting the lakes on her border with
the Atlantic by the construction of canal
to connect with the Hudson river. deter
mined to push forward the work at once.
relying upon her own resources to accom-
plish it. Operations commenced on the
fourth of July. 1917, and the first boat
from Lake Erie arrived at New York on
the tweuty-sixth of October. 1925. There
was a necessity for prompt action at the
time on the part Of the people of the En-
pire State. Her great city then
had a rival near her own door
that thus far had successfully COM
peted with her for the mastery in popula-
ton and trade. Philadelphia then con-
tanned a greater population than New
York. and nothing but the superior fore
sight and enterprise Of the people Of the
Empire State which led to the origina-
ton and completion OF the Erie canal and
other improvements. could have given
New York that ascendency owe, Philadel-
phia i. has since attained. The Erie
canal, 35s miles in length. and
Champlain canal. constructed at the
same time. being Gl miles in length.
were built at all expense OF s9,G29,O 600.
The receipts Of the canal have Ions since
paid the above sum. which constituted
what was known as the canal debt, beside
adding greatly to the growth and pros
perity of the State and city o: New York.
The usefulness of these canals and the
transportation effected by them were
soon demonstrated to be greater
than their most sanguine projectors
had anticipated. Their annual tolls soon
run up to over a million OF dollars,
and since the extinguishmens Of
the canal debt they have doubtless proven
a great source of revenue to the State. in
addition to the vast amount Of commerce
they have conveyed to the metropolis Of
our country. The rapid growth Of New
York, though largely facilitated by her
canals. has also been greatly enhanced by
the building OF railroads. Her people
business men and property holders--un-
like the people Of New Orleans.
have gladly extended the hand Of
welcome to all works OF internal
improvement. and railroads connect her
with all important points. And this has
been the course Of all the leading cities in
this country with the exception OF New
Orleans Here it seems, according 10 q
statement made by the trustees of the New
Orleans. Mobile and Texas railroad. ''the
corporation has constructed railroad
from Mobile to New Orleans at cost Of
about six millions of dollars, without
any contribution to il by any State.
county or city through which it passes.
The route was difficult. steady and un-
interrupted labor unattainable. and the
entrance OF the road into the cities was
opposed like an invasion of public
enemy. instead Of receiving friendly vel
come" The two hundred and ten miles
Of the road completed has cost the CON-
pany. according to the trustees. about
eight millions Of dollars. and this has
been constructed, i. is claimed, without any
assistance il any appreciable degree by
State aid or endowment. And it is further
stated tina: ''the rights Of way and the
dennt grounds in this CITY have been used