New-York tribune., 1873-05-03
LFTTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
YEw-YonK, TEXAS, AND EASTERN ASIA.

NEW-YOBK, TEXAS, AND EASTERN ASIA.
To ths Ed5tOr Of The Tribune.
SIR: The project of establishing a new and
shorter route for the commerce between Europe and
Eastern Asia has been discussed FOR centuries COrtez
in answer 20 a letter written 10 MIN by the Emperor
Charles on this subject. when t supposed that a
strait existed the American continents said
that the discovery would make the King OF Spain
master OF so many kingdoms. he might consider himself
10 be the lord Of the world" When discovered.
however that such strait did not exist. the construc-
ton OF a ship canal across the Isthmus found many
advocates Many routes have been examined. but as
vet one has been found practicable except at an
enormous cost.
estimated 10 amount, IN an annual aggregate
OF imports and imports, 20 over SOOOO0,OOO This
ever such facilities offered win enable It to
do a smaller cost and IN less time than DY the
sueZ Canal The construction OF the Texas Pacific Rail-
way san Diego, on the Pacific Ocean. will secure this
end II viii be the shortest and most expeditions route
Being the 32d parallel OF north latitude It's operation
will never be retarded by either snow or extreme cold
miles nearer New York than San Francisco s by the
roads already constructed Steamers cannot carry coal
enough take them across the Pacific to advantage 50
that tbey must stop at the Sandwich Islands for sup
ply, which the direct route from san Diego 70
The local transportation OF this road will be very great
For almost It's entire length through Texas 10 VIII pass
through the finest cotton country ON the continent The
price OF this cotton VIII always JUSTIFY lts tIahspora
ton while that paid for wheat and corn VIII not In
this Will nave great advantage us
completion will be pressed with great energy large
force has been at work for than Six months the
line in Texas. anu within Few days work has been
commenced san Diego, the terminus on the Pacific
owing the favorable adaptation OF the country the
rails will be put down with great rapldty and its man
ayers expect TO complete IL within the next three years
Washington, April %, 1873. j. d. b.
DETERIORATION OF COUNTRY SCHOOLS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: There is in the minds of mldde-aged
and elderly people impression that the schools IN the
rural districts improving; IN fact 10 is the rm
belief OF many that they not good as formerly
and whether good bad at least this Is true much the
larger portion in this small that in many
districts they giving up their district organizations
and ceasing TO have schools. OF those districts that
continue their schools the number is small and the
tendance still smaller. Il waste OF money 10
employ teacher for three half dozen scholars anu
the teacher that will the school at the lowest price
H almost sure 70 be the employed regardless OF quail
incations. Hence comes a low standard among the
teachers, aud all the evils or an incompetent head hnd
their way into the school. Throughout the dairy dis
ries the tendency FOR the small farms 10 be Joined
the larger ones OF some farmer more epepsing than
his neghOors buys several small farms that united
into one. thus reducing the number OF
homes aud consequently the inhabitants OF his
neighborhOod. The late census points to the
reduction OF population IN the rural districts throughout
most the older The lnferOry Of the schools
In the country compared with the city or village. is
fruitful OF the sale of the Old home ana remoya
TO some place where good schools be had This Ia
exactly the OF what u might and should be- The
country should Do the most desirable place in a
the land for the education of youth IL should have an
the advantages OF good schoolhouses and competent
teachers. The rural schools should be 80 good a. ~
tempt tire parents with families 90 leave the Town au
city, and avail themselves Of better hclhtos III A"Vt
country homes The experience far gained serves 70
the farm the best place u ny the Ou loI
LAs datls. OF e. 1.gze ser cent VI to sSH,-SssEa