The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-05-08
THE TRANSPORTATION QUESTION
Keepers Of the senate Cosnmittee-Seu-
ator Windows speech.


In the Senate, on the 2ith, Mr.. Window
presented the report Of the Committee on
transportation. and made a lengthy speech
in explsnation and advocacy thereof. lie
said.
The Committee have come TO the conclusion
that no substantial reduction In the cost OF
transportation l. 10 be anticipated from I'M
regulated competition between existing rail-
WAYS, nor is competition 10 be induced by au-
thorizing the construction OF additional fines,
IL they are 10 be under private management
and control. A. 10 the power Of Congress-
under the Constitution. 20 regulate Interstate
commerce, the Committee ind that Congress.
in It's discretion. and under IT, responsibility
"a the people. may
menis, vehicles and agents engaged in trans
porting commodities from one State into and
through another shall be governed, whether
such transportation j. by land or by water.
=. That IL may appropriate money for the
construction Of railways or canals. where the
same shall be necessary for the regulation Of
commerce.
3. That il may incorporate company with
authority 10 construct.
4. That IL NAV exercise the right Of emf
nent domain within State, in order TO pro-
vide for the construction Of said railways or
canals.
5. II may. in the exercise Of the right OF
eminent domain. take for public use. paying
just compensation therefor, any existing rail-
way or canal owned by private persons or
corporations.
These propositions are discussed 81 con~id-
cradle length i'm the report Of the committee,
and the decision Of the courts from which
they are deduced are there cited. After
most careful consideration Of the merits OF
various proposed improvements, taking into
account the cost, practicability and probable
advantages Of each, the committee have come
TO the unanimous conclusion that the follow
ing are the most feasible and advantageous
channels Of commerce 10 be created or inn
proved by the National Government. unless
Congress shall act upon the subject, namely
/. The Mississippi River.
.. A continuous water-line Of adequate ca
pacity from the Mississippi TO the City Of
New York via the Northern lakes
3. a route adequate TO the wants of COM
merce through the central tier Of States from
the Mississippi River via the Ohio and Kama
wha rivers 10 point in West Virginia. and
thence by canal and slack-water or bv a
freight railway TO tide-water.
4. A route from the Mississippi River via 4
the Ohio and Tennessee rivers 10 a point in \
Alabama OF Tennessee. and thence BY canal 4
and sack-wster or BY freight railway TO the 4
ocean.
The committee estimate the cost Of the I'M
Of the Mississippi River al $4,000
and Wisconsin River Canal. Hennepin Canal,
and enlargement Of the New York canals.
he cost j. estimated at sl9.O00.0 600: Of the
central route, including radical improvements
n the Ohio River. TO give six or seven feet of
navigation at low water. and OF the Kanawha
River 70 give six feet Of water. SIS 900 900:
md connection BY canal or freight railway
o tide-water in the Virginia Canal. 10 cost
,55,coOOC, or railroad. S25.OO0.Oo0: of the
,outhern route, for the Improvement of the
tennessee River. 10 give three feet Of naviga-
ION. S5.0co,00O; and construction Of canal or
reight railway 10 the Atlantic Ocean AT q cost
espectively Of 80, 600 900 or S35.0oo000. II
he canal be constructed the total cost will be
bout s15s 100000. III the railroads a. chosen
otal cost about Si20,Oo0,00. An actual ex-
'enditure Of from s3O.0o0.000 10 S35.Op0.DDO
'er annum Will he required for six wears.
Vhen the whole work can be completed. and
he resulting benefits will annually repay more
ban the entire cost.
But, am asked. how i money TO be raised
Or these improvements. | reply. by a sy~-
I'm Of rigid ec@nOmy in all expenditures not
bs0lutely necessary, by which nearly enough
an be saved for this purpose; second. by the
.-ue Of public improvement bonds: or third.
v taxatione If the latter policy j. adopted.
suggest that a restoration Of the tax on tea
nd coffee will produce about go. 900 900 per
mum. which will be sufficient 10 complete
he entire work In six years. The repeal Of
hat tax has caused but little Of any Frduc-
ion in the cost Of these articles. and it, re-
torati0n would not materially increase IL.
Ii the end ~ six years the tax could be ne
called, and these great public works |
Tould stand forever a. monument. TO the ,
Fisdom Of the present Congress. | do not
flieye. however. that it would be necessary
o issue bonds. or 10 levy additional taxes.
The Inauguration o. a system OF internal inn
movements indicated would ~ stimulate the
BUSINESS interests Of the country that we
would find IL easier " raise the money men,
Toned than il l. now 10 meet the existing OBJ